Winter in Scotland is gorgeous, I think it’s my favourite time of year to visit. It’s generally a lot quieter and I think everything looks more beautiful when it’s covered in frost, or snow. Winter in Scotland is from November to February and you can expect temperatures lingering near, or below freezing, perhaps some snow, rain and of course wind!
I’ve put together below a detailed packing list based on my own experience of exploring Scotland in winter to ensure you can stay, warm dry and cosy no matter what adventure you decide to go on.
Hopefully this list makes packing a lot easier and ensures you don’t forget anything. Deciding what to pack before a trip can be so difficult so I’ve put it all together below in a packing list for you.
We’ll start with clothing… and then move to accessories and any extra items which are going to be useful!
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Must Have Clothing for a Scottish Winter
#1 A Good Waterproof Jacket
There’s no denying the fact that Scotland can get rainy, but honestly, if you have a good enough jacket you won’t need to worry as much. My personal pick is the Paramo Alta III. Yes, it is more expensive than other jackets out there, but it keeps you so dry and snuggly. I was really unsure about investing in a jacket that cost so much money, but the quality is great and I’ve not regretted buying it for a single second.
Prior to owning this jacket I probably had about 10 cheaper waterproof jackets that would always fail on me, they’d let water in or leave me feeling horrible and sweaty. I absolutely love my Paramo jacket and if I ever loose this one (hopefully not!) I’ll buy another one instantly.
#2 Waterproof Trousers
These go hand in hand with a good waterproof jacket. There’s nothing worse than wet jeans, or freezing cold leggings. A good pair of waterproof trousers will help you stay warm. Sticking with Paramo for these, they’re lightweight, and feel like proper trousers, you don’t need to wear them over the top of something else.
# 3 Thermal Base Layers
I’d recommend bringing at least one set of thermal leggings and a thermal base layer top that you can wear underneath your normal clothing to keep you extra warm, especially if heading out into the hills or on the coast where the temperature might be a lot colder than in the cities and towns.
#4 A Warm Coat
A cosy down jacket, or a synthetic down jacket, if you prefer, is a must have item for visiting Scotland in winter. My advice would be to choose a neutral colour so it goes with anything!
#5 Warm Socks
A decent pair of warm socks go a long way in keeping your feet toasty! Personally I’d always opt for merino wool, as it’s natural and wicks away any moisture which really helps if your feet do unfortunately get wet! These Darn Tough socks are my favourite!
#6 Hat, Scarf & Gloves
My journey to finding a decent pair of gloves for winter hasn’t been an easy one. My hands are always so, so cold! I’d recommend something with a fleecy lining but a waterproof shell to help stop the wind. This also helps if your hands get wet at all, it will stop all the water through soaking into the glove.
#7 Sturdy Footwear
I’m going to include footwear in with the clothing. For most walks, or hikes I’d recommend you wear hiking boots, your feet will be warmer than if you wear trainers and you’ll have better grip if underfoot is slippy due to ice, snow or mud! In cities in towns a casual boot with a good grip would be perfect.
Accessories
#1 An umbrella
An umbrella is useful when in cities in towns, it helps keeps the rain off you so you’re not dripping water all over the floor when you’re popping in and out of shops.
#2 A Head Torch
The days are short in Scotland during winter. If you’re planning on doing any sort of hiking or walking then a head torch is a very useful item to carry in case you don’t make it back off the trail before dark.
#3 Lip balm and Moisturiser
The windy cold weather can really dry your skin and lips out, don’t forget to pack a lip balm and moisturiser. Of course there are shops in Scotland where you can buy this, but depending on where abouts you are … the options may be limited and you don’t want to spend your precious time in Scotland wandering around looking for something like this!
#4 A Reusable Bag
Carrier bags aren’t free in Scotland so bringing one along with you is a great idea for any grocery shopping you’ll purchase, or any souvenirs you’ll inevitably purchase.
#5 A Refillable Water Bottle
Tap water in Scotland is drinkable so there’s no need to buy bottled water, you can fill up wherever you are staying, and many cafes and restaurants will fill up your bottle for you for free.
#6 A guidebook, or offline maps
Phone signal can be patchy in areas outside of cities and towns, don’t assume you’ll always be able to do your research whilst on the road, or at certain destinations. Having your maps downloaded for offline use is a great idea, along with taking a nice guidebook along.
Is it just me, or does looking through a guidebook feel way more wholesome anyway?
#7 Your usual personal items
Don’t forget your usual clothing, underwear, toiletries etc. All of the normal things you need for any sort of trip!
So there you have it, an essential packing list for a winter trip to Scotland. I’ll be grabbing for this list each time I head up to Scotland myself too, it’s going to make packing a lot quicker for me!
Whether you’re heading to highlands, the islands or somewhere in-between I hope you have the most amazing experience exploring beautiful Scotland! I absolutely love it, and I’m sure you will too!
Ps. This works as a packing list for Scotland, but also for anywhere in the UK during winter.
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