Our road trip packing list: gear, tips & essentials
Do you dream of driving through the stunning scenery of Scotland, stumbling across hidden lochs and discovering beautiful glens along the way? You’re not alone. Many people love the idea of a Scottish road trip, but have no idea where to start. With Scotland’s famously changeable weather and some truly remote locations, you can’t always count on finding a shop around the corner. So smart planning is essential. Here’s your comprehensive packing list for your next Scottish road trip. Then all you need to do is hire a vehicle from Nomadic Scotland and you’re on your way!
Why packing right for Scotland matters
The saying goes: “You can experience all four seasons in one day in Scotland”. Wake to a drench mist, eat breakfast sheltering from a downpour, and finish the afternoon walking under blue skies in glorious sunshine. Being prepared for every possibility is a must! And as the Scandinavians say: “There’s no such thing as bad weather – just bad clothing”.
When setting off on a road trip, space is limited. You need to strike the right balance between packing light and being fully equipped. After all, you don’t want to be climbing over bags just to reach your stove for that all-important first cup of coffee.
If you have come to Nomadic Scotland for one of our bespoke itineraries, chances are you are looking to explore some of the country’s wildest and most beautiful corners. That also means you likely won’t find a Mountain Warehouse on your travels, for a pair of waterproof trousers. Preparation is key!
But worry not, we’ve got you. Here’s everything that you need to pack for your Scottish road trip adventure. And if you’ve booked our Adventure Camping Package, much of it will already be packed and ready to go!
Essentials for the car
- Valid driving license
- Offline maps or downloaded Nomadic Scotland Itinerary (Scotland has dead zones)
- Refillable water bottles
- Power banks – or go big with our Jackery 1000 power unit (available to rent)
- First aid kits & USB chargers come with your car, so no need to pack those
Camping gear checklist
If you’ve booked our Adventure Camping Package, all of this gear is already included, pre-packed and ready in your vehicle.
- Waterproof, 4-season tent
- 4-season sleeping bags & sleeping mat or air mattress
- Camping stove & fuel
- Cooking utensils, pots, pans, cutlery
- Camping fridge or cool box
- Chairs & table
- Awning (great for Scotland’s moody weather)
Clothing & personal items
Keyword = layers, layers, layers!
- Waterproof jacket & trousers (especially if you’re planning on bagging a few Munros)
- Base layers, mid-layers (fleece) & warm jacket
- Hat, gloves & snood
- Hiking boots & extra socks (and warm socks for sleeping)
- Swimsuit and/or wetsuit for wild swimming
- Dryrobe (available to hire through us!)
- Quick dry towels
- Toiletries (consider biodegradable options)
- Sunscreen – and perhaps most crucially – midge repellent
- Midge repellent, such as Smidge
- Midge nets (yes, they look silly; no, you won’t regret bringing one)
We stock Smidge and midge nets in our shop. Grab them before you head out!
Food tips for the road
- Keep it simple: pasta, rice, canned soup, beans – check these simple meals
- Pre-freeze a meal like Spaghetti Bolognaise for the first night – easy and comforting
- Stock up on snacks – trail mix, nuts, energy bars, chocolate
- Consider adding the iKamper Disco to your trip, a great way to cook outdoors
- Don’t forget bin bags
Scotland is a beautiful country and we need to ensure we keep it that way – so follow the Leave No Trace principle.
Ready to hit the road?
A Scottish road trip is one of the most rewarding trips you can take. Yes, you might forget something – but that’s all part of the fun. With a little planning (and help from Nomadic Scotland), you can set off fully prepared for a wild and wonderful journey.
We hope you’ve found this road trip packing list useful. Now check out our 4×4 hire services, Adventure Camping Package and optional add-ons, designed to make the transition from everyday life to road trip expert as easy and stress-free as possible!