How to pack for 14 days in Scotland in a 35L backpack

The first time I went to Scotland for two weeks, I way over packed. It was my first trip to Europe and all I kept reading was about how the only thing predictable about the weather in Scotland is that it is unpredictable. The Summer time in Scotland can have all 4 seasons in a few hours, that means layers, layers, layers. I am no stranger to travel, and I have raised 3 kids, so I like to be prepared. It took considerable research and planning, but somehow I was able to decide on a capsule wardrobe that will keep key warm, cool, dry, and hopefully not make me look like I am on safari every time I leave my hotel/B&B.

The first thing to consider is your luggage style. On my first trip to Edinburgh back in 2016, I had over packed, and chose to use my favorite roller suitcase. Fitting more than I needed was a cinch, but what I was not prepared for was the cobblestone streets and the HILLS. The Royal Mile most certainly has a relatively steep incline, and if you take the tram or bus from the air port, you are dropped off at the bottom of said hill. This time around, not only am I taking this trip solo, but I am foregoing the problematic wheels and carrying it all on my back… like a “pro”…. I am so not a pro, but that’s a story for another post.

The pack I chose is the Cotopaxi allpa 35. The 35 means it has 35 liters of carry space, your average school backpack only has 12 or so liters. I also love that this pack opens like a suitcase and you can even tuck in all the straps and use carrying handles, which is a great feature for getting your pack on/off the pane and storing it in the overhead compartment. I also got myself a good set of compression travel cubes. More detail on these must have travel accessories in a later post. The set I got are from a company a called Tripped Travel Gear. I paid a little extra for the National park theme set, but they have plain ones as well for $10 less. You can find them on Amazon for a good price. Compression cubes are an essential item when trying to fit it all in and stay organized. I also like that they are water resistant (as is the pack itself), so I have a bit less stress when slugging up the hills in the rain with everything I need to keep me warm and dry for the next 2 weeks is on my back.

I was able to fit in all in, with a lot of room to spare! As you can see, the outside extra pockets are still empty…I call that “souvenir space”.

I hope this helps anyone who might be thinking about packing light and not sure how possible it is. Follow me for future blogs, tips, and stories from this suddenly solo female traveler. If I can leave you with one piece of advice, it is to not spend your life waiting for someone to go with you. If you want to see the world and have adventures, just go. The nerves and anxiety will work themselves out and you will not regret stepping out of your comfort zone. Happy traveling.