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Scotland Packing List: What to Pack for Visiting Scotland

Scotland is only about the size of Maine in terms of square miles yet it attracted over 15.5 million trips in 2018. Its castles, golf courses, stunning scenery and popularity from TV and movie filming sites, makes this a must visit for many travelers. I am one of them.

And as an occasional freelancer and a former intern at VisitBritain (the official tourist board of Great Britain), Scotland is frequently on my mind. Out of all the incredible destinations Britain has to offer, somehow my top preference has been to return to Scotland.

Through my trips during different seasons, I’ve often looked at the my weather app prior to packing and wondered what I should really pack. So I’ve put together this list to help you plan for your trip.

Read more: Edinburgh Scotland: 6 Day Itinerary

24 Hours in Glasgow and a Day Trip to the Scottish Highlands

Contents

  1. Scotland’s Climate
  2. What to Pack
    1. Handbags, Purses, Backpacks and Luggage
    2. Clothes for Men
      1. Winter Packing List
      2. Spring Packing List
      3. Summer Packing List
      4. Fall Packing List
    3. Clothes for Women
      1. Winter Packing List
      2. Spring Packing List
      3. Summer Packing List
      4. Fall Packing List
    4. Footwear
    5. Toiletries and Hygiene
    6. Electronics
    7. Travel Essentials and Miscellaneous 
  3. Things to Do Before You Leave Home Checklist
  4. Top Attractions, Must Visit Sites
  5. Download a Printable Version
  6. Further Reading

Scotland’s Climate

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Oftentimes, rainy and gray days are what come to mind when mentioning British weather. And while Scotland does get its rainy and dreary days, it’s not necessarily always like that. Raymond Bonner said it perfectly, “If you don’t like Scottish weather, wait 30 minutes, and it is likely to change.”

Be prepared for all types of weather in one day. But generally it’s warmer in the summer at a low to mid 60 degrees Fahrenheit and colder in the winter in the low to mid 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature in Scotland:

This graph gives you an overview of Edinburgh’s average high and low temperature by month:

This graph depicts the average high and low temperatures in Scotland.
Photo Credit: Holiday-Weather.com

As with climate anywhere around the world, there always may be a heatwave or a cold front coming on the day you’re visiting, so check the current temperatures to make slight changes to your packing if necessary. 

Rainfall in Edinburgh:

On my last trip, I checked my phone’s weather app every day a week before my trip to monitor the rain. It said it was going to rain all day every day. But somehow I knew not to believe that.

In New York City, when the weather app says it’s going to rain, it’s going to rain. And probably for many hours or the whole day. In Scotland, when the weather app says it’s going to rain, there might be a light sprinkle of rain for 15-minutes. Then it’d be sunny all of a sudden. Or maybe you might get a quick downpour, then sun.

This graph depicts the average chance of rain by month in Scotland.
Photo Credit: Holiday-Weather.com

What to Pack

[download a printable version: Men’s or Women’s]

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Handbags, Purses, Backpacks and Luggage

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Your choice of luggage will depend on your travel style. If you’re planning a city break to Edinburgh or Glasgow, a road trip to the Highlands or hiking Cairngorm National Park or coastal paths, or a combination of all three, you could take a hard shell suitcase and combine it with a daypack backpack.

Luggage

For the main item, your suitcase, I’m a fan of traveling with a carry-on size suitcase to avoid the hassles of checking in. One I’ve used multiple times is the Victorinox Spectra Carry-On, which you can also find on Amazon.

Victorinox Spectra Carry-On Luggage at JFK airport
Victorinox Spectra Carry-On

If a carry-on suitcase isn’t big enough for you, check out these larger suitcases:

  • For a medium sized version of the Spectra, there’s Spectra 2.0 Expandable Medium Case. It’s 27.2”, so you’ll need to check it in. 
  • And if you’re traveling for more than a week or are a heavy packer, or maybe you need to bring a ton of gear for winter or other activities, there is an even larger Spectra, Spectra 2.0 Large Case. The Spectra line features an ultra-strong polycarbonate hard shell and wheels that glide effortlessly. Read our review of the carry-on here.
  • These from the Spectra line may be in the $300s and up, but you could always opt for other suitcases, which aren’t exactly the same in terms of technology and look, but gets the same job done. Check out our 8 best suitcases under $50. 

Daypacks

Manhattan Portage Harbor Backpack

For your days out exploring Scotland, it’s worth taking a small backpack or tote bag.

Small backpacks are great for walking around a city to adventuring in the Highlands and beyond. Here are some to consider:

  • REI Co-op Flash 18 Pack by REI is an affordable option to use for hiking or walking around a city. It features one main compartment for everything you need and includes a hip and sternum strap to distribute the weight.
  • Thule EnRoute Triumph 2 Daypack by Thule is a city adventure to rural adventure pack. It fits a 15” laptop and if you’re out hiking, you can switch out the laptop for a hydration reservoir that can fit in the laptop compartment. I’ve used this bag for a trip to Suriname and though it is a daypack, I fit everything I needed for a four night trip. 
  • Thule Covert DSLR Rolltop Backpack by Thule is an urban style pack, which can fit everything you need for photography – the DSLR, lens storage compartments and laptop sleeve. 

If you don’t like backpacks or just want to go the tote bag route, here are some functional ones to consider:

  • Anti-Theft Heritage Tote by Travelon is a crossbody and shoulder bag combo. Its unique anti-theft feature means its front pocket is easily accessible (for both you and thieves) so the pockets have zippers that lock. Plus, the outer material and straps are slash-resistant. 
  • Anti-Theft Tailored Tote is another by Travelon and slightly larger than the Heritage Tote, but has the same convertible crossbody to shoulder bag functionality, locking zippers and slash-resistant material. It features specific interior pockets for your passport and cards.
  • Metro Tote with RFID security exclusive to eBags is budget friendly. It’s slightly smaller than the two Travelon totes mentioned here, but has ample storage and compartments. It even features a luggage pass-thru so your tote can sit on top of your suitcase as you roll it around the airport. 

My most recent trip to Scotland was spent just in cities, so if your trip is the same, you could take a stylish yet functional convertible backpack like I do.

Here are two:

  • Voyageur Jena Convertible Backpack by Tumi is a city chic to business travel bag that can be used as a crossbody bag, backpack, or briefcase. 
  • Anti Theft Convertible Backpack by baggallini is another option – equally chic at a quarter of the price. Its unique feature is the zipper opening that sits against your back, making it anti-theft. Plus it comes with a separate phone wristlet. 

Sports Luggage

It’s worth noting a few ‘specialty’ luggage and bags you might need for your trip. Scotland is the home of golf and if you’re a golfer, you can’t miss playing at one of over 550 golf courses across the country. 

I play golf and have brought my clubs as far as Kuala Lumpur and know how important it is to keep my clubs (especially my favorite purple Ping irons!) safe as it travels and gets possibly thrown around carelessly while being loaded onto the plane.

For your golf trip, you may consider these bags:

Clothes for Men

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Here’s a guideline of what to pack for each season, including what you’ll wear to the airport. It’s always nice not to worry about lugging around a ton of things while traveling, so this list is for lightweight packing. But feel free to add more of for example, t-shirts as you see fit and based on your personal style.

You could also hand wash your own clothes while in Scotland and a Scrubba may be worth taking. You can read our Scrubba review and come to a conclusion if its a right fit for your own travels.

Or why not go shopping while in Scotland? Wear one of your souvenirs to take home while you’re still in the country. You can stop by one of the multiple souvenir shops along the Royal Mile for a cashmere scarf or sweater, or head to Walker Slater for a classic tweed blazer and other menswear at their location on Victoria Street.

1 Week Scotland Winter Packing List for Men:

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  • 1 coat 
  • 1 insulated jacket (waterproof)
  • 1 sweater/fleece
  • 1 button up/dress shirt
  • 1 t-shirt
  • 3 long sleeve shirts (t-shirt, thermal, moisture wicking)
  • 2 pairs of pants (jeans, chinos, dress pants)
  • sleepwear
  • 5 underwear
  • thermal underwear (like Uniqlo’s Heattech Long Johns)
  • swimwear (if you’re headed to a spa or indoor swimming)
  • 4 pairs of socks (preferably cold weather specific socks like these from REI)
  • 2 pairs of shoes (casual walking/dress shoes/hiking if necessary)
  • gloves
  • hat
  • scarf or Buff (What’s a Buff? Here’s our review) 
  • sunglasses

Packing for Scotland is all about layering. You’ll need to layer up to enjoy Scotland’s outdoors, but there’s also much to do indoors, so you’ll feel more comfortable when you can easily take layers off as you go in and back on as you head out. 

1 Week Scotland Spring Packing List for Men:

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  • 1 coat 
  • 1 insulated jacket (waterproof) or 1 sports jacket/denim/vest for transitioning weather (if towards the end of spring)
  • 1 sweater/fleece
  • 1 button up/dress shirt
  • 2 t-shirts
  • 1 polo
  • 2 long sleeve shirts (t-shirt, thermal, moisture wicking)
  • 2 pairs of pants (jeans, chinos, dress pants)
  • sleepwear
  • 5 underwear
  • swimwear (if you’re headed to a spa or indoor swimming)
  • 4 pairs of socks (preferably cold weather specific socks like these from REI)
  • 2 pairs of shoes (casual walking/dress shoes/hiking if necessary)
  • gloves 
  • hat
  • scarf or Buff 
  • sunglasses

It’s only slightly warmer in spring, so you may still need a lot of similar items from the winter list.

1 Week Scotland Summer Packing List for Men:

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  • 1 sports jacket/denim/vest and or 1 lightweight rain jacket 
  • 1 lightweight sweater 
  • 4 t-shirts
  • 1 polo
  • 1 button up shirt
  • 2 pairs of pants (jeans, chinos, dress pants)
  • 1 shorts
  • 1 swimwear, if you plan on swimming
  • 5 underwear
  • 3 pairs of socks
  • 2 pairs of shoes (walking/dress/sandals/hiking if necessary)
  • sleepwear
  • hat
  • sunglasses

If you’re from somewhere that’s typically considered cold, you may feel Scotland’s cool and temperate summers are warm. So you could get away with wearing t-shirts and packing a light jacket or sweater. But if you get cold easily, you may need to adjust to add more lightweight long sleeve shirts. 

1 Week Scotland Fall Packing List for Men:

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  • 1 coat
  • 1 insulated jacket (waterproof) 
  • 2 sweaters/fleece
  • 2 t-shirts
  • 1 button up shirt
  • 2 long sleeve shirts (t-shirt, thermal, moisture wicking)
  • 2 pairs of pants (jeans, chinos, dress pants)
  • 1 swimwear (if you’re headed to a spa or indoor swimming)
  • 5 underwear
  • 3 pairs of socks
  • 2 pairs of shoes (casual walking/dress shoes/hiking if necessary)
  • sleepwear
  • sunglasses
  • hat 
  • scarf or Buff 
  • gloves (optional)

Temperatures are similar to spring temperatures during the fall, so you’ll need to pack similar items. 

Note: Please remember to check the forecast before your trip to Scotland to adjust accordingly and based on your activities, as these are just guidelines. 

Clothes for Women

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As mentioned in the Clothes for Men section, this is just a guideline. You can always hand wash your own clothes (or use a Scrubba, you can read our Scrubba review).

Or prepare to go shopping. One of my favorite stores that’s only in the UK is Holland Cooper. Her only store in Scotland is at Edinburgh’s shopping area, Multrees Walk and you can stop by for coats, tweed skirts, and everything you need for a complete equestrian style look and perfect for the climate in Britain.

1 Week Scotland Winter Packing List for Women:

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  • 1 winter coat
  • 1 insulated waterproof jacket 
  • 1 cashmere or wool cardigan
  • 1 fleece or cashmere turtleneck sweater
  • 1 t-shirt
  • 2 blouses (long sleeved, to layer with cardigan)
  • skirt or casual dress (to wear with tights) 
  • 1 pants (jeans or hiking pants, depending on activities planned) 
  • 1 dress (for afternoon teas, special dinners)
  • tights (for dresses and skirts, Uniqlo’s Heattech Tights are my pick)
  • accessories (costume jewelry, belts)
  • pajamas
  • 1 long thermal underwear (again, Uniqlo has a collection of warm innerwear)
  • 4 underwear (or more if not handwashing)
  • 2 bras
  • swimwear (if you’re headed to a spa or indoor swimming)
  • 2 pairs of shoes (walking and dress – ankle boots, hiking boots if necessary) 
  • knee high boots (optional)
  • 3 pairs of socks (preferably cold weather socks like Merino wool)
  • 1 pair of gloves
  • 1 beanie/wool hat
  • 1 scarf
  • sunglasses
  • 1 small purse

It’s all about layering and it’s always better to wear too many layers than to feel too cold as you explore Scotland. 

1 Week Scotland Spring Packing List for Women:

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  • 1 coat (spring trench coat, pea coat)
  • 1 insulated waterproof jacket
  • 1 cashmere or wool cardigan
  • 2 blouses
  • 2 t-shirts (one long and one short sleeves)
  • 1 skirt or casual dress
  • tights (for dresses and skirts)
  • 1 pants (jeans or hiking pants, depending on activities planned)
  • 1 dress (for afternoon teas, special dinners)
  • accessories (costume jewelry, belts)
  • pajamas
  • 1 long thermal underwear (optional, if you get cold easily)
  • 4 underwear (or more if not handwashing)
  • 2 bras
  • swimwear (if you’re headed to a spa or indoor swimming)
  • 2 pairs of shoes (walking and dress – ankle boots, hiking boots if necessary) 
  • 3 pairs of socks
  • 1 pair of gloves (optional, if you get cold easily)
  • 1 hat (optional)
  • 1 scarf
  • sunglasses
  • 1 small purse

It’s still cold in spring, so this list is similar to the winter one. However, it might be slightly warmer depending on which time of spring you visit, so you could potentially wear a lighter coat, or pack less bulky sweaters than in winter. 

1 Week Scotland Summer Packing List for Women:

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  • 1 lightweight sweater or cardigan 
  • 1 denim jacket
  • 1 lightweight rain jacket 
  • 2 t-shirts
  • 1 skirt
  • 3 blouses
  • 1 pants (jeans, joggers, hiking, dress pants)
  • 2 dresses (one for afternoon teas or special dinners and another casual one) 
  • accessories (costume jewelry, belts)
  • pajamas
  • 2 bras
  • 4 underwear (or more if not handwashing)
  • 1 swimwear (if you plan on swimming)
  • 3 pairs of shoes (sandals, walking shoes and dress shoes)
  • 3 pair of socks
  • hat (optional)
  • sunglasses
  • 1 small purse

Unless you’re in Scotland during a heatwave, it’s best to prepare for a temperate summer. The daytime will be warm, especially under the sun, but may get cooler during the nights. Plan accordingly. If you’re someone who tends to wear more dresses than skirts or pants versus dresses or vice versa, you can switch some of these items around.  

1 Week Scotland Fall Packing List for Women:

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  • 1 coat (fall trench coat, pea coat)
  • 1 insulated waterproof jacket
  • 1 cashmere or wool cardigan
  • 1 fleece or cashmere turtleneck sweater
  • 1 blouse
  • 2 t-shirts (one long and one short sleeves)
  • 1 skirt or casual dress
  • tights (for dresses and skirts)
  • 1 pants (jeans or hiking pants, depending on activities planned)
  • 1 dress (for afternoon teas, special dinners)
  • accessories (costume jewelry, belts)
  • pajamas
  • 1 long thermal underwear (optional, if you get cold easily)
  • 4 underwear (or more if not handwashing)
  • 2 bras
  • swimwear (if you’re headed to a spa or indoor swimming)
  • 2 pairs of shoes (walking and dress – ankle boots, hiking boots if necessary) 
  • 3 pairs of socks
  • 1 pair of gloves (optional, if you get cold easily)
  • 1 beanie/wool hat
  • 1 scarf
  • sunglasses
  • 1 small purse

It’s time to prepare for cold weather. Check the temperature before you go as it might be the tail end of summer and still a bit warm. But either way, be prepared with layers. 

Note: Please remember to check the forecast before your trip to Scotland to adjust accordingly and based on your activities as these are just guidelines. 

Footwear

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Let’s talk a little more about the footwear mentioned in the what to pack lists. 

Lowa San Francisco shoes review
Lowa San Francisco GTX

Shoes for Men

For men, casual walking shoes are a must, and depending on your activities, dress shoes are usually good to have and hiking shoes if you’re going to hike and preferably waterproof ones.

Walking Shoes
  • Spring:
    • Must: Walking shoes
      • Any athletic shoe like the Nike Revolution 5 as mentioned in the Winter section will work. 
      • You could also consider a Lowa San Francisco GTX® Surround®. It’s pricier than a regular pair of Nikes but it’s waterproof with Gore-Tex technology, which will come in handy during one of those bouts of rain. 
    • Optional: Dress shoes 
      • See winter. 
    • Optional: Hiking/Snow boots 
      • See winter.
Skora Core
  • Summer:
    • Must: Walking shoes
    • Optional: Sandals 
      • The temperature may be warm enough for you to wear sandals. If so, you can get one that can double as a hiking shoe. The Keen Uneeks have been a favorite and they have many other popular styles, including the Keen Newport. 
    • Optional: Dress shoes 
      • See winter
    • Optional: Hiking boots
      • Hiking sandals as described above or take your pick from an extensive collection of men’s hiking boots at REI.
  • Fall: 
    • Must: Walking shoes
      • See winter or spring. 
    • Optional: Dress shoes 
      • See winter.
    • Optional: Hiking boots 
      • See winter.

Shoes for Women

For women, you’ll need a pair of walking shoes, and I always like to have a pair of ankle boots that I know I can be comfortable standing in all day long. 

  • Winter: 
  • Spring:
    • Must: Walking shoes
      • See winter.
      • Also Reebok Classics white tennis shoes can be worn with jeans or casual dresses and skirts.
    • Optional: Ankle boots
      • SOREL Cate™ Cut Out are ankle boots that come in waterproof full grain leather or waterproof suede and just the right amount of heel. There’s also a version with a higher shaft. The waterproof feature makes it a perfect springtime shoe.
    • Optional: Hiking boots 
      • Keen Pyrenees are waterproof with a leather construction and provide some ankle stability.
  • Summer:
    • Must: Walking shoes 
      • See spring. 
    • Optional: Sandals
      • Sorel has a variety of flat or heeled sandals that are comfortable for all day walking with rubber soles for traction, good for walking on old cobblestone streets. Joanie™ II Ankle Strap Sandal for a 2.75 inch heel and the Sorel Ella Sandal if flats are more of your thing. 
    • Optional: Hiking boots 
      • For summer hikes, the Keen Whisper water friendly outdoor sandals can be packed in your bag.
      • Or if you still prefer regular hiking boots, again the Keen Pyrenees is a classic leather hiking boots. 
  • Fall: 
    • Must: Walking shoes
      • See winter. 
    • Must: Ankle boots
      • See winter
    • Optional: Snow boots 
      • You may need to pull out the cold weather boots, if so refer to the winter list.
    • Optional: Hiking boots 
      • See winter.

Toiletries and Hygiene

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You can always buy essentials that you’ve forgotten like a toothbrush and toothpaste from pharmacies like Boots, which you can find all over cities like Edinburgh. But it’s best to be prepared, especially with medicines or specific brands you need. 

Also, remember the 3-1-1 rule from TSA if you plan on only using a carry-on bag. For any liquid items you have, each bottle must be under 100 ml and fit in a quart sized bag. 

Here’s a list of some toiletries not to forget: 

  • Toothbrush
  • Toothpaste
  • Floss
  • Lip balm
  • Deodorant 
  • Hair brush/comb
  • Makeup (including makeup removers)
  • Glasses
  • Contact lens/contact lens solution and case 
  • Unless you need something specific or prefer a certain brand, these are optional if you’re staying at hotels:
    • Shampoo
    • Body soap
    • Hand soap
    • Lotion
  • Medicines/Vitamins 
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Pack of tissues 

Electronics

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Most people, myself included are always within an arm’s length of their smartphones and that might be the only electronic item you need, unless your work requires you to be online or you’re a photographer looking to capture the stunning scenery Scotland has to offer.

Here’s a list of some electronics and accessories you may need to pack for your trip. And you may not be too far from an Apple store, located in major cities like Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh if something ever breaks or you forget something: 

  • Phone (as your camera, music player, alarm clock and whatever else phones can do nowadays) 
  • Phone charger – wall outlet and wires 
  • Headphones (I don’t usually travel with anything too fancy, so these noise cancelling bluetooth headphones from Anker do the trick) 
  • Power bank/external battery (Check out Anker’s variety of high capacity, compact and pocket sized portable chargers.)
  • Travel outlet adapter or converter (To pack if you’re coming from another country. A lot of hotels have USB ports so you can plug your phone right into the wall via USB, but if not, you may need a travel adapter like this one from Insten which can be used for trips outside of the UK too.) 
  • Other optional items:
    • Watch
    • Tablet or eReader 
    • Laptop and laptop charger 
    • Flashlight 
    • DSLR/SLR camera 
    • Hard drive – image backup

Wifi

Wifi is free in most hotels and you can usually access it in cafes and restaurants in the cities. 

Travel Essentials and Miscellaneous 

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And here’s a list of some essentials and miscellaneous items you shouldn’t forget to bring:  

  • Passport with appropriate visa 
  • Any kind of tickets you need – whether stored electronically or printed out.
  • Wallet
  • Credit cards 
    • I’ve rarely used cash while in Scotland. As Americans, we’re still behind in terms of payment methods. Everyone uses contactless cards, while we Americans are still using the chip – which I thought was pretty advanced, but I guess not really.
      • Remember to sign the back of your credit card. I can’t tell you the countless amounts of times I’ve been asked to see an ID with a signature because I didn’t sign the back of my credit card. (Also you need some sort of pen that won’t rub off the back of a Chase Sapphire credit card. I’ve tried signing it with a Sharpie and it kept rubbing off.)
  • Cash 
    • It’s always a good idea to bring a few notes just in case. 
  • Luggage lock 
    • Some suitcases have it built in, but maybe not for all pockets. We put together a list of 7 Best Luggage Locks for Travelers, which are all TSA friendly and pretty inexpensive. 
  • Optional
    • Gear ties (These are some nifty little tools to use for organizing or packing. Read our review and see if this is something you may need.)
    • Travel pillow 
    • A book (As a bibliophile, I always travel with a book and book sleeve – currently reading Dracula and am taking it on my next flight.)

Things to Do Before You Leave Home Checklist

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Trip planning: 

  • Book the flight
  • Book your accommodation 
  • Research – get guidebooks, internet research
  • List out what you want to do
  • Put it into an itinerary 
  • Figure out on ground transportation 

A few days before the trip:

  • Pay bills
  • Put mail on hold or make your neighbors aware 
  • Check the temperature and make small changes to luggage if necessary
  • Do laundry
  • Arrange a pet sitter (if you have a pet)
  •  Download apps, ebooks, and music prior to trip
  • Manage work/ email and create an email vacation message
  • Leave an itinerary and flight information with a friend or family member 

Reminders to do right before the trip: 

  • Reconfirm flight time
  • Print out tickets/Add to your phone
  • Charge all electronics 
  • Get directions to the airport
  • Lock all doors and windows
  • Make sure all lights are off
  • Check the stovetop and oven
  • Take out the trash

Packing Tips

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“Lay out all your clothes and all your money. Then, take half the clothes and twice the money.”

Susan Heller
  • It helps that Scotland isn’t an entirely different world than the United States. So if you ever need something, like a shirt from Zara or H&M, those stores are there.  
  • Use packing cubes. If you don’t want to purchase packing cubes, you can use these packing cubes alternatives. 
  • Leave a little extra room in your suitcase. I always pack what I’m going to wear to the airport in the suitcase. I might change to another outfit on the way back, or switch hotels during my trip and will wear something different. This way I know everything will fit. Plus, it may leave room for souvenirs. 
  • Prepare to hand wash some clothes, instead of packing one whole outfit for every single day. We’ve mentioned the Scrubba a few times, but you could always just use the sink and a bar of soap. 
  • Have another bag – your daypack or purse to put valuables and essentials like your passport in. Don’t put your money and tickets in your suitcase, just in case there isn’t enough space in the overhead compartments in the plane and you need to check in the bag. Or if you are already planning on checking in your bag. 

These are two things I contemplated taking before my first trip to Scotland and this is what I’ve concluded:

  • Umbrella – in Edinburgh I noticed not many people used umbrellas. My cousin who lives there also said no one really uses umbrellas, mostly because of the shortness and the wind. They just put up their coat hoods or ran right into the rain. Bear in mind it wasn’t pouring so they weren’t going to get drenched. But whenever a little bit of rain starts to fall, I feel New Yorkers (where I’m based) pull out their umbrellas immediately, with good reason because usually when rain starts in NYC, it’s going to rain for more than just five minutes. So I felt more comfortable taking a small, lightweight umbrella. And yes, the last time I was there I was the only one walking around with an umbrella. And it was so windy I struggled with it. 
  • Rain boots – I really wanted to wear my shiny new Hunter rain boots on one of my trips to Scotland. I brought it, and turns out first off no one wore them and second, it never rained enough to where I needed it. It’d be wiser to take a pair of waterproof hiking boots so you can use that for hiking too.

Top Attractions, Must Visit Sites

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It’s hard to put together a must-do list for an entire country, as there is so much to do and all depending on your interests. So I’ll include a very high-level suggested list of things you could potentially do on your first week in Scotland. Trust me, you’ll want to return. 

  • Day 1: Edinburgh
    • Fly into Edinburgh 
    • See the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyrood House
    • Afternoon tea at The Balmoral
  • Day 2: Edinburgh
    • Arthur’s Seat hiking or Calton Hill view
    • Walk to Dean’s Village and Circus Lane 
    • Scottish Whisky Experience
  • Day 3: Glasgow
    • Train to Glasgow
    • Join a city tour
    • Walk Buchanan Street 
    • Go for a meal at Ashton Lane
    • Visit the Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum
  • Day 4: Highlands
    • Drive north to Loch Lomond
    • Quad biking with Quadmania
    • Inveraray Castle
    • Wander around the town of Luss
    • Relax at The Spa at Cameron House
  • Day 5: For William 
    • Hike to Ben Nevis 
  • Day 6: St. Andrews Golf 
    • Explore St. Andrews
    • Play a round of golf at the Old Course 
  • Day 7: Edinburgh 
    • Head back to Edinburgh for flight 
    • If you have time, take a quick day trip to Abbotsford House, the home of Scottish author Sir Walter Scott 
    • Fly home 

This already covers seven days and hasn’t even touched the Cairngorms National Park, Aberdeen, Orkney Islands, Inverness, Isle of Skye, the whisky trail, Perthshire and way too many to mention, so you’ll have plenty of reason to return. 

Read more: Scotland Itineraries

Download a Printable Version

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[download a printable version of the Men’s and Women’s packing lists]

Further Reading

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Did you know golf originated in Scotland? Or that Scotland is home to the oldest tree in Europe? Check this out:

Source: Highland Store

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