Packing List & Clothing
Year-round: Layers, Layers, Layers
The Scottish weather is unpredictable — four seasons in one day is no exaggeration. The solution: Layering.
- Base: T-shirt or merino wool functional shirt
- Insulation: Fleece or lightweight down jacket
- Outer layer: Water- and windproof jacket — THE most important piece of clothing! Gore-Tex or equivalent.
- Pants: Hiking or travel pants (quick-drying). Jeans are the enemy in Scotland: wet, heavy, never dry.
- Shoes: Waterproof hiking boots for the Highlands, comfortable shoes for the cities.
Summer Extras
- Midge repellent: Smidge or Avon Skin So Soft (buy in Scotland).
- Head net: For Highlands and west coast (Jun–Aug).
- Sunscreen: Even when cloudy — the UV index can be surprisingly high.
- Light hat and gloves: It can be cold on the mountains even in July.
Winter Extras
- Warm hat, scarf, gloves: Essential from November.
- Thermal underwear: For outdoor activities.
- Boots with good soles: Against ice and snow in the Highlands.
Always have with you
- Travel adapter: Type G (British 3-pin plug) — don't forget!
- Reusable water bottle: Tap water is drinkable everywhere and excellent.
- Passport: Since Brexit, the identity card is no longer sufficient!
💡 Tipp
In Scotland, there's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing — that's what the Scots say themselves. Invest in a good waterproof jacket, and you'll be prepared for anything. The best clothing can be found locally: Trespass, Mountain Warehouse, and Cotswold have branches in every city and often good sale offers.
