Clothing
Scots are generally casual. In most pubs and restaurants, smart-casual is perfectly acceptable. Unless you’re attending a gala at Holyrood Palace, you can leave the formal wear at home.
- A Water and Wind-proof Rain Jacket
- Comfortable, Water-resistant Shoes (Two Pairs)
- Layerable Clothing (i.e., jumpers, vests, scarves, hoodies, hats)
- Wool Socks
- Sunglasses
Tech
- UK Plug Adapter (Type G): Scotland uses the three-prong UK plug.
- Downloaded Maps: Signal in the glens can be nonexistent. Download Google Maps for offline use.
Scotland has gone almost entirely digital for transit and booking. Download these before you land:
- ScotRail: Essential for train tickets. As of January 2026, ScotRail has expanded digital “Flexipass” and Season tickets to most routes. No more paper ticket machines!
- Traveline Scotland: The “gold standard” for real-time bus, tram, and train info across the country.
- CalMac: If you’re hitting the islands (Skye, Mull, Lewis), this app is vital for ferry alerts and managing your bookings.
- What3Words: Critical for hiking. If you get lost in a remote location, emergency services in Scotland use this to find you.
- AllTrails: Still the best for offline maps in the Highlands, where 5G is non-existent.
Outdoors
- Midge Repellent (June–September): If you’re heading to the Highlands, “Smidge” or a similar product is fab for keeping the biting midges at bay.
- Sunscreen (yes, really!)
- Waterproof Daypack: To keep your extra layers and camera dry while you’re out exploring.
- Reusable Water Bottle: Scottish tap water is world-class and perfectly safe to drink.
- A swimsuit (for “wild swimming” if you’re feeling adventurous, or hotel spas).