Scotland Packing List for Families: What to Pack

Creating a Scotland packing list for families begins with knowing what kind of trip you’re planning. Before you decide what to pack for Scotland with kids, it helps to think through your route, your activities, and how much time you’ll spend outdoors. Our Scotland Itinerary with kids is based on our three-week family trip, and it also includes many of the best things to do in Scotland with kids.

When we visited Scotland, our kids were nearly 4 and 6 years old. We knew we’d be spending a lot of time outside, with plenty of hiking, sightseeing, and exploring in all kinds of weather. Even on days we weren’t doing a big hike, we were still outside enough that we needed to be ready for any kind of weather.

We always try to pack light, so our family focused on practical outdoor gear, layers, and waterproof clothing instead of dressier outfits we were unlikely to wear. You won’t find anything here for colour-coordinated family photos, but if you’re looking for a practical Scotland packing list for families, this is what worked well for us on our trip.

We’ve included plenty of real photos from our trip so you can see the range of weather we had during our stay. My hope is that this helps you feel more confident about what to pack for your own family trip to Scotland.

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10 Scotland Packing Essentials for Families

If you are wondering what to pack for Scotland with kids, these are the items we would prioritize first. This is the gear that we found most useful on our family trip:

1. A good rain jacket for everyone

If there is one thing every person in your family should have for Scotland, it’s a proper rain jacket. You might get away with an umbrella for a quick stop in a city, but if you spend much time outdoors, a rain jacket is essential. We would not skip this.

Recommended rain jackets for kids
Recommended rain jackets for adults

2. A warm hoodie or fleece layer

Our hoodies were one of the most valuable things we packed. We wore them almost every day, whether it was for a chilly morning, a windy viewpoint, or extra warmth under a rain jacket. If I was short on space, I’d leave behind an extra top before I’d leave behind a hoodie.

Recommended fleece hoodies for kids

3. Waterproof hiking shoes

Having waterproof hiking shoes was absolutely worth it in Scotland. They worked for hiking, walking around towns, muddy trails, and the many days when the ground was wet even if it was not actively raining. For active families, waterproof hiking shoes are one of the best things you can pack.

Recommended waterproof hiking shoes for kids
Recommended waterproof hiking shoes for adults

4. Rain pants

We did not wear rain pants every single day, but on heavy rain days we were very glad we had them. Rain pants roll up really small in your bag, so they are worth keeping in your daypack just in case. If it starts raining heavily, you’ll be happy you brought them.

Recommended rain pants for kids

5. Quick-dry convertible pants

Convertible pants may not be the most stylish item in your suitcase, but they are super useful for a family trip to Scotland. They dry quickly, handle mud and light rain well, and work for the cool mornings and warmer afternoons that are common in summer. Uncool or not, they were one of the most practical clothing items we packed for both adults and kids.

Recommended convertible pants for kids
Recommended convertible pants for adults

6. Layers of t-shirts and long sleeve shirts

The weather in Scotland can change quickly throughout the day, so layering is a useful strategy. Most days, a t-shirt, hoodie, and rain jacket were enough for us, with a long sleeve shirt coming in handy on colder, windier days. This kind of flexible layering will be very important on your family trip to Scotland.

7. Merino or wool socks

For the kids especially, warm socks were worth bringing. Between puddle jumping, damp mornings, and cooler days, we were glad to have thicker wool socks on hand, especially for wearing with rain boots. At least one warm pair per person is a smart addition to your family packing list.

Recommended wool socks for kids

8. A backpack with a rain cover

When you are spending a lot of time outdoors, a good daypack makes a huge difference. We like backpacks that work for both travel days and hiking days, and a rain cover is especially useful in Scotland. It helps protect your layers, snacks and electronics. It’s always better to keep things dry, rather than needing to find a way to dry things out later.

Recommended rain covers for backpacks

9. Ball caps

This might seem like a small thing, but we found ball caps surprisingly useful. They helped on sunny days, but they were also great when it was drizzling because they kept the rain out of our eyes. Ball caps are lightweight, easy to pack, and worth throwing in for everyone.

10. Water bottles or hydration packs

If your Scotland itinerary includes hikes, longer walks, or full days outdoors, do not forget a good way to carry water. We used hydration bladders and reusable water bottles, and both were useful. Anything that makes it easier for kids to drink regularly is worth packing.

Recommended water bottles for travel
Recommended water bladders for travel

What You Can Leave Behind

What would we leave behind when packing for a family trip to Scotland? We recommend not packing too many pairs of shorts, dressier outfits, or extra shoes you probably will not wear. For Scotland, practical layers and rain-ready gear matter much more than packing for perfect weather.

What to Pack for Scotland by Season

Why Layers Matter

If you’re wondering what to pack for Scotland with kids, start with layers. On our summer trip to Scotland, we often began our days bundled up, followed by taking off hoodies and rain jackets later in the day if the sun came out.

That’s why layers mattered more than packing for one specific forecast. A t-shirt, hoodie, and rain jacket worked for most days. On colder days, we added a long sleeve shirt underneath.

The layering strategy was especially important for the kids. They could be warm one minute, then asking for a hoodie as soon as the wind picked up. Packing layers made it possible for us to stick to our planned outdoor activities no matter the weather.

Rain, Wind and Changing Weather

The weather in Scotland can change quickly, even in summer. We had cool mornings, wind at viewpoints, damp trails, and plenty of rain.

We got rained on a lot during our family trip to Scotland. I hope you have better weather, but keep rain gear close by at all times just in case. Even when it wasn’t raining, waterproof layers and good shoes still came in handy.

This is why our Scotland packing list is built around practical outdoor gear. If you’re planning a family trip with walks, hikes, and sightseeing, comfort matters a lot more than packing dressier outfits.

What to Pack for Scotland in Spring

Scotland’s spring weather can be wet, muddy, and unpredictable. It can still feel cool in Scotland in spring, especially in the mornings and evenings. I would pack much like we did for summer, but with a bit more focus on warmth. That means long sleeve shirts, hoodies, rain jackets, waterproof shoes, and warm socks for everyone.

What to Pack for Scotland in Summer

Summer is one of the easiest times to visit Scotland, but you still need to pack for changing weather. Even in July, we needed layers far more than true hot-weather clothing.

For a summer packing list for Scotland, I’d focus on t-shirts, a couple of long sleeve shirts, hoodies, rain jackets, waterproof hiking shoes, and quick-dry pants.

We definitely overpacked shorts for our kids. If your Scotland family trip includes hiking and outdoor activities, practical layers will get used much more often.

What to Pack for Scotland in Fall

Fall in Scotland calls for many of the same items as summer, but with a warmer overall mix. I would still pack layers, rain gear, and waterproof shoes, but I’d bring fewer warm-weather items and more long sleeves and warm socks.

Fall is not the season where I’d want to skip a good rain jacket. Even if your trip is more sightseeing than hiking, staying dry and comfortable makes a big difference.

For a Scotland fall packing list, I’d focus on warm layers, waterproof footwear, and clothing that can handle changing conditions throughout the day.

What to Pack for Scotland in Winter

Winter in Scotland is the season where I would build on this family packing list instead of just adjusting it. You still want layers and waterproof gear, but you’ll need warmer versions of everything.

A base layer, warm mid-layer, waterproof outer layer, thicker socks, gloves, and a warm hat would all be important. These are the items I would not want to be without in winter in Scotland.

If your family plans to spend a lot of time outdoors, warm waterproof layers matter even more. For a winter trip to Scotland with kids, staying dry and being able to layer up properly is key.

Scotland Packing List for Parents

Hoodie

As described in our “Essentials” section above, a hoodie was the most valuable piece of clothing in our backpacks. We all wore our hoodies almost every single day during our family trip to Scotland (and later during our family trip to Ireland). I probably would have been better off leaving my tank top and a t-shirt behind and using that space for a second hoodie.

T-shirts and Long Sleeve Shirts

5 – 6 t-shirts: For most days a t-shirt and a hoodie were all we needed.

1 tank top: I also brought one tank top, but I wore it only a couple of times. I probably could have left it behind.

2 long sleeve shirts: On the coldest days when it was windy and rainy, we wore a long sleeve t-shirt under our hoodies plus a rain jacket.

2 Pairs of Convertible Pants

It’s been said a million times before, these hiking pants make you look like such a tourist. But for hiking, especially when you are dealing with rain and mud (or sunshine?) they really can’t be beat.

They are easy to clean and dry super fast. They are the perfect pants when hiking with kids. I got myself a black pair with minimal pockets to help minimize that tourist look.

Recommended convertible pants for adults

Shorts and Cropped Leggings

I opted for a pair of jeans and a pair of cropped leggings. I love my jeans; they are comfortable enough to wear on the plane and great for the short stops we make in cities.

On warmer days, a pair of cropped leggings are great for hiking. They were also perfect for biking in Ireland with kids.

Dan, on the other hand, brought a couple of pairs of shorts, but he didn’t use them much. On the days he would wear shorts, he would just wear the shorts from his convertible pants, keeping the bottoms close-by just in case the weather changed.

Base Layer (Didn’t Use)

We each brought a pair of wool thermal leggings that we planned to wear under our hiking pants if it was extra cold. Thankfully, we didn’t end up needing them on our family trip to Scotland.

Other Items to Pack for Scotland

• Pajamas
• Underwear
• 4 – 6 pairs of socks

Scotland Packing List for Kids

Hoodies

These fleece hoodies are similar to the ones our kids wore in Scotland, although theirs had a hood which was useful on the really windy days. We’d recommend either packing a wool hat or finding a fleece hoodie with a hood.

T-Shirts & Long Sleeve Shirts

We packed 3 – 5 t-shirts plus 2 long sleeve shirts for each of the kids.

We didn’t bring proper thermal base layers, but having a warmer long sleeve shirt to wear under fleece hoodies was all they needed on the chillier days. Otherwise they wore t-shirts under their hoodies.

3 Pairs of Pants + 1 Pair of Convertible Pants

We got both kids a pair of the zip-off convertible pants (which are available for both girls and boys) for the same reason that we pack them for ourselves. They dry extremely fast and they give the option to start with pants on cooler mornings and switch to shorts later on.

Recommended convertible pants for kids

6 pairs of socks + 1 pair of merino wool socks

We packed pretty similar for the kids. We did bring them a pair of thick wool socks for inside their rain boots. We knew they’d be much more likely to be jumping in puddles and also to complain about cold feet, so the wool socks were a must. The Smartwool socks are expensive, but it was well worth it for each kid to have a pair.

2 Pairs of Shorts (Didn’t Use)

Our kids didn’t end up wearing the shorts we packed very often. We could have easily managed with just the shorts from the zip-off convertible pants. That said, their shorts were pretty small and didn’t take up too much space.

Other Items for Pack for Kids for Scotland

• 5 – 6 pairs of underwear
• 1 pair of pajamas

Rain Gear for Scotland Family Travel

Rain Jackets

Regardless the season you are visiting Scotland with kid, we strongly recommend everyone have a rain jacket. It’s the #1 item on our list of Scotland packing essentials for a reason.

Often it will be windy and rainy at the same time, so an umbrella isn’t going to do a very good job at keeping you dry. If you are going to be spending any amount of time outside, a good quality rain jacket is a must.

Recommended rain jackets for kids
Recommended rain jackets for adults

What to look for in a good rain jacket?

You do not necessarily need to spend a fortune on a rain jacket, but I would look for a few key features. Just make sure it has a hood (obvious, we know), is breathable and you might want to find one that also has some type of liner for some added warmth. Taped seams are also a good idea for staying dry.

I wore a North Face rain jacket for women and I liked that it had a mesh liner. It helped with warmth and it also stopped the jacket from sticking to my skin when I was sweating. The pockets were zipped and had a flap to help keep any water from getting in.

Our kids wore Columbia rain jackets during our family trip to Scotland. They got a ton of use and kept the kids dry the entire time.

Rain Pants

We don’t get too cute with our rain pants. As long as they are waterproof, they’ll do. We didn’t wear them everyday, but on heavy rain days, we couldn’t have lived without them.

Recommended rain pants for kids

Waterproof Hiking Shoes

Waterproof hiking shoes was the perfect footwear for our 3-weeks in Scotland with kids. They kept our feet dry while city walking and out on the family-friendly hiking trails.

These Merrell Women’s Siren 3 Waterproof Hiking Shoe are similar to what I wore throughout Scotland. Meanwhile, Dan wore these KEEN – Men’s Targhee III waterproof leather hiking shoes.

Waterproof Hiking Shoes for Kids

Our daughter wore the KEEN Kids’ Hikeport MID Strap WP Hiking Boot, while our son wore the KEEN Kids’ Targhee Mid Wp Hiking Boot, which were similar to Dan’s hiking shoes. Our only complaint about these is that they are a bit narrow and therefore harder to get on.

Our kids wore these shoes almost exclusively for 7.5 weeks throughout our summer trip to Scotland and Ireland. They were still going strong 4 months later when we hiked to the Lost City in Colombia.

Rain Boots

The kids mostly wore their waterproof hiking boots, but on heavy rain days we switched to rain boots. They were perfect for jumping in puddles or running through the long grass while exploring the Fairy Glen. We travelled with amazing, foldable rain boots for kids, but unfortunately they are no longer available.

If you are considering bringing rain boots for your kids, keep in mind they need to be tall enough to be more effective than their waterproof hiking shoes. “Travel rain boots” are often just shorter rain boots, which you may as well leave at home.

Recommended rain boots for kids

Outdoor Gear for Scotland Family Travel

Hoodies

We’ve said this several times above, but it’s worth repeating – a warm fleece hoodie will be invaluable for Scotland. They are perfect for chilly mornings, under rain jackets for extra warmth and good for when that wind is blowing.

Ball Caps

Ball caps are great for rainy and sunny days. On the rainy days, they help keep the rain out of our eyes.

Hydration Bladders

Anytime we are doing a trip that involves a lot of hiking, we bring along a water bladder. They fit easily in our backpacks and allow us to bring a lot more water than what our reusable water bottles can hold. The drink tubes also make for quick access for both us and kids, meaning we all drink more water throughout the day.

Backpacks with Rain Covers

I recently bought this Deuter Futura 26 L for travel. Though I didn’t have it for our Scotland trip (I traveled with a very similar 26 L bag), it’s a great backpack. I use it as a carry-on for the plane, then use it daily for hiking.

I already had a Deuter Aircontact 60+10 SL backpack as my large backpack, so I’m not surprised I ended up with another Deuter.

We use Eagle Creek packing cubes (in fact, ours are now 15 years old and still going strong!) to help keep everything organized in our backpacks.

Reusable water bottles

We always travel with our reusable water bottles, even if we pack our hydration packs.

Small gloves or mitts (Didn’t Use)

We brought small gloves for our kids, but we didn’t end up using them in Scotland. We did use them more in Ireland, especially on the rainy days on the bikes.

Sports Sandals (Didn’t Use)

We love bringing our sports sandals on our family vacations. We brought them to Scotland, but in all honesty, we could have saved space by leaving them behind. It was nice to have a second pair of shoes, but we didn’t wear them at all until our final stop in Edinburgh with kids.

Travel Activities for Kids

We don’t pack a lot of travel toys for kids, as we try to spend as much time as possible outside on our family trips. That said, it’s healthy for kids to have play time while traveling, so we like to have a variety of thoughtful travel activities for them to enjoy during down time.

Usually, they will each bring a stuffy and we will pack each kid a small Lego set (superheroes and princesses play well together!) and an activity book. We also pack crayons and a blank notepad for drawing & writing practice.

What about books? We loved using the Epic! digital library for kids to minimize the number of heavy books we pack.

Follow Along our Family Trip to Scotland

Our 3.5 week family trip to Scotland began with 3 fun days in Glasgow with kids. From there, we headed north for some amazing hiking in Loch Lomond National Park with kids. Next up was 3 days in Fort William with kids, where we got to see the real-life Hogwarts Express!

The main reason we wanted to travel to Scotland with our kids was to go to the Isle of Skye. We’re happy to report that it didn’t disappoint – there are so many amazing things to do on the Isle of Skye with kids.

We finished up our summer family vacation to Scotland with a trip to Edinburgh with kids, where we visited one of the most fun museums ever!

With our kids so young, we had the whole summer to travel, so after Scotland, we jumped over to Ireland for an additional 3.5 weeks (bringing all the same stuff as we packed for Scotland). To see some highlights, check out our list of the best things to do in Ireland with kids.

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