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23 Days in Scotland this September - Packing Approval?

Posted by (West Coast) on

I have learned so much from Forum posters! I appreciate detailed packing lists with a minimalist approach, before but especially after trips. From Scotland reports/lists it's clear effective rain and wind protection is most essential!
3 weeks September- my rain jacket is bulky. I should wear it on the plane and problem solved, but? Right now, if I pack it, everything fits in my July (5lb) carry on, but barely. British Air has a whopping 50+ lb allowance for cabin bag and personal item. I'm at about 30lb (20 +10) for both mine. with the list below.
There are a lot of 2 night stays for sink washing. I rewear everything 5-7 times, turning inside out at night and using fabric spray.
Wear jacket? And the hiking boots- they are lightweight. I know I should wear them on the plane, too, but…
I included brands because I also appreciate the “enablers” ;)
Hebrides Hiking Week (thanks to nyclibrarian and Pam for inspiration!)
Outerwear
Waterproof hip-length, hooded rain jacket (Protected Species, UK woman- owned company:)
Waterproof pants (old, Finisterre)
Lightweight fleece lined vest (old, Prana)
Lightweight cashmere beanie and neck gator
2 pr lightweight gloves (liner weight)
Waterproof mitts
(Folds flat, old) sun hat with netting (midges?)
Sun hat bucket style lays flat (old)
Stubble and Co waterproof backpack (personal item)
Waterproof cover (tiny, zips into a pouch)
Baggalini (zips- into- a- pocket) day pack that I plan to use on hiking days if not rainy, bring cover in case
Hiking clothes (for both tours)
3 pair Paka lightweight hiking socks
Water resistant/proof lightweight Vivo Barefoot hikers (they have a removable thermal liner)
? I also have a pair of super grippy chelsea- style water resistant leather boots. Those would be more flexible for muddy castle meadows and etc. The hikers are very rugged looking!
1 hiking leggings dark blue/black (old, Prana)
1 lightweight cargo hiking pants, black (old, Prana)
Lightweight Paka long sleeve hoodie UPF, gray
2 short sleeve tees (ONNO bamboo) brown, gray
1 long sleeve tee SPF (FreeFly) gray
1 long sleeve Paka tee, merino blend, black
Pockets vest (thick cotton) (Finisterre) beige
Deet wipes
Lightweight binoculars

Lay flat FitKicks water shoes? For beaches?

2 pr Patagonia quick dry unders
2 pr boy brief unders (wear 1 on plane)
2 Patagonia quick dry bras, wear one on plane
2 (very old) lightweight sleep pants/tees
flip flops for hotel/bathroom Minimal toiletries

Gate1 12 day Kaleidoscope of Scotland Tour
Mostly lots of bus time, 4-5 city days, some walking in potentially muddy fields, etc. plus islands

White ON lightweight sneakers (wear on plane)
2 pr white footie socks
Ruti travel skirt (mocha brown) midi length
Rutu travel barrel-style pants (black)
2 white LeSet/AYR cropped short sleeve tees
Black elbow length sleeve tee (dressiest option) (Garnet Hill)
Black and white thin stripe (on beige) thin merino sweater (old)
Lightweight beige cashmere cardigan (wear on plane) (old)
Rag and Bone “blue jean” sweatpants (wear on plane)

Misc (plane) in backpack (17”x7”x14”)
Tom Binh pocket crossbody (worn on me :)
2 stretch band style money belts (white/black)
Phone and tablet chargers, 2 UK adapters (so big!)
Wired earphones
Kindle Fire
A lot of snacks- I am gluten free and vegan
KN 95 masks
First aid kit in Sea-to-Summit small bathroom pouch (very comprehensive!)
The 3-1-1 zipped pouch
Small aluminum water bottle
Starbucks coffee tubes (often add to provided Nescafe!)
Little 4” square pocket unzips to 14 by 14” shoulder tote for city days/bus
Small Eddie Bauer duffel zips into itself (about 6") for planned purchases. (If I use it, I check my carry on through to home for return flights).
Thank you in advance!

Posted by
1130 posts

I don't know your physical fitness or your tolerance for schlepping bags. I don't think I could safely get a 30 pound bag in the overhead compartment by myself. I try to keep by carry-on to 17 pounds max and my personal item to 3 pounds. However, my waterproof, wind resistant rain jacket that hits mid thigh only weighs just over 11oz, so it's not bulky at all.

I also pack for 7-10 days regardless of the total length of my trip and visit a laundromat for 90 minutes, hopefully near a coffeeshop or pub. Will you have any free time between your tours?

Also, skip the duplicates. No matter how light something is, it all adds weight. Just looking at your non clothing items. Do you need 2 money belts, 2 chargers? Charge 1 during dinner, the other while you sleep.

You will find gluten free and vegan snacks in stores. Bring a starter supply and plan to do some shopping.

How heavy is your first aid kit? I have the small Sea to Summit toiletry pouch that holds my first aid kit, minimal laundry kit, minimal jewelry pouch and all my toiletries.

A plane backpack + shoulder tote + packable duffle? Choose 1 for multipurpose.

Save a few ounces here and there and suddenly your 5 pounds lighter.

Enjoy your trip. Scotland is beautiful.

Posted by
1269 posts

I agree with JeanM re: duplicate items. I count the following:
--3 pairs of gloves (2 liners and 1 waterproof "mitts"); take 1 liners
--5 pairs of shoes (1 hiking, 1 sneaker, 1 Chelsea boot, FitKicks and flip-flops); take hiking, FitKicks (because they are more versatile than flip-flops) and either sneakers or Chelsea boots. Wear heaviest on the plane.
--2 vests. I don't understand vests because I have a huge belly. Take one.
--2 sun hats. Take one. I don't know if there will be midges, but if there will, take the net one.
--3 backpacks. One is your main bag. One is your person item. One is packable (skip the waterproof cover for this bag and use the waterproof one if it's raining). Is the personal item too big for daypack? Because you also have:
--3 more bags: a "purse," a grocery-type tote and a packable duffel. That's 6 bags. I say drop either the tote or the packable backpack.
You have two vests, two sweaters and a hoodie. Could you maybe take a packable rain jacket instead of this bulky one you're talking about?

Posted by
349 posts

Thanks so much for your time, both!
This is the first international flight in years for me where I haven't weighed every ounce and had both size and weight limitations with carry on. But I still always pack as lightly as possible.
I plan on just 2 sets of shoes, sneakers and hikers. One hiker is clunkier in style ( they weigh the same) while the other is a hybrid. Vascillating which? I have read reviews where glorified sneakers were adequate. I really anticipate mud! I take flipflops for the hotel. The FitKicks take a surprisingly long time to dry, I just wondered about the many beaches.
I only have one full day ( besides a travel half day) for Edinburgh and definitely don't want to do laundry, but good suggestion!
As far as all the bags, it's interesting how we each evolve a system. I use whatever size personal item I'm allowed for planes and then only for storage along the way (the snacks, chargers, etc. I really like the lightweight backpack for hiking and the pocket tote is great for cities (holds coat, water bottle, etc).
The coat- it is awesome. Somehow warm enough despite no real lining to eliminate needing a lot of layers. I'd rather not wear it on the plane, it fits in my suitcase. I think that's what most of you do- on the plane?
More thanks!

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