Traveling to Scotland in October

Fly to Scotland direct or from Heathrow?

First of all, it would help a lot to have more information. How much time will you have in Scotland? Are you going anyplace else besides Scotland?

Secondly, are you talking about THIS October? If so, you need to start booking your lodging ASAP. Scotland has a shortage of hotels and B&Bs and they get snapped up very quickly. It won't be as crowded in October as it will in summer of early fall, but you still need to book ahead.

Having said that, if you haven't booked your flight yet, you might be better off flying into Edinburgh or Glasgow, as that will save you time and money.

If you have already booked your flight, I would suggest taking the train from London to Edinburgh, then renting your car there. I'm assuming you will be spending time in Edinburgh? If so, you'd be much better off spending your time in the city, and then renting a car when you are ready to head out into the country.

October is one of Scotland's wettest months so definitely dress for rain. You might want to bring layers along that you can add to or subtract, depending on how cold/windy/rainy it gets. :-)

In terms of where to go, I would strongly suggest consulting a guidebook at this point, then coming here for more specific advice. Everyone here has their own likes and dislikes, so find yours. Plus, as mentioned above, we have no idea how much time you have, so I don't want to recommend a place that will not work with your schedule.

Without more information to assist you, here is Rick Steve's ideas for itineraries: https://www.ricksteves.com/europe/scotland/itinerary

"Any good suggestions for packing ( we are terrible overpackers). Also rain gear?"

Yes, I always have packing suggestions!

BUT it depends on how much time you have and what activities you are going to do. It doesn't sound like you are going to do hiking but as Mardee suggests I'd have a good waterproof rain jacket with a hood so you can keep going even if there is rain.

For a month long trip I pack in a 21" roll aboard. I travel solo so want to be able to get it on/off trains by myself. It usually weighs about 20# which I can manage. When I got a new suitcase in 2022 I got the lightest suitcase I could find that fit the dimensions of some of the airlines in Europe (which are slightly smaller than the dimensions on Delta which is my go-to airline). The suitcase weighs 4.5#.

Start with a packing list. I have my wardrobe so everything is able to be sink-washed and will dry overnight or within 24 hours. You may not be able to start off that way and may want to plan for an afternoon in a location where you can do laundry. I take 4 short sleeve shirts, 1 long sleeve shirt, 2 quarter-zip dry-fit long sleeve shirts that go over everything. I take 3 prs of pants - usually I travel in jeans and take 2 other pr depending on my activities. In October I'd want a puffy vest or jacket (depending on how cold tolerant you all are) to layer under the rain jacket. 2 pr of shoes.

I totally agree with everything Mardee says above- if you have already booked all your flights, definitely take the train up rather than drive- it's faster and way less stressful. You can rent a car once you get up there. October is indeed a wet month, there seems to be a general mist in the air even when it's not actually raining. Not sure where in Scotland you are planning to go but my top destination for whiskey is Islay. You can get a short flight there from Glasgow or you can get a ferry across. Good luck with your planning.

No clue how long your trip will be and how much time you will have.

On the northeastern side of Scotland is Aberdeenshire with both restored castles and ruins along its Castle Trail. Nearby is the Speyside Whisky Trail with many distilleries and a cooperage. You also have the fishing villages and scenery along the coast.

The dramatic highland scenery is on the western side of Scotland with mountains and lochs and the rugged coastline with a castle or a ruin and a distillery here and there. You also have easy access to some of the Inner Hebrides islands like Mull and Skye.

I haven't even mentioned the rugged North Coast, the Scottish Borders and many other beautiful places in Scotland.

I was in beautiful Scotland in October two years ago. I was very, very glad I had a good rain parka which was a little longer. All of my pants were quick drying synthetic.
I was very, very glad I wore my waterproof, broken in boots (above the ankle). They were like Blundstones.
I was very, very glad I had some comfortable wool: hat, gloves, scarf and base layers, sweater and vest. But you could buy a wonderful scarf in Scotland.
Wool clothing doesn't need a lot of washing. I made sure I had enough undies and socks though. Wool socks.
Layers are where it's at, but it doesn't mean you need to take a lot. I had a vest I wore everyday. I also had a light hollioil Patagonia layer that I also wore. It can be windy.

We had a fabulous time due to being prepared for the elements. We were warm and dry. It didn't rain all the time, but we're from the Pacific Northwest, so we were ready. I wore everything I took and we didn't check bags. We carried on our small bags.

If you're getting off the plane and into a rental car, I wouldn't sweat the overpacking. Be smart about it, though, so you're not dragging the whole kit and caboodle into every one-night accommodation. If you have an "overnight bag" or similar that holds your valuables, toiletries, PJs and change of clothes, you can leave the big bag(s) in the car. Just make sure you've organized your things to make them easy to grab and go (roll outfits together or have a daily packing cube). If your bags can be open(ed) in the boot of the car, all the better.
If you plan to do any hiking and/or want to be able to carry on in any weather, then rain pants are probably a good idea. I would suggest something that can easily go on and off over your (waterproof) shoes/boots. Of course, you need a waterproof rain jacket (and maybe a ball cap to keep the hood from falling in your face, an innovation I am considering). Maybe a quick-dry towel for when you get back in the car. Any umbrella that you could bring on the plane will be useless.
I am going to assume you have a good long time for this trip and that you're driving for a reason that is none of my business.

Thanks everyone for all your advice - I’ve been narrowing down all the stays - still not finished! However, travel 10-1 thru 10-14. Clockwise route Edinburgh, Oban area, isle of skye, Dornoch, speyside and Stirling. I know - my hubby likes to drive and see as much as possible so I’m well aware of all the driving ( believe me, I’ve see much of Eastern Europe this way). Any other thoughts/ suggestions are appreciated - thank you all again!