What to Pack for Your Scotland Holidays?
Planning a holiday to Loch Ness is an exciting adventure, especially if you’re staying at Abbey Holidays Loch Ness. Nestled in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, our Scotland holidays offer stunning views, serene waters, and a wealth of activities. Not forgetting we are set within the Highland Club in the historical abbey building… So you can experience a luxury holiday, Hogwats style!
To make the most of your trip, here’s our personal guide to help you pack well. Read on for our ultimate guide to what to pack for your highland holidays… But before you get packing… here’s a little sneak peak on where you will be staying and what you can enjoy on your Highland outdoor holiday adventures:
Scotland holidays clothing essentials
The weather in the Scottish Highlands is epic! Here you will often here us say “There’s no such thing as bad weather! Just bad clothing!” It is very common for you to experience all 4 seasons in one day here, so layering is key! And here are some must-haves:
Waterproof Jacket or kagool: Something light that will protect you from the wind and rain showers. Or if holidaying in winter, be sure to bring a long heavy coat, gloves and hat. In fact, we’d pack a light pair of gloves and a wooley hat for early spring and autumn too.
Comfortable Shoes: Whether you’re exploring the Abbey grounds or hiking nearby trails, sturdy footwear is a must. Trainers and walking boots are both ideal.
Warm Layers: Even in summer, evenings can be chilly. Pack sweaters or fleece layers. Layering up multiple tops is the best way to manage the Scottish climate year-round. So if you get hot, or cold, you can adjust your clothing to suit.
Good decent sweatshirts or hoodies: to keep you warm! This is recomended also for summer evenings.
Hat and Gloves: For colder months, these are non-negotiable. In summer these will not be needed.
Scarf or snood: Recomended out of Summer to keep you snug and to allow you to enjoy more outdoors.
Casual Outfits: Jeans joggies, leggings… For exploring and relaxing at Abbey Holidays Loch Ness. Pack a good array of comfortable, casual wear.
Nice outfit: for going out for dinner. We have lots of lovely local restaurants for you to enjoy!
Chargers: and of course, for your chill-out time in your holiday accommodation, you will need your chargers.
Moisturiser & Hand Cream: recomended for days out exploring to combat windy or cold weather.
On-Site Activities
We have lots of sports facilities on site from tennis, and badminton, to our heated in door swimming pool and games room. We are also based on many running trails, such as the Caledonian Canal and the South Loch Ness 360 Trail. And we enjoy some fantastic local sports providers too! Book a personalised cycle tour, a foraging experience or enjoy watersports on Loch Ness. The possibilites are endless.
So, if you want to enjoy all there is on offer don’t forget to pack:
Swimming gear
Trainers and water shoes
Spare shoes in case you get your first pair wet
Sports wear
Large towel: for Wild swimming and water sports
Cozy socks: to warm up after and for lazy evenings.
Gillet: ideal for layering and outdoor sports in Scotland.
We have rackets and balls on-site, so there is no need to pack these. You can also hire bikes with Ticket to ride and 42 Cycling offer mountain bike and bike hire.
Outdoor Adventure Gear
And no holiday to the Scottish Highlands is complete without an array of road trips. Lose yourself in the natural beauty of Loch Ness, Inverness, Glen Affric, Glen Finnan, Glen Coe and the Isle of Skye. For your day trip around Loch Ness and the historic site be sure to bring:
Day Backpack: Perfect for carrying snacks, water, and a map while hiking.
Long sleeve T-shirts: for evening walks and outdoor relaxation. Also great for layering.
Long socks: to protect your legs from ticks and midges.
Water Bottle: Stay drated during your adventures.
Waterproof Pants: Ideal for wetter days or boat tours.
Camera or Smartphone: Capture stunning views and memories.
For Relaxation at Abbey Holidays Loch Ness
Our luxury Scottish accommodation offers luxury apartments within the historic abbey building as well as larger, dog-friendly, holiday cottages within the abbey grounds. All enjoy views of the private resort grounds, Loch Ness, or the canal and river that flank the abbey. Each enjoys a fully equipped kitchen, dining area and lounge with Wi-Fi and flatscreen TV. Our cozy interiors and scenic surroundings are the ideal location for a Scottish retreat.
So, for your miscellaneous down time on-site you can enjoy:
Books or E-Reader: Perfect for a quiet evening snuggled up. But if you do forgeth, don’t worry, we do have an array of books for your enjoyment within each of our self-catering apartments and cottages.
Travel Journal: Document your holiday experiences.
Board Games or Cards: Great for family bonding. All of our holiday accommodations include balls, rackets and board games for your enjoyment. And if anything is missing when you arrive, or you need something else, please just text, WhatsApp or call us on 07856 821 100.
Games room: The club room within the abbey offers the most idyllic room to relax and socialise, with an array of games including chess, a pool table, and a snooker table, plus comfy sofas to relax. This room historically was the monk’s refectory and enjoys magnificent stained glass windows and wood-panelled walls.
Swimwear: All our accommodation includes access to the private heated indoor pool. Please note this runs on a booking system, which we will take you through on arrival.
Gymwear: the abbey also enjoys an on-site gym for your enjoyment throughout your stay.
BBQ area: and if you want to get outdoors, we have a fantastic BBQ area with BBQs and utensils provided, overlooking the banks of Loch Ness.
Bring a good hoodie, Oodie or cozy coat: for sitting outside at night for BBQs and alfresco dining.
Walks from your door: If you like holidays by water, this is the place for you! Flanked on three sides by Loch Ness, the Caledonian Canal and the River Tarff. Here your jacket and comfy shoes will come in handy for walks taken from the abbey. Enjoy the quaint village of Fort Augustus and the magnificent Caledonian Canal which runs through the village and down the side of the abbey. Plus we are really lucky to be based right on the epic Loch Ness 360 Trail. So you can explore the wild south side of Loch Ness by foot or bike. Or take to the high road of the Great Glen Way following the trail to the North side of Loch Ness.
Local attractions: Take to the water with Cruise Loch Ness. Based just alongside the abbey on the Caledonian Canal. The canal is also an attraction in itself due to its world-famous Neptune’s Staircase. Here you can go paddleboarding or paddle part of the Great Glen Canoe trail.
Golf clubs: And if you just can’t leave your clubs at home, we have fantastic world-renowned golf courses across the Scottish Highlands. Starting with our local club, the Fort Augustus Golf club.
Food and Snacks
All of our luxury Scottish cottages and apartments are fully self- catering. We have fantastic, spacious kitchens, which are equipped with all you could need for your holidays. We have local shops in Fort Augustus, but we do advise to:
Grocery shopping: If you are staying with us for a week (for our greatest discounts) complete your large grocery shopping at the nearest town (Inverness or Fort William). Alternatively, you can arrange for Tesco or Asda to deliver to your door, but please note you must be in to receive your shopping. For short stays and top-ups, we have a local Spar shop and Morrisons mini market.
Non-Perishable Snacks: Recommended for outdoor enthusiast holidays, trails and hikes.
Reusable Containers: Perfect for packing lunches.
Local Produce Bag: For any farmer’s market finds.
Insect Repellent: Useful during warmer months to combat the Midges. They only tend to come out early at sunrise and in the evenings, and don’t like windy places, so stay in a breeze to avoid them. But wearing a repellant such Smidge or famous with the scots Avon’s Skin so soft oil will keep them away. During the day they won’t bother you, so you can explore the wonders of Loch Ness in comfort…
Money: when planning your trip, we use the same currency in Scotland as in England, the British Pound. Scotland and England both print their own notes, although both are of exactly the same value and of the same use in either country. Please note, however, that whilst all Scottish shops will happily accept English notes, many in the south of England will not accept Scottish notes. These can be exchanged in any bank if requried. Or you can simplyfy your travels and pay by card instead.
Final Tips
Check the Weather Forecast each day before heading out. We recomend the MetOffice App, for the most predictable weather forcasts. packing, review the local weather for Loch Ness.
Plan Your Activities: Knowing your itinerary will help you pack appropriately each day, but don’t be too ridged… We promise you will get sidetracked as you uncover new wonders on each of your Highland outdoor explorations!
Leave Room for Souvenirs: Loch Ness is known for its charming shops – you’ll want space for keepsakes! From tweeds and caps at Campbells of Beauly, to books Harry Potter style at Leakey’s Bookshop, to stylish Scottish gifts and wears from An Talla. Not forgetting pottery and Highland Coos at Cameron’s Tea rooms.
By following our Scotland holidays packing guide, you’ll be ready for a comfortable, enjoyable, and memorable holiday at Abbey Holidays Loch Ness. Happy travels!
