It was a late evening in July 2021 when we arrived for the very first time in Scotland and we completely forgot about our dinner. The restaurants and supermarkets were closed by then, and we had no access to the properties kitchen. So we did what every nerdy traveller does and improvised. We drove on the remote country lane for a mile, stopped, mounted our burner in the boot of our car, heated up a tinned soup then headed back to our accommodation.
That night we ate tinned soup like it was going out of fashion. That was a lot better than starving, if you ask me. The moral of the story, always bring some tinned food with you, and plan your stops, especially if you'll get there late to avoid being the weirdo in the middle of nowhere, heating up tinned soup in the phone lit car boot.
This is one of many situations we were added to our learning. But why not sharing these with you so you won’t get into similar situations. I believe it’s good to be spontaneous, this way you could find yourself in situations that bring unexpected joy. But I also think planning ahead plays a major role in determining if your trip is a success or a failure.
So here are a few things I wish I knew before visiting Scotland:
Waterproof clothing
The north-western parts of Scotland see about 265 days of rain per year. Therefore, it is in your best interest to aim for staying dry as much as possible can prolong the hike duration. Also, getting a raincoat shouldn’t be that expensive either. I’d suggest keeping it between £40 - £25. This ensures you’re getting an entry-level quality jacket, without ending up with a cheap useless poncho. Go Outdoors has good prices and quality jackets, but you’ll also find Decathlon might suit you better. Try out a bunch of different stores and see what’s best for you and your budget.
Furthermore, you can check out some waterproof trousers while you’re at it. It’s incredible how much better it feels when you’re walking for hours with your underpants dry. I know, they can be uncomfortable, but in a downpour, comfort is probably the least of your worries.
Hike while it’s raining
Don’t get me wrong, I hate rain as much as the next person. But when it comes to holidays, and time spent with the purpose of exploration, some mild showers shouldn’t really stop you from getting getting those summits in.
Disclaimer: don’t confuse light rain with a proper storm with strong winds (anything over 25mph). During that weather, it’s recommended you stay in, drink hot chocolate, shop or dine at that inn you always drove past. It is not only non-enjoyable, but dangerous, so please take proper safety measures before engaging in any “rainy day” activities. Such as checking the weather forecast regularly, as it can change quite fast (more on this later).
However, if it’s just light rain here and there, don’t be afraid to wet your socks. In fact, some of our most beautiful walks were done during rainy weather. Think about it, you’re there for a limited number of days, don’t let some minor inconvenience stop you from having a great time!
Sabina and I enjoying a rainy hike up Stac Pollaidh in the Northwest Highlands
Get a Headlamp
This is a short one, get yourself a headlamp. In the winter/fall, it goes really dark really fast (at 4.30pm you’re already in complete darkness in December). Therefore, it’s crucial to have a charged up, ready to go, light source with you, in case it catches you on the way down (or worse, half-way). It shouldn’t cost more than £25 if you want one that charges from an external battery.
Don’t rely on the phone, like I said in a previous post here, you’ll need your phone battery for things like navigation and emergency services. You should check it out for an in-depth recommendation on hiking must knows/dos 👉 Get Started Hiking Today.
Fast changing weather
It’s the case with the entire UK, but it’s worth mentioning Scotland’s weather is even worse. It’s 10pm the night before, you check the forecast, it cloudy with 10% chance of rain, awesome! But now (the following morning) you check again, 60% chance of rain… yes that happens quite a lot. So whether or not you want to still get out depends on your personal preference and ability to withstand wet boots. Be prepared, like mentioned above, with waterproof clothing. The bottom line is to not be disappointed. When you have good weather, Scotland is a blissful dreamland, with sky touching peaks, evergreen hills and breathtaking forests. So, be patient and plan your Scotland holiday ahead, maybe in summer months?
Get an External Power Bank
This one pretty self-explanatory. Invest in a good Amazon power bank. This can charge your phone, headlamp, tablet, watch, anything of small dimensions, for multiple days at a time. You can just drop it in a pocket in your rucksack (that will stay dry) and rely on it. Check it from time to time tough, so you don’t end up needing it only to find out you’ve been carrying an empty battery all this time.
Prepare to Drive A Lot
Some of the most beautiful spots are remote and could take a few hours to get to. Most probably, if you’re renting a bnb it’ll be in a village or town. But be it as remote as it may, you’ll still be, most of the times, too far from any starting point of a tall mountain that’s worth hiking. Unless you’re just visiting the surroundings and spend the day in town. Often times we had to drive for at least 1h on the small country lanes that lead to the start of our hikes. It usually takes you 20 mins on the motorway, then 40 more minutes in the narrow single-lane roads (drive carefully). These usually take you to the heart of the mountains, where you’ll have multiple trails leading to different summits.
Therefore, prepare drinks and sandwiches. Take breaks and switch seats with friends/partner. Most importantly, drive safely, especially on the way back. Remember, when you’re heading back you’re tired, hungry, thirsty, it’s dark. Take care of yourself!
In conclusion, do your research and plan ahead. If you do your research you’ll end up with everything that you need on your most deserved Scotland escape. Plan ahead of time (we’re guilty of this too). If you leave your holiday for the last minute, you might end up having to go during the rainy season, which could decrease your time outdoors. Also, don’t let some mild showers stop you from living the dream. Get some waterproof gear and just do it. After the first 30 mins you’ll get used to it and enjoy the pure awesomeness of Scotland.
