Ultimate Scotland Packing List: What to wear in Scotland
Are you wondering what to wear in Scotland? The Scottish weather has been notoriously known for its unpredictability. One minute the sun will be out; the next, it will be tipping it down in the rain. So if you are unsure what to add to your Scotland packing list, I can understand why! I have made this complete guide to what to bring on a Scotland trip. This blog post will find every essential item for a Scottish holiday. Whether you are going on a relaxing vacation or planning on hiking every day, you will find everything you need to know here!
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What is the weather like in Scotland?
The weather in Scotland can be unpredictable, even in summer. No matter the time of year, you will most likely experience all four seasons in one day. It can be hot and sunny in the morning and then cold and rainy in the afternoon. The average temperature in summer ranges from 15°C (59°F) to 17°C (63°F). In comparison, the temperature in winter is around 5°C (41°F). Find more information on the individual season and the weather below.
Seasons in Scotland:
| Winter | December, January, and February are generally the coldest months in Scotland. The average temperature is around 5°C (41°F), and the average number of days with snowfall ranges from 15 to 20 days. The peaks and mountains experience about 100 days of snowfall. It makes it an excellent destination for snowsports such as skiing! |
| Spring | March, April, and May have a temperature that ranges from around 7°C (45°F) to 13°C (55°F). It is one of the most beautiful seasons to visit Scotland as it is when the flowers will start to bloom. In April, you could get quite a few showers, though. |
| Summer | June, July, and August are usually the warmest months of the year in Scotland. The temperature ranges from 15°C (59°F) to 17°C (63°F). During summer, you will also receive more than 16 hours of sunlight! It is four hours more than London. You can enjoy long summer nights in Scotland. The further up north you are, the less sunlight. You may not even get any darkness if you are at Scotland’s most northern point! |
| Autumn | During autumn, September, October, and November, you can expect the temperature to range from 8°C (46°F) to 14°C (57°F). It is my favourite time of the year to visit Scotland. The autumn colours are beautiful and vibrant; you will find fiery reds, oranges, and yellows. It is the perfect time for photographers to visit. |
Essential Documents to pack
- Passport
- Driving License
- Credit Card / Visa / Debit
- Flight tickets
Tips: What to pack for Scotland
Three pairs of shoes are the max amount of shoes you should pack. Do not overpack fancy pairs of shoes for this holiday. You will not need it. Pack one pair of nice shoes, one pair of casual shoes (sneakers), and one pair of waterproof walking shoes.
Rain gear, even during summer, is essential. You may see the weather forecast, and it may very well tell you that it will be sunny all week when you are going but do not, I repeat, do not leave your rain gear at home! Even on sunny days when you arrive, I recommend taking rain gear with you in a backpack.
Bring warm clothes even during summer. Bring hats, scarves, and layers. It can (and probably will) get colder than the average temperature. It will likely also rain, so pack some hats, scarves, layers, sweaters, and more!
But also do not forget to pack lighter clothes. Even though the Scottish weather, most of the time, will be cloudy, rainy, and windy, you will have those days during summer when the temperatures decide to skyrocket. You do not want to be stuck without any tops, dresses, or lighter clothes if you are going during summer/late spring.
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Scotland Packing List
1. Headphones & Audiobooks
Whether you are going on a tour bus or you are a passenger on a road trip, or even if you are the driver, you should always pack headphones and audiobooks! You can find my favourite noise-canceling headphones here. There will be extended hours on the road; if you are not driving, this is the perfect way to spend your time. If you are driving, audiobooks are a great way to wind down when you arrive tired at the accommodation. You can start your 30-Day Free Trial with Audible here!
2. Rain jacket & trousers
The first and most important item of clothing you will need on your Scotland Packing list is a rain jacket and trousers. It is the answer to your question: what to wear in Scotland? You will need to wear rain gear 80% of the time. It does not matter what season you visit; you will need this on your list. I recommend always taking these with you wherever you go during your trip. Bring these with you if you are going on a day trip and it is cloudy but not raining. If it is hot and sunny, bring these with you. You can never really predict the weather in Scotland, and neither can Google, so do not rely entirely on what it tells you! A pair of waterproof gloves is also a good thing to have. You can find some of my favourite pieces of rain gear here:
- Rain Jacket in women’s size
- Rain Jacket in men’s size
- Rain pants in women’s size
- Rain pants in men’s size
- Waterproof gloves in women’s size
- Waterproof gloves in men’s size
3. Hiking gear
Whether you are just going on casual, leisurely walks or you want to go on Munros; you will need to put hiking gear on your Scotland packing list. A pair of sneakers and jeans will not do! If you are wondering what to wear in Scotland while hiking, these are a few of the essential hiking items:
Waterproof hiking trousers
Hiking socks
Waterproof walking shoes
4. Thermal layers
Are you wondering what to pack for Scotland in autumn and winter? One of the essential things to pack for Scotland is thermal layers. These will be a lifesaver on those cold, windy days. Without them, I can guarantee you will be freezing, so make sure you pack them! Here are a few of my favourite thermal layers:
5. Packing Cubes
Packing Cubes are great to have on your Scotland packing list. You can organize your gear into sections such as hiking clothes, nicer clothes, and casual clothes. It is also a great way to keep wet, clean clothes seperate from dry clothes. In my opinion, they are essential for an enjoyable trip to Scotland. Here is one of the packing cubes I recommend: Pack of 6 Packing Cubes
6. Scarf and hat
Scarves and hats are essential if you are wondering what to pack for Scotland, especially if you are going during spring, autumn, or winter. I would probably also pack them for the summertime, just in case. The wind can be biting in Scotland, so do not underestimate how much a good scarf and a warm hat can help you.
7. A cap or bucket hat
If you are coming during summer and wondering what to wear in Scotland this summer, you need to get a cap or a bucket hat. When the sun gets out in Scotland, it can quickly burn your head or even give you a headache. I recommend getting a cap or a bucket hat if you are going during late spring or summer.
8. A nice coat
If you are going on a more city-based holiday and wondering what to wear in Scotland, I recommend bringing a warm, plaid coat. The Scots love their nice coats, and with the plaid, you will fit right into the Scottish style. I found my jacket in a flea market; however, there are many ways to find the perfect city coat.
9. Sneakers
A good pair of sneakers is essential to bring on your Scotland trip. Especially if you are going on many city and town walks, if you are just going on a hiking trip, you may get away with just bringing a pair of hiking boots. However, if you are going on any city adventure, I recommend bringing a pair of sneakers.
10. Sports bra
A few good sports bras are one of the most important things to add to your Scotland packing list. You will thank yourself later, trust me. As you will most likely be doing a lot of walking, hiking in the mountains, or city walking, it does not matter. I recommend bringing at least two sports bras, if not more, as you will live in these during your Scotland trip. Click here to find new sports bras.
11. Umbrella
If you are going to bigger cities such as Edinburgh, Glasgow, Inverness, Aberdeen, etc., bring an umbrella! They are the perfect way to hide from the rain and not get completely soaked. Even rain gear can fail you when it comes to Scottish weather. If you are mostly going on outdoor adventures away from the cities, you might not need an umbrella, but I still strongly recommend bringing one as it is a great way to shield yourself from the rain even more than with rain clothes.
12. Travel adapter
Take it from someone who forgot their travel adapter at home; it is nearly impossible to find a travel adapter in Scotland, even in Edinburgh; at least I struggled! The only travel adapters that are easy to find are International to UK plugs; however, they are the wrong way around for you. Please make sure you buy one ahead of time and bring it with you! Here is one of the best international travel adapters:
13. Sunglasses
If you are wondering what to wear in Scotland regarding accessories, I will tell you; sunglasses. They are essential for me on any trip, especially during spring and summer. I would highly recommend taking a pair of sunglasses with you if you are going during spring or summer. If you are going during autumn or winter, you might not need to. I would personally always bring a pair. However, during autumn and winter, it will rain or even snow a lot more, and for this reason, you may not need it.
14. Sunscreen
You must bring sunscreen, whether it is summer, spring, autumn, or winter. Most people skip sunscreen during cloudier days. However, I would recommend always wearing sunscreen on your face. It does not make sense to wear sunscreen if you are wearing winter clothes. However, always sunscreen your face! During summer, I would bring an SPF 50. My favourite sunscreens are:
15. Music Playlists for the road
Besides all the clothing gear, products, electronics, etc., it is essential to have at least a few playlists created for the road! Use Spotify and download it so you can play it offline or make an old-school CD (if your car allows it!). Either way, make sure you make a playlist. A lot of the time, when driving through Scotland, you will find the connection is terrible. So if you do not bring your music, you may have no music.
16. Thermos Flask
Bringing a thermos flask is the perfect way to keep your drink hot or cold. If you have sweltering summer days, this is the ideal way to carry out water with you at all times. If you have cold winter days, this is a great way to keep your hot drink with you hot for long periods. Either way, a thermos flask is one of the most important things to add to your Scotland packing list. My favourite thermos flask is the Hydro Flask, click here to get it yourself.
17. Daypack
You will need a daypack to pack all the essential items you will bring. It is where you will need to keep your extra socks, clothes, sunscreen, thermos flask, hats, rain gear, and so on. Even better if waterproof. If not, you will need a rain cover for it! You do not want all the stuff you packed to get soaked. My favourite daypack is the Swede City Rucksack, click here to get it yourself.
18. Camera, Waterproof Gear, and Camera Bag
If you are a photographer, you must bring your camera, a waterproof camera bag, and rain gear! You do not want to miss out on moments because it is raining, and your lens or camera body cannot handle it. Make sure you bring:
19. Travel Towel
Even if you are going to hotels with towels included, I recommend taking your towel. A travel towel that folds up very small is a great idea. If you want to go swimming at any point or have just been soaked by rain, it is very nice to know you have a dry towel ready to use. Here is one of the best light-weight travel towels out there.
20. A nice shirt, pair of pants and shoes
If you are wondering what to wear in Scotland besides practical clothes, then I will tell you. While nice shirts, pants, and shoes should not be what takes up most of your suitcase or backpack, I do recommend taking at least one pair of nice pants, a few nice blouses/tops, and one pair of nice shoes. You will need these for dinners out, going to the bigger cities such as Glasgow, Edinburgh, and more.
21. Portable Charger
If you are wondering what to pack for Scotland besides clothing items, a portable charger is an answer. Days on the road are long, and you will use your phone a lot for directions, information, and more. A portable charger is a must to add to your Scotland packing list. You can find some of the best portable chargers here:
22. Dresses
I recommend taking 1-2 comfortable dresses with you for a Scotland trip. It is essential to bring during summer, as it is light and easy to pack; it is also super easy to put on and can be a very comfortable clothing choice. If it is winter, you may not need it; however, if you bring it, ensure you get something to layer underneath it.
23. Google Maps Offline
I have officially gone through what to wear in Scotland in all seasons. One of the most important things to bring besides clothes is offline Google Maps. A lot of the time, there will be no connection in Scotland, which means no internet or Google Maps online. It is essential to download Google Maps Offline or at least have a physical map with you! You can download the maps here.
24. List of Fuel Stops
Another essential thing to download or write down is fuel stops. Write down all the addresses of fuel stations on your way to the next destination. If you do this, you will avoid last-minute stress or even being stuck somewhere with no connection and no way to get to a fuel station.
25. A Scotland Guide Book
Buying a physical Scotland Guide Book is essential to add to your Scotland packing list. You can find all the inspiration you need here, without requiring any internet to google things such as addresses. So when the connection is out, you will have this to guide you! You can find some of my favourite Scotland Guide Books here:
