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Heading on an adventure and don’t know how to pack for Scotland?
I visited Scotland for the first time of many in January of 2019. I traveled to Scotland this first time on a solo trip after spending a weekend in Iceland. Since then I have been to Scotland on an NC500 three week road trip, and then I returned recently in October 2023 for a luxury familiarization trip to meet with our partners in Edinburgh, Glasgow, the highlands, and Ayreshire. Of course, trying to figure out how to pack for Scotland no matter the season is no easy task, but I think that is why you have come to this Scotland Packing Guide!.
When you are compiling your Scotland Packing List it is important to remember that the weather in this beautiful country is constantly changing. This means layer, layer layer! Scotland is also quite a windy and rainy destination, so you will want waterproof outerwear that is going to break the wind and keep you dry!
I highly encourage you to keep reading on to find out my favorite Scotland Packing Tips and make it your own. Make sure to adjust for the season you will be visiting, and any other destinations along the way!
If you ever need any help with your trip, just send me an email and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can!
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The Essentials you need to Pack for Scotland Travels
Hat // Your female traveller’s packing list for Scotland would not be complete without a hat! The wind is wild in Scotland so for my fashion-forward Boho Travellers who want to try and contain their locks, an adorable beret does wonders, or a beanie in the cold. A bucket hat is always a win, and bonus points if it’s waterproof!
Sunglasses // Don’t leave your best sunnies behind! While the weather in Scotland is usually overcast, it never is a bad idea to pack your sungalsses.
Refillable Water Bottle // Definitely do NOT forget your pack your refillable water bottle when you go on any holiday! Some people like to travel with a collapsible water bottle, like this one from Hydaway, but I prefer to have a filtered bottle so I know what I am drinking is safe. You’ll rarely ever catch me without my Brita Water Bottle!
Raincoat/Windbreaker // Rain is inevitable for a trip to Scotland (as well as wind) and no Scotland Packing Guide would be complete without this item! You will want to invest in a good jacket and pack a light coat that does both of these things! You’ll usually find me in my Yellow Helly Hansen Raincoat that keeps me warm and dry.
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Tops to Pack for Scotland
3-4 Tees & Longsleeves // Keeping things simple, be sure to pack a few of your favorite simple tee shirts and long sleeves to pair with your linen pants, shorts, and skirts!
4-5 Tops/ Tunics // You’ll want plenty of top options to wear while you are in Scotland! I like to opt for cute long sleeve blouses, in thick linen or cotton. Turtlenecks are also a go-to during fall & winter.
2-3 Cardigans/Sweaters // You might have guessed by now that Helly Hansen is my go-to for active and outdoor gear, that is why there is so much of it listed in this Scotland Packing Guide for Female Travellers! Their mid-layer stuff is just as good as their base and outerwear, and I am in LOVE with all of my Helly Hansen Fleece Midlayers! You’ll also want to bring a few cute cardigans or sweaters for layering when the weather decides to turn!
1-2 pairs of Pants // Scotland is a cooler place, even in the middle of summer the weather stays mild. My go – to trousers for Scotland are my mom jeans, in both a beige and denim, as they just sort of fit the “vibe” and are super comfy no matter what you get into during the day!
2 Leggings // I love my Lululemon leggings (honestly who doesn’t) and they are an essential for any hikes you may be going on while in Scotland! I for my trip to Scotland I also packed this pair from Target that I didn’t mind getting messed up!
2-3 Skirts // I can’t travel without packing at least one flowy skirt in my bag! I am obsessing over THIS skirt I snagged before I went to Scotland that is ankle length and red tartan, it’s just perfect, I would be completely amiss if I didn’t mention it in this Scotland packing Guide. You can’t go wrong with any tweed options or tartan, but I also love this plain burnt orange maxi skirt that can double as a petticoat to make my other skirts more full!
2-3 Dresses // You know I love a good cottagecore or boho style maxi or midi dress, so my female traveler’s packing guide for Scotland would be incomplete without listing a few! Packing 2 -3 dresses when you go Scotland will make your evenings out in the city or for a wee dram at the local whisky pub all the more elegant. I have a Kara Thoms dress that looks like this one here from Free People, but this one is a third of the price!
I am also obsessed with THIS dress from KJP – its PERFECT for Scotland!
Purse // There are three key elements when packing a purse for travel 1. you want it to zip 2. you want it to be crossbody 3. you want it to be comfortable and cute and able to carry all you need. If you are not a photographer, you can bring any bag from home that fits these three elements (and if you’re shopping I stan this Madewell bag). If you are a photographer (don’t forget to check out my photography gear down below!) then you may want to also consider packing a camera bag that doubles as a purse! I recently discovered this Claremont Bag from Lo & Sons and have decided to go with it after a long and arduous journey of finding the perfect camera bag! I hope it can help you out too!
Scarves // Keeping yourself bundled up in a cute scarf is a surefire way to elevate your Scotland wardrobe and keep warm. Opt for a tartan or darker colour to fit the mood of this lovely country.
Sneakers & Boots // You will absolutely want a good pair of waterproof boots when you visit Scotland. I essentially lived in my Doc Martens, but a pair of rainboots are also a good idea. I also love to pack a waterproof heeled boot for the evenings.
Activewear // A trip to Scotland is full of adventure, so don’t forget to pack your activewear!
Socks // Never forget to pack these! 2-3 pairs should do the trick.
2 Bathing Costumes // It might seem silly to pack your swimsuit for a trip to Scotland, but you never know when some wild swimming or a spa may present itself!
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Camera Bag // While I love the Lo & Sons bag for everyday use, I usually bring quite a bit more gear with me on the trip than I bring out during the day. I use a WANDRD backpack as my personal item to store all my travel gear, and I don’t think I could live without it. It is compact, easy to use, and has great customizable storage compartments that seem to never end but are always easy to access. It’s also comfortable to wear and expandable.
Canon R7// This is the most recent addition to my camera family, and she took stunning photos in Scotland. The camera is also weather sealed, which is important in inclement Scottish weather!
GoPro // There is nothing that will beat. a GoPro for all of the underwater adventure filming and photography you need.
Memory Cards // There is nothing worse than getting somewhere and realizing that you forgot to put your memory card in your camera! I recommend traveling with 3-4 128 GB memory cards. This way you can hold enough photos for 1-2 days but not too many that if something happens to it, you’ll lose your footage from the en. ire trip! 1TB memory cards scare me!
*This post contains affiliate links at no cost to you.Why affiliate links?They help keep this blog running and a free resource for you to use!Thank you for your continued support.*