Every summer, people arrive in the Highlands in shorts and flip-flops, look at the mountains, and think "how bad can it be?" Then the rain starts, the temperature drops 10 degrees, and the midges descend. We've seen it happen. We've done it ourselves. Learn from our mistakes.
1. Cotton Everything
Cotton holds moisture. When it gets wet — from rain or sweat — it stays wet and makes you cold. Jeans, cotton t-shirts, and cotton hoodies are the worst things you can wear in the Highlands. Bring merino wool or synthetic layers instead. One merino base layer is worth three cotton t-shirts.
2. Forgetting the Midge Net
"How bad can insects be?" Bad enough that people abandon campsites and cut trips short. A midge head net costs £5 and weighs 30 grams. It's the most important piece of gear you'll bring between June and September. Don't be the person trying to buy one at 8pm in Portree when every shop is closed and the midges are at their peak.
3. One Pair of Shoes (That Aren't Waterproof)
The ground in the Highlands is wet. Paths are boggy. Streams need crossing. If you bring one pair of trainers, they will be wet within your first hour of walking and stay wet for the rest of the trip. Bring waterproof hiking boots. And a second pair of shoes for evenings. Dry feet are happy feet.
4. No Waterproof Trousers
A waterproof jacket isn't enough. When it rains sideways — and it will — water runs down your jacket onto your legs. Waterproof overtrousers weigh 200 grams and take up no space. Pack them. Your jeans will thank you. (But also don't wear jeans — see mistake #1.)
5. Relying on Phone GPS
Phone signal is non-existent in most Highland glens and on most mountains. Your GPS app won't load. Your phone battery drains faster searching for signal. Download offline maps (Google Maps and OS Maps) before you go. Carry a paper map and compass as backup. If you don't know how to use a compass, learn before you come.
6. Underestimating the Wind
The temperature might say 10°C but with a 30mph wind it feels like 2°C. A windproof layer is as important as a waterproof one. The combo of wind + rain is what makes Highland weather genuinely dangerous. Bring gloves and a hat even in summer. Your hands will thank you on a windy summit.
7. "I'll Buy It There"
Outdoor shops in Fort William and Aviemore exist. But they're expensive, they close at 5pm, and they might not have what you need. Buy your gear before you travel. The only thing you should buy locally is midge repellent — Smidge or Avon Skin So Soft, both widely available.
Editor's Note
I once arrived in Glencoe with a single pair of Vans and a denim jacket. It rained for three days straight. By day two, my shoes had become amphibious organisms and I was drying my socks on the radiator of the Clachaig Inn while wearing plastic bags on my feet. Don't be me. Buy boots.