What to Pack: Scotland in a Carry-On [Fall Edition]

Scotland in October is beautiful, moody, and wonderfully unpredictable. You could have sunshine, rain, wind, and chilly temperatures all in the same day—which means the secret to packing for Scotland isn't bringing everything. It's bringing the right layers.

And yes, you can absolutely do Scotland with just a carry-on and personal item! In fact, we recommend it. You'll be moving between hotels, loading luggage on and off transportation, and exploring places where a giant suitcase is more of a headache than a help.

For a 9-day trip, plan to mix and match your clothes and do one small load of laundry if needed. The goal isn't nine completely different outfits—it's a small wardrobe that works together.

Here's our go-to packing list for Scotland in October.

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First Things First: Your UK ETA

If you're traveling to Scotland, remember that Scotland is part of the United Kingdom, and most visitors from countries including the United States need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) before traveling to the UK.

Each traveler needs their own ETA, including children.

Don't wait until you're at the airport to deal with this!

We've put together a step-by-step guide to help you through the process:

👉 How to Apply for the UK ETA

The current UK government fee is £20, and you should wait until you've received confirmation of your ETA before traveling.

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Your Luggage

Any good hardshell rolling suitcase will work perfectly for this trip. If you're choosing between a smaller carry-on and a full-size carry-on, though, I'd go with the full carry-on size. You’ll appreciate that extra bit of space for sweaters, rain gear, and those bulkier October layers.

Then comes my favorite carry-on packing hack: use your personal item space wisely!

The Cotopaxi Allpa 28L Travel Pack or Cotopaxi Allpa 35L Travel Pack can be an AMAZING way to maximize the amount you're able to bring without checking a bag. They open like a suitcase, have tons of organization, and the 28L even has a pass-through strap so it can slide right over your rolling suitcase handle.

The 28L is my personal-item pick if your airline allows its dimensions, while the 35L gives you considerably more room—but you'll want to check your specific airline's personal-item requirements before using the 35L that way.

Think of your setup as:

Full-size carry-on roller + strategically packed personal-item backpack = maximum space without checking a bag.

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Clothing: Think Layers!

The goal is to be able to add or remove layers throughout the day without filling your suitcase.

Tops

• 3-4 short-sleeve or lightweight base-layer shirts

• 3 long-sleeve shirts

• 2 sweaters or fleece layers

• 1 lightweight down or insulated jacket

• 1 waterproof rain jacket with a hood

Tip: A good waterproof shell is much more useful than packing a bulky winter coat. Layer underneath it when temperatures drop.

Bottoms

• 2 pairs of comfortable pants

• 1 pair of jeans or casual pants

• 1 pair of leggings or thermal leggings for layering

• 1 nicer outfit for dinners or evenings

You don't need a different outfit for every day. Choose pieces that can be mixed and matched.

Undergarments & Sleepwear

• 9-10 pairs of underwear

• 9-10 pairs of socks

• 1–2 bras, if needed

• 1–2 pairs of warm or wool socks

• Pajamas

If you're willing to do a little laundry along the way, you can easily cut this down.

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Shoes

This is one area where we recommend being picky.

• 1 pair of comfortable, water-resistant walking shoes or boots

• 1 lightweight second pair of shoes for evenings or downtime

Your primary shoes should be comfortable enough for walking all day and sturdy enough for wet sidewalks, trails, and uneven surfaces.

Don't bring brand-new shoes. Scotland is not where you want to discover that your cute new boots give you blisters.

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Weather Accessories

October weather can change quickly, so these small items are worth the space.

• Compact umbrella

• Lightweight scarf

• Warm hat or beanie

• Lightweight gloves

• Sunglasses

• Packable day bag or small backpack

A hooded waterproof jacket is generally more useful than relying entirely on an umbrella, especially if you're dealing with wind.

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Toiletries

Keep this simple and travel-sized.

• Toothbrush & toothpaste

• Travel-size shampoo & conditioner

• Travel-size body wash

• Deodorant

• Skincare/moisturizer

• Lip balm

• Razor

• Hairbrush/comb

• Minimal makeup

• Hair ties/clips

• Any medications you take regularly

• Small laundry detergent or laundry sheets

Packing hack: For nine days, plan to do one small load of laundry rather than packing nine days' worth of everything.

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Electronics

• Phone

• Phone charger

• Portable power bank

• Headphones/earbuds

• Camera + charger, if you're bringing one

• E-reader/tablet, if desired

• UK Type G plug adapter

Scotland uses the same Type G outlets as the rest of the UK.

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Travel Documents & Essentials

Keep these in your personal item rather than your suitcase.

• Passport

• UK ETA confirmation

• Airline boarding passes

• Travel insurance information

• Tour itinerary/reservations

• Credit/debit cards

• Small amount of British pounds

• Copies/photos of important documents

• Prescription information, if applicable

• Emergency contact information

Your passport and important documents should always stay with you.

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Personal Item: What You'll Want on the Plane

Your personal item is your safety net—and your entertainment center.

• Passport & travel documents

• Wallet

• Phone & charger

• Headphones

• Medications

• Glasses/contact lenses

• Toothbrush & basic toiletries

• One complete change of clothes

• Warm socks

• Travel pillow, if you like one

• Book, Kindle, or tablet

• Snacks

• Empty reusable water bottle to fill after security

That change of clothes is especially useful on a long international journey. Even with carry-on-only packing, accidents happen!

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Optional Items

Depending on your plans:

• Swimsuit — some hotels have pools, saunas, or hot tubs

• Compact binoculars — especially for the Highlands

• Small camera

• Foldable tote bag

• Hiking shoes, if your itinerary includes substantial hiking

• Small crossbody bag for sightseeing

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What You DON'T Need to Pack

This is just as important as what you do pack!

You probably don't need:

• A heavy winter coat

• Multiple pairs of bulky shoes

• A different outfit for every day

• Full-size toiletries

• A huge umbrella

• Your entire bathroom cabinet

• Five different sweaters

• Anything you can easily buy if you somehow discover you need it

For nine days, three bottoms + several interchangeable tops + layers will give you plenty of outfit combinations without overstuffing your carry-on.

Remember: layers are your friend!

A long-sleeve shirt + sweater + waterproof jacket can take you from a chilly Highland morning to a surprisingly mild afternoon without requiring an entirely new outfit.

Top 5 Ways You Benefit From Group Travel

Group travel often gets a bad wrap. There are so many misunderstandings surrounding it.

I often hear reservations like, “I value my freedom too much to travel with a group,” or “I would, but it costs too much!” I was a huge skeptic myself before I dipped my toe in the group travel world, but let me tell you, it was a GAME CHANGER.. And in all the best ways. I found myself questioning how it had taken me so long to discover the wonderful world of group travel. 

I’m here bust a few myths surrounding group travel and let you know some of the top ways it will actually enhance and benefit your travels to travel as a group.

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Reason #1: Shared Experience

Group travel provides an opportunity for people to connect and bond with one another. Shared experiences create memories that are unique to the group, fostering a sense of camaraderie and friendship among the travelers, many of whom start out as strangers.

I’ll never forget returning from my very first trip abroad and beaming through my jetlag to recount every single magical moment I had experienced on my adventures in Eastern Europe. By the second -or third shepherd reference, my well-meaning, but totally-disconnected-from-my-experience mother’s eyes sort of glazed over into a polite, but impersonal gesture of thats-nice-but-I-couldn’t-really-care-less. Nothing is quite as defeating as coming home from a life-altering experience, willing and eager to share the magic that you learned, only to find a not-so-enthusiastic audience. They weren’t there with you and they simply don’t get it. It can feel very isolating.

With group travel, you have the bond of sharing your life-altering experiences with several people. You can reminisce and connect over your memories together for years to come. 

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Reason #2: Enhanced Safety

Traveling in a group can increase your safety in several ways. A group of people is less vulnerable to potential threats compared to an individual. Criminals are less likely to target a larger group, as they tend to look for easier targets. Additionally, when you're part of a group, you have people you can rely on in case of emergencies or unexpected situations.

I know with Land + See, one of the unspoken perks of our groups is we often have many medical professionals that tour with us. I’ll never forget seeing a man collapse on a ferry to Santorini and watching Dr. Tony spring into action! We have been so lucky than none of the medical mishaps have happened to our travelers, but there have been more than one occasion where our heroes have saved the day. It definitely gives me peace of mind knowing we are in such good hands.

Whether it's a medical issue, getting lost, or running into difficulties, having others with you means there are people to help and support you.

And lastly, traveling with others can provide emotional support and reduce feelings of vulnerability, especially in unfamiliar or challenging environments.

I’ll never forget a particularly tearful, but supportive afternoon in Austria where a female traveler and I completely bonded over our past. I haven’t seen her for years, but I am confident if I picked up the phone tomorrow she would be by my side in an instant, and vice versa.

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Reason #3: Cost Savings

Group travel allows you to have a custom-tailored travel experience at a fraction of the cost of solo travel. When you travel with others, you can split the costs of various expenses, such as accommodation, transportation, and food. Sharing these costs can significantly reduce your individual financial burden without compromising on quality.

I’ll never forget my first group travel experience as an adult. Jordan and I had traveled to Paris with his family just the year before so I naively assumed I’d already “seen what there was to see” on the re-visit a year later. How wrong I was. Because we were with a group we had the means to have a private driver on call for us and hire private local guides to show us the city through their eyes. Our Parisian guide, Mario, made the city come alive for me—as if I was seeing it for the very first time. The history, the art and the culture started to feel like it was a part of my own narrative. I simply hadn’t experienced anything like that when I was visiting on my own. While I was a tourist, my experience wasn’t just that of a tourist—I had someone showing me their personal favorite places off-the-beaten-path, translating what certain looks or gestures meant to true Parisians, sharing anecdotes and stories of his family and personal meaningful details of the places we would go—sometimes exposing unflattering or comical aspects and leaving me with a plethora of inside jokes and fond memories. This magic didn’t just “happen,” we were able to afford a much richer experience because we were splitting the cost with so many other participants. Hiring Mario would’ve been intangible on a single traveler’s budget.

Group bookings often come with bulk discounts for things like flights, hotels, guides and tours, and the reasons make sense. Travel providers are more likely to offer better deals when they know they have a large group of customers. Additionally, by sharing a hotel room or vacation rental with others in the group, you can split the cost of the room, leading to substantial savings compared to booking a single room for yourself, helping you keep costs low or allowing you the wiggle room to indulge in something a little fancier than you might be able to afford on your own.

Whether you’re hiring a guide or renting a vehicle or bus, splitting the costs among group members can make these services more affordable for everyone and they definitely make a tangible difference in the quality of your travel experience.

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Reason #4: Diverse Perspectives

Traveling with people who have diverse perspectives can be immensely beneficial in several ways. For instance, interacting with people from different cultural backgrounds allows you to gain a deeper understanding of their customs, traditions, and ways of life. This exposure can help break down stereotypes and promote empathy and respect for cultural diversity. You may encounter a variety of perspectives, not only with the locals you interact with, but within the dynamics of the group itself. Traveling with individuals who see the world differently than you do can open your mind to new ideas and ways of thinking.

I’ll never forget this amazing dinner we had in the home of Albert and Bergthor in Reykjavik, Iceland. Albert is a world-reknown opera singer, and Bergthor is a chef. Together we spent an incredible evening learning about Iceland, equality, naked grandpas and how to do the coolest new dance moves. I hesitate to admit this, but had we known ahead of time that Albert and Bergthor were a same-sex couple, it’s possible we would’ve had some preconceived ideas about what we would experience, but by allowing that wall to come down and meet them on a human level first, it challenged our bias and taught us valuable lessons in humanity.

Diverse perspectives challenge your assumptions and encourage you to question your beliefs, leading to personal growth and intellectual enrichment. By experiencing diverse perspectives firsthand, you are more likely to develop a sense of tolerance and acceptance for people who are different from you. This fosters a more inclusive and harmonious society and quite simply makes the world a better place.

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Reason #5: Stress Reduction

Traveling with a group and having a full-time group leader can indeed reduce stress in several ways. The most obvious way, is with the addition of a group leader.

With a group leader in charge, you don't have to worry about planning the itinerary, booking accommodations, arranging transportation, or managing logistics. The group leader takes care of these tasks, ensuring a smoother travel experience for everyone. A group leader can be experienced in handling various travel situations, including emergencies. Their knowledge of the destination and local customs can enhance safety and security for all group members, reducing individual stress related to unfamiliar environments. And lastly, in regions where language or cultural differences may be a challenge, having a group leader who is familiar with the local language or customs can facilitate communication and create a more enriching travel experience.

When you travel, things happen—it’s just the nature of travel. Don’t let the stress of the unknown fall on you to figure out. Join a group that has a knowledgeable and competent group leader that knows what their doing and has a proven track record.

No one wants to spend their vacation time putting out fires. When you envisioned this trip, you saw yourself lounging by the sea, eating gelato, and exploring to your hearts content. Group tours allow you the freedom and flexibility to enjoy your vacation, so you don’t come home needing a vacation from the vacation.

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Obviously this isn’t an exhaustive list of all the benefits to group travel, but it at least gives you a small taste of the some of the top ways that group travel can enhance and even improve your travel experience.

I know there are a lot of misconceptions circling about the realities of group travel, but chances are, if you ask someone who’s tried it, you will learn that the benefits far outweigh the risks.

Take it from me, the biggest former skeptic of them all–take a sip of the group travel Kool-Aid. Not only does it stand a great chance of whetting your travel appetite, you may just find that fully immersing yourself in the culture without the stress and worry of coordinating it all, is your new “thing.”

Happy travels, friends!