The Ultimate Scotland Packing List

As a female, Scotland can be relatively hard to pack for.  You have to account for any kind of weather and even in the summer months, if you plan to go north, it can be quite chilly.  If you’re planning to hike and be active, you’ll need to bring heavier gear with you; so it’s important to plan ahead and be smart about what you will actually need in Scotland to ensure you’re bags aren’t too heavy.

I’ve been to Scotland twice – once in the fall and once in the summer – so I’ve got my packing list down!  This is the ultimate Scotland packing list to ensure that you bring the appropriate things to Scotland; without overpacking.

 

Are you planning a trip to Scotland?  Don’t miss…

• Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Scotland
• Everything You Need to Know About Planning a Trip to Scotland
• The Best 10 Day Scotland Itinerary
• The Best 2 Day Isle of Skye Itinerary
• How to Spend 2 Days in Edinburgh
• 9 Best Places to Visit in Scotland (that aren’t Edinburgh)

 

The Best Luggage to Bring to Scotland

First things first when it comes to packing – you need luggage to put your things in.  My biggest tip for traveling – especially through Scotland – is to not overpack.  Overpacking just leads to hassle and headaches and it’s not worth it.  Especially if you’re going to be carrying your own things around, most hotels in Scotland don’t have elevators.  With that being said – here are my favorite pieces of luggage to bring with you to Scotland!

• Travel Backpack
• Carry-on/checked luggage
• Packing cubes (helps with organization)
• Toiletry bag
• AirTags (this isn’t luggage, but I bought a pack after my bags got lost for 10 days in Saudi Arabia and now I’ll never travel without them!)

 

 

Scotland Essentials

Next up:  Your Scottish essentials!  These are things that you cannot travel to Scotland without… in my opinion.  As of 2024, there are no special documents that Americans need to bring when traveling to Scotland, as long as you don’t plan on staying longer than 6 months.  If you do plan to stay longer than 6 months, you will need a visa.

• Passport (needs >6 months before expiration)
• Prescription medication(s)
• Travel insurance – I would not travel to Scotland without travel insurance; I personally use and recommend SafetyWing
• Midge repellent (this is something you can buy once you get to Scotland; it’s suggested if you’re heading to the highlands from June-September)

 

Read more about why I recommend travel insurance…

• Why You Need Travel Insurance – From a Nurse’s Perspective
• 9 Most Important Things to Know About Travel Medical Insurance

 

Clothing/Shoes to Pack for Scotland

When packing clothing and figuring out what to wear in Scotland, the first step is knowing how long you’re going to be gone for so that you don’t over or under pack.  The second thing you should know about Scotland is that it is generally very cool and rainy throughout the year.  For this reason, I recommend dressing warmer than you might otherwise dress and to always keep an umbrella with you.  (For reference, I’ve traveled to Scotland in October/November and June and both times I experienced overcast, rainy, and very cool/cold days).

This section includes clothing that I’d recommend for any female traveling to Scotland.  I’ve included packing lists for different times/seasons so that you know what to pack based on what time of the year you’ll be visiting.  (By the way, if you’re going on an extended trip – I recommend packing at least 12-pairs of underwear so that you’re not constantly doing laundry).

 

Packing for Scotland During Rainy Season

The rainy season in Scotland is typically from late autumn to early spring (October to March), with the wettest months usually being November and December.  During this period, you can expect frequent showers and overcast skies.  However, if you’re heading north – I would prepare for rain throughout the year.

Here are the “rainy season” items I recommend bringing to Scotland…

• Rain boots
• Umbrella
• Poncho
• Rain jacket
• Waterproof Hat

 

 

Packing for Scotland During Summer Months

The summer months in Scotland are June, July, and August. During this time, the weather is generally warmer, with longer daylight hours.  This is what I would pack for summer in Scotland making sure to prioritize layers in case of cooler days…

• Jeans
• Linen pants
• Shorts
• Light coat
• Light shirt (short-sleeve)
• Light shirt (long-sleeve)
• Sunglasses
• Tennis shoes
• Sandals
• Hat

 

 

Packing for Scotland During Winter Months

The winter months in Scotland are December-February.  During this period, temperatures are colder, and you can expect shorter daylight hours and a higher chance of snow, especially in the Highlands.  This is what I would pack if you’re visiting Scotland in the winter months…

• Wool socks
• Turtleneck
• Wool coat
• Winter set
• Neck Warmer
• Ear Warmer
• Gloves
• Hat
• Scarf
• Thermal base layer
• Winter coat
• Winter boots
• Insulated jeans
• Sweater

 

 

Packing for Scotland if You’re Hiking/Adventuring

One of the most popular things to do when you visit Scotland is to hike in the highlands or just overall venture around outdoors.  These are the things I’d pack if I planned to hike/adventure around Scotland…

• Waist pack
• Joggers
• Lightweight pullover
• Lightweight hiking socks
• Hiking shoes

 

 

Toiletries to Pack for Scotland

When packing your toiletries, keep in mind whether you’re planning to check a bag or carry-on.  Depending on which you’re doing, you might need to keep your liquids less than 3.4 fl oz.  (By the way, I like these containers if you’re carry-on only!).

• Tampons/menstrual cup
• Toothbrush/toothpaste
• Skincare products
• Shampoo/conditioner
• Razor

 

 

Electronics to Pack for Scotland

Electronics are certainly not a necessity to travel to Scotland, but in this section I’ll share with you the electronics I took with me when I visited Scotland.  Of course, if you love capturing pictures and videos, you’ll more than likely be wanting to take a camera and maybe your computer to edit your photos; but if that isn’t your thing – you can skip over this section!

• Drone
• Camera (I use this Canon camera)
• GoPro (for smooth videos and underwater captures)
• AirPods (for the airplane)
• Laptop
• iPad/Kindle (for books)
• Selfie light (to take photos/videos in dark places)
• Portable charger

 

Pro tip:  If you’re traveling with a lot of electronics/chargers, I use this to keep everything organized.

 

Health Items to Pack for Scotland

As a nurse, of course I can’t not include health items that I would recommend packing if you visit Scotland.  Below you’ll find a few health related items that I took with me and they all came in handy!

• Pill box (this is better for a shorter trip so you can count out your prescription/non-prescription pills and you don’t have to take a bulky bottle with you)
• First aid kit (there are scissors in this first aid kit so if you’re doing carry-on only, make sure to remove them before packing!)
• Bandaids (included in first aid kit linked above)
• Unisom (I always travel with Unisom to help me catch some Zzz’s on the airplane and to help with jet lag – I also use this mask to get some sleep on the plane)
• Advil (included in first aid kit linked above)

 

 

Packing Tips & Tricks

1.  If you’re going to be gone a long time and staying in rental properties, make sure to pack miniature Tide PODS to wash your clothes (I purchase the whole box and then pack a few with me – in a bag – on each trip)

2.  Travel with reusable plastic bags – it never fails that I always need a bag for something

3.  For more space, roll your clothes instead of folding them

4.  Weigh your bag before getting to the airport; and know your baggage limits for each airline you fly.  In Asia, airlines can be strict about weight for carry-on bags and I’ve had to check several carry-on bags for not meeting the weight requirement.  (You can purchase this luggage scale to easily weigh your bags!).

 

FAQ

Q:  “What do people usually wear in Scotland?”

• A:  Overall, I would say that people in Scotland are pretty casual.  In cities like Edinburgh or Glasgow, people certainly dress nice while out and about.  But if you’re planning to head north, it seems that people are more casual and more bundled up (simply because it’s colder).

Q:  “Can I wear leggings in Scotland?”

• A:  Yes and no.  You can certainly get away with wearing leggings in places like Isle of Skye or any place that you might be hiking around.  However, I would not suggest wearing them out to lunch or while visiting one of the cities/bigger towns.  Overall, people throughout Europe don’t wear leggings out and about like Americans do.

Q:  “What do I need before traveling to Scotland?”

• A:  You’ll need your passport and that’s about it!  You don’t need any paperwork or vaccines to enter Scotland (if you’re an American).

 

Scotland Essentials – What You Need & Need to Know About Visiting Scotland

 

I hope that you found this packing list for Scotland helpful!  If you have any questions about packing or visiting Scotland in general, let me know in the comments below!

 

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For more information on things to see and do in Scotland, make sure to check out my Instagram page/highlight reel by searching “#ppinscotland” or under my highlights for “Scotland”; alternatively, head to my TikTok and search for the saved “Scotland” highlight

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