Best of Scotland tour packing list help

Quick drying pants may be preferable to jeans which can take ages to dry if they get wet. If you do get very hot humid weather they may be more comfortable to wear too...

Cindy, I can't speak for others, but can tell you that I was in Scotland last year for 3 weeks in May, and England this year for almost 6 weeks (late March through end of April) and did not pack any quick dry pants or waterproof shoes. I was fine. My shoes (Oboz low-leather) were water-resistant, which was nice and I would recommend water-resistant shoes if possible. But since you are going in late August, it will be dryer than when I was there, so I would think you would be fine.

But definitely bring (or buy over there—probably the best option) midge repellent. Mike (auchterless) just posted something about how midges have been very active in Scotland this summer.

I should mention that I do agree with wasleys about not packing jeans. They take forever to dry. I guess my pants were quick dry in that they dried out quickly, but they were not marketed as such. Most were just poly/cotton or all poly and worked out well.

I was on this trip late June-early July 2024. I did bring an old pair of waterproof booties that I wore most of the time (just in case...). I did not bring rain pants or quick-dry pants. I did bring two pairs of jeans and two pairs of lighter non-denim pants. The temperatures were warm for the first few days and got colder than usual in the highlands then warmed up again towards the end of the trip. One day in Oban we had light rain on-and-off with strong winds. We never had heavy rain that lasted for hours or downpours. Lots of sunny days. Most of the rain was just drizzle that didn't last long. On one occasion in Edinburgh, the drizzle turned to heavy rain but it lasted less than 5 minutes.

Hi Cindy, we might be on the same tour. I’ve also been thinking about what to pack so we’re in the same boat! So far here’s my list: - 3-4 travel/quick dry pants from Athleta/Eddie Bauer/REI (thin, easy to pack), 1 pair of jeans, water resistant hiking shoes (Oboz), a rain jacket, fleece vest and L/S fleece for layering, a few L/S and short sleeve travel-shirts that can be layered over a tank or t-shirt underneath (also very packable), and maybe a simple black midi-dress (if I can find one), and a few nicer tops for evenings, a scarf or pashmina, a beanie cap/gloves. Looking at weather apps, it’s in the mid to upper 60s right now and from what I’ve read, late August/early Sept shouldn’t be too cold.

I did this tour in a mid-June, so different than late August or early September. I will say it was the only tour out of 12 RS tours (and 13 Road Scholar tours) that I wished I had had waterproof rain pants and waterproof shoes. In spite of excellent waterproof jackets with hoods we got absolutely soaked on the Oban/Mull/Iona day. The tour hotel had wonderful heated towel rails so my clothes dried fairly quickly as did my shoes. I pulled out the insoles and unlaced them most of the way placing them on the floor under the towel rail.

@JenBlum - good packing list. I'd cut one of the pairs of pants though you didn't ask, lol. I always wear jeans on the airplane so I take them whether people recommend it or not. Mine are Gloria Vanderbilt Amandas and they dry overnight anyway. Yes to the beanie and lightweight gloves/glove liners. When I went to Orkney and Shetland last summer I added in a ball cap although I am not a ball cap wearer. It worked really well under the hood of my rain jacket to keep the hood in place and water out of my eyes. I'll add that a few times I wound up with the beanie on over the ball cap under the hood, lolol.

For Orkney/Shetland I did take rain pants. I packed the rain pants, rain jacket, hat, gloves, beanie in a large size Eagle Creek compression cube. This fit perfectly in my Sea to Summit lightweight day pack and I always had my gear with me.

For both of you, Scotland is pretty casual. No real need for any "nicer" tops unless you are planning a special meal out in Edinburgh or Glasgow or are adding time on to the tour. I find on many tour days you go directly from day activities to dinner with not much time in between.

No umbrellas needed either....the wind in Scotland will just immediately turn them inside out, lol!

I live in England and take waterproof jackets, trousers and shoes for any UK trip at any time of the year (well not on a city break but if I’m going to the countryside or coast etc). It can rain heavily at any time and you will want to be outside. Don’t worry about looking smart. If you are in ‘outdoorsy’ locations most people will be dressed in practical clothing that suits the weather.

I went to Scotland last year and will go again this September. I also do not recommend jeans. They are heavy and do not dry easily. You needn't look like you are on safari but good pants (try Eddie Bauer, REI, Kuhl, Fjallsraven for cooler weather) will lighten your load, are easy to wash, dry quickly and you will not need rain pants, just a good (preferably breathable) rain coat. I also like lighter cashmere sweaters and zip long sleeve shirts, or easily washable shirts. I pack (more subtle) hiking boots and also wear regular above ankle leather boots (with good soles) that I regularly wear at home. I like bringing a gator or neck scarf, wool socks, a hat. Depending on when you go, a packable down vest or jacket might come in handy to layer under your rain jacket. Last year, I was there in Sept/Oct and it was cold.

Lots of great replies and ideas - thanks to CindyB for posting this question. I will bring a pair of waterproof pants and most of the other pants I’m bringing are quick dry and very packable. I like the idea of putting the rain stuff in a packing cube to bring along in a backpack. Still figuring out jackets…I got one from Eddie Bauer over the weekend that’s waterproof but it’s pretty thin - no lining at all - wondering if it’s going to feel like I’m wearing a garbage bag. I also got a L/S fleece and I have a light down jacket that I think would layer well. I have an Eddie Bauer rain jacket that I’ve used for years that has a lining inside but it’s not quite as roomy for layering. (Decisions, decisions!!) I agree on jeans, but I will at least bring one pair and a few L/S tops to wear to dinners if I want to get out of my day clothes. Good to know that it’s pretty casual in Scotland - sounds like no need for a dress, more casual-outdoorsy clothes.

Thanks for all the replies and advice! I got a pair of waterproof shoes, a heavy duty raincoat and a couple pairs of water resistant pants. I’m still planning to bring a couple pairs of jeans and will bring a sweater for layering, a hat and some gloves.

Our B&B guests arrived yesterday evening after a wet, but not unusually so, day on Skye. Upon returning to their car after a hike at the Old Man of Storr they had had to entirely change their clothes at the side of the road. I washed and dried their wet clothes for them. Heavy jeans, jogging pants and two cotton hoodies and well as t shirts and undies. Even in my dryer they took ages! The moral of the story? Be prepared and bring lightweight layers that will dry easily. August is rainy and this month has been cold too.

Now that we've transitioned to carry-on only, I don't ever pack jeans. Too heavy and bulky. Going now with tech fabrics. Ex Officio and Royal Robbins both make great long trousers in tech fabrics that pack small and dry quickly. Two pairs of these served me well for five weeks this summer in the UK, half of which time was in Scotland.

Waterproof shoes? No thanks. My feet will be wet at the end of a dry day in those, because they don't breathe. Mesh running shoes are my choice, as they dry very quickly. Just another perspective here.

Such good packing advice as I get started packing for this tour beginning two weeks from now. I’ve been using an RS daypack for years and am hoping it will fit under my rainjacket(?) and not get soaked.

"I’ve been using an RS daypack for years and am hoping it will fit under my rainjacket(?) and not get soaked."

Hmmmm, unless your RS daypack is seriously underpacked or your rain jacket is very roomy I'm not sure this will work. I'd try it out now and see. I'd also probably spray the day pack (is it a Veloce?) with a waterproofing spray. It will NOT be waterproof but it might keep it from getting soaked if you are in a downpour.

Another alternative is to get a pack cover from Cabelas, REI, etc...type stores.

You may also not need to carry your pack with you during some ofthe days. I always have a "bus bag" but often on a tour wind up leaving it on the bus while the group is seeing something.

And I usually keep a small plastic bag within my day backpack so if rain really gets to be an issue, I can protect anything that really needs not to get wet (my supplemental charger, a book or magazine, etc).