The Complete Scotland Road Trip Packing List (2024)
Everything you need to pack for your next (or first) Scotland road trip, fully updated for the 2024 season.
A road trip is, undoubtedly, one of the best ways to experience the dramatic landscapes and will coastal vistas of Scotland. A road trip around the Scottish Highlands and Islands is guarantees a unique driving experience no matter what route you choose, and total freedom to plan your own epic adventure.
Whether you want to go hiking, canoeing, castle hunting, wildlife spotting, seafood eating, forest walks, distillery hopping, wild swimming, or a bit of everything… with a road trip, the choice is yours.
However, making sure you’ve packed those essential items can be the make-or-break of a road trip adventure. Because packing the right things in the car will help ensure your trip is both stress-free and totally unforgettable.
So, here are my Scotland road trip essentials and all the best items to pack for your Scottish adventure.
What to pack for a Scotland road trip
After many years of road tripping around Scotland, here’s everything I pack for a Scotland road trip:
1. The right clothes
It’s safe to Scotland has its own unique climate, a very unpredictable one where you can experience all seasons in one day.
Seriously, we’ve had snow in April and sunburn in October. Whilst it depends when you’re visiting and the season, remember this is not mainland Europe, so never think “I’ll just pack my holiday clothes” - one day might be bright blue skies, the next is blowing a hoolie (gale force winds) or dreich (wet and miserable).
So, aside from your usual road trip travel clothes, also bring these essentials:
Windproof jacket
A cosy fleece, hoody, or sweater for chilly days
Sturdy footwear
Waterproof jacket
If you’re travelling in autumn or winter, then it goes without saying you should pack more layers (I recommend a thermal base), a super warm jacket, and a woolly hat.
2. Large duffel bag
If you’re road tripping around Scotland, chances are you’ll be moving between accommodation stops. So when it comes to packing your gear, you’ll want something easy to carry, preferably with a large opening so you can see what’s inside without having to empty your stuff everywhere.
A large duffel bag is perfect for holding all those layers, whilst being squishable for squeezing into the car.
3. A good waterproof Jacket
This is Scotland after all, so best prepare physically and mentally for rain!
It’s reasonably guaranteed you’ll need a waterproof jacket at some point, so the weather doesn’t get in the way of your plans. Waterproofs also act as a great wind layer if it starts blowing a gale.
4. Waterproof walking shoes
Most of the incredibly beautiful places to visit in Scotland really are best explored on foot; discover hidden gems along forest trails or wild white sandy beaches tucked away along the coast.
So, as well as comfy driving shoes, pack something like waterproof walking shoes or sturdy boots that you don’t mind getting dirty. Seriously, don’t just pack your white trainers!
For women, my favourites are these comfortable and waterproof Meindl GTX Boots.
5. Midge repellent
Ah the dreaded midge. This tiny flying vampire can ruin the most beautiful of walks, camps, hikes, or picnics. They tend to appear when it’s sunny or damp or wet (mostly during spring and summer months) and hang around in gangs, swarming on unsuspecting victims.
Midge repellent spray is a must. Deet-free Smidge is one of the most popular, which also repels ticks hiding in long grass. And if you’re going to be outdoors a lot, then a midge net might not stylish but is immensely helpful.
If you do get bitten then expect irritated skin - I always pack antihistamines to deal with the itch.
6. A rucksack
You’re going to need something to carry your camera, waterproofs, water bottle, layers, and midge spray. Especially if you’re planning to head out on walks, then a backpack is an essential for any road trip.
Depending on what size you need, my favourite small, road trip friendly rucksacks are:
The 14L Craghoppers Classic
The 16L Fjallraven Kånken
The 22L North Face Daypack
The 24L Osprey Hikelite
7. A Thermos Flask
I’m the first to say stop regularly along your route and support the community economy by buying in local cafes and independent coffee shops. Yet the freedom of a road trip also means pulling over for tea or coffee whenever you find a spot to enjoy those breathtaking Highlands views.
If you’re not staying in an Airbnb, then I’ve always found hotels will happily fill your flask in the morning AND point out a local café with sugary treats to takeaway. Win-win!
You need something reliable and the iconic Stanley flask is a timeless classic that’ll keep your drinks hot all day.
8. Refillable water bottle
These days there is simply no excuse for plastic water bottles.
Whether you choose refillable container or insulated metal water bottle, fill up from the tap each morning – not to brag, but Scottish tap water is some of the cleanest and clearest in the world and frankly tastes better than most bottled stuff.
If you’re looking for something funky side then check out these stainless steel refillable bottles.
9. Cool bag + picnic items
We rarely go on a road trip without a cool bag.
Sometimes we want to eat on the move, whether a picnic or roadside lunch. So, we stock up in a local supermarket, or get a takeaway from a local café, and stop to eat whenever we find a stunning view. Which isn’t hard on a Scotland road trip!
A cool bag like this one just keeps perishable goods like salads and sandwiches lasting that little bit longer.
Also helpful for picnic days are:
A picnic basket with all your plates and cutlery etc
Or an eco-friendly lunch box
Bio-degradable rubbish bags (always take your rubbish home)
10. snacks
Having the right snacks for any road trip is, frankly, essential. No matter where you go, or how far, having treats is one of the joys of road tripping. And one of the easiest ways to deal with a hangry driver.
I’m a fan of Haribo (the pack will disappear alarmingly fast) for sugary treats and Deliciouslly Ella bars when something more substantial (and healthy) is required. Other good road trip snacks that lean on the healthy side are popcorn, bananas, dried fruits & nuts, and crackers. Of course, a chocolate biscuit is also always appreciated.
11. Google Maps offline
If you’re hiring a car then chances are GPS will be included, or you’ll be able to hire a Sat-Nav.
However, if you want to plot your route ahead of your trip, then pre-programming Google Maps is absolutely the best option. The beauty of Google Maps is that you can make it available offline - this way the GPS tracker will still run, even when you’re out of signal. With 4G frequently scarce in Scotland’s more remote places this is a HUGE bonus. You really don’t want to be driving around the Highlands aimlessly (which is difficult enough on single-track roads) when you could be cracking a beer open in your Airbnb…
So, before your road trip ALWAYS make your map to be available offline. Things to save in Google Maps:
The best roads (look for the most beautiful, not the fastest)
Your accommodation
Eating stops / cafes
Must see sites / attractions
Car parks for walks, beaches, and forest trails
Petrol stations
12. List of fuel stops
If you’re near any of Scotland’s major cities, you’ll have no issues getting fuel. Go into the Highlands, or the remote west coast peninsulas however, and it’s a whole other story.
Once you’ve planned a route, make sure you know where the petrol stops are – as above, I suggest saving petrol stations in Google Maps. But an old-fashioned list will work just as well. If you’re road trip takes your somewhere particularly off-the-beaten-track, then fuel up before starting your journey.
13. A phone mount
If you do set your route up in Google Maps, then pack a suctioned phone mount to keep your mobile in place whilst you drive. No fiddling with your mobile whilst driving (ahem, illegal) relying on your passenger, or pulling over every five minutes to check the map.
This highly-rated car phone holder will do the job for £11.
14. Car charger
We rely on our phones so much these days. We save so much important information on them: hotel confirmations, maps, camera, music player, torch, weather forecast, social media… It’s a disaster if they run out of battery.
Be sure to pack your charging cable and keep your phone battery topped up whilst driving.
If your car doesn’t come with a USB port, then this car travel adapter works via the cigarette lighter and is a great option for less than £10. It’s saved my life so many times, I can’t recommend it enough!
15. Power Bank
Even with a car charging cable, I always pack a light and portable power bank.
These are excellent for when you can’t plug in, like spending time outdoors or on a city break. Personally, I recommend this power bank which will charge your mobile 5 – 6 times for less than £20. Plus, it works with both Apple and Android devices.
16. A Scotland guidebook
A bit like having a proper map, a guidebook has all the adventure feels. Yes, you can look things up online (if you have signal) – but nothing beats flicking through a guidebook in an evening. You can read my top Scotland guidebook recommendations, but my favourites for road trippers and scenery lovers are:
Wild Guide Scotland – perfect for finding outdoorsy adventures.
Hidden Scotland – one for aspiring or keen photographers who love wild places.
Take the Slow Road: Scotland – find dozens of Scotland’s best routes, from Shetland to the Borders.
Alternatively, download these Scotland travel books and more to your phone on Kindle Unlimited.
17. Money
Yup old-school I know! But head north and you’re likely to find small local shops that won’t take card for small purchases. Or farms selling fresh eggs and home grown produce via an honesty box - keep an eye out for these treasures on the side of the road.
Have a stash of notes and some change in your car, just in case.
18. First aid kit
Seeing as you’ll be doing a lot of driving in remote places and help might be quite a few miles away, it’s sensible to carry a small first aid kit with essentials.
19. headtorch
This one probably sounds like a strange addition - but trust me, its a handy one.
On a road trip to the Isle of Skye, Trev and I stayed in a country pub sampling whisky a little longer than we should have. The village had no street lights and our campsite was a 2km walk in the pitch dark. No problem we thought, and whipped out our head torches.
It’s also essential for campsite and cabins stays when the facilities might be a wander away in the dark. I use this headtorch, which is nice and bright on the darkest of evenings.
20. A camera
With scenery this jaw-dropping you’ll want to take A LOT of photos!
Make sure to pack your camera or drone and plenty of memory card.
Or free up space on your phone.
I’d recommend also packing a tripod – great for capturing your whole group in front of those towering mountains. This mini Manfrotto travel tripod is sturdy, packs small, and is a great price.
21. Binoculars
Ok so maybe these aren’t totally essential - but the Scottish Highlands and West Coast have so much to offer wildlife lovers travelling to Scotland.
Expect to see eagles, seals, puffins, otters, pine martins, dolphins and many more in their natural environment. For your best chance to spot these incredible animals, have binoculars like these ones packed in your glove box.
22. A road trip playlist
I can’t finish my Scotland road trip essentials with some great music!
No road trip is complete without a playlist of your absolute favourite songs. Looking for something Scottish? Then you can’t go wrong with The Proclaimers, Amy Macdonald and Deacon Blue.
Travel tips before you road trip Scotland
Where to stay in Scotland
My top tip for Scottish hotels? Always book in advance. Accommodation books up quickly, especially during the height of the summer season. And accommodation is sparse in more remote and rural areas. Be organised and book ahead of your trip.
Posts on this site may contain affiliate links that help support my business in creating content. If you make a purchase using one of these links, I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you. Read my disclaimer for more information.
If you’ve found this guide helpful, you can buy me a ‘virtual’ mug of earl grey here.
