We’ve visited Scotland twice in the summer. In June, we were met with chilly weather and rain. In August, it was sunny and warm and the country was incredibly dry.

You really never know what you are going to get in Scotland, so here’s what we would recommend packing with links to our favorite gear for our family.

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Clothing

Light layers – T-shirts and long-sleeve tops

Adult: I love wool t-shirts for travel. They dry quickly and do not smell after wearing for a few days.
Kid’s: We love Land’s End for kid’s clothes that last.

Waterproof rain jacket – choose something breathable, but sturdy

Adult: Kuhl and Ex Officio make some great rain jackets.
Kid’s: This L.L. Bean jacket is our favorite, but we also have one from Columbia as a back-up.

Leggings:

Adult: These leggings have great pockets. My phone never falls out and with a long sweater or coat, they are acceptable in public.
Kid’s: Our daughter will wear pretty much anything, but a pocket always makes her happy! Be sure to bring at least one pair of legging or pants that will dry out quickly.

Shoes – aim for waterproof or washable if possible.

Adult
- Sneakers: Classic, white sneakers that will not be ruined by one little puddle.
- Sandals: I love my Chacos for days out by the water or walking around town.
- Rain boots: Low Hunter boots for the win! (Nothing will get through these.)
Kid’s
- Sneakers: They’re not practical for the rain, but otherwise, comfy and easy to slip on.
- Rain boots: From jumping in puddles to wearing down by a loch, these will have your kiddo’s feet covered.

Packing & Gear on the Go

Daypack – for hikes, museum visits, day trips, or just long days in the city

Adult: I need a pack with multiple pockets for water bottles, clothes, and coloring books. This one has worked well and fits my frame.
Kid’s: We love this REI pack. It even comes with a packing list for kids.

Packing Cubes- We’ve been using these packing cubes for years and have them in multiple colors.
- Tip: I put all or our rain gear in a packing cube so it’s easy to grab when we need it.
Reusable water bottle.

Adult: My hyrdroflask stainless steel water bottle was survived for 8 years of travel and I’ve dropped it more times than I can count.
Kid’s: We love the Owala for our daughter. It keeps her drinking more than any other bottle.

Sunscreen:
- Sun stick for the whole family. This one does not leave a white residue all over.

Tech

Adapter plug – UK uses Type G.
Power bank. We love these Anker powerbanks which are light enough to fit in my purse.

Why is my husband left off this list?

Someone in our family wears the same clothes year round, no matter the weather. He is never cold and rarely hot. He has magical powers. For the most versatile men’s clothing, that can handle walking in the city, camping, hiking, and rain, check out Kuhl clothing.

Read about our time in Scotland below.

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