Scotland is beautiful, but it does have a few quirks. It’s damp, there are midges, and even the power sockets are a bit odd. So here’s what you should pack.
Rain and wind protection
There’s a reason the Highlands are so lushly green: rain. Twice as much on the west coast as in the east. A really good outdoor jacket that keeps out rain and wind is an absolutely worthwhile investment.
Waterproof trousers are a good idea too. There are lightweight ones you can pull on quickly, which also have zips down the outside of the legs. These trousers are invaluable if you want to get a bit closer to nature. When we visited the Camster Cairns, for example, we were wearing waterproof trousers like these and didn’t have to worry about sliding through the low passages. That said, make sure the waterproof overtrousers are also sturdy – which unfortunately is exactly what makes them expensive. My trousers cost nearly 300 euros.
Sturdy, water-resistant footwear
Even if you’re only getting around by rental car: Scotland is damp almost all the time. Paths are sometimes muddy, and it rains a lot. So pack suitable footwear too. If you want to do any hiking at all, you won’t get around trekking shoes anyway. A pair of hiking boots or sturdy shoes is essential in the Highlands.
Quick-drying clothing
I also packed a very lightweight, fast-drying pair of trousers. I’d put them on after hikes and in hostels. Even if they got wet for some reason, they dried quickly on the body.
Adapters for sockets in Scotland and the UK
Important! Whether you need to charge camera batteries or a laptop: the whole of the UK uses three-pin sockets (so-called Type G, or BS 1363). Plenty of adapters for these are available online.
When it comes to electricity I’m a bit particular, so I don’t go for the cheapest option available. And don’t forget: bring a multi-socket power strip for the trip, since you’ll usually want to run several devices and charging stations at once.
Bring a light
It gets dark at night in Scotland. No, not dark like at home. It gets DARK! Often you can’t even make out the way to the restaurant 100 metres away, or even to the loo.
If you’re travelling by car, you don’t need to worry too much about weight. So bring as powerful a torch as you can.
If you’re travelling with a backpack and tent, a torch might be too heavy. I always used to bring a trekking storm lantern for candles. Costs around 25 euros plus candles.
Pack midge protection
Whether it’s a hat with a midge net attached, or a tried-and-tested repellent – midges are everywhere in Scotland. In the end, the right clothing helps here too, for example items that can be sealed tightly at the cuffs. More tips on warding off midges can be found here.
