Join our inner circle to get the latest in travel, beauty, style & more !

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.

Enfants

What Our Enfants Editor Is Packing For The Scottish Highlands

The Highlands of Scotland are wonderful at any time of year, but as the colours change the scenery becomes even more beautiful in the autumn, making this the perfect time to visit.

Citizen Enfants Editor Morag Turner heads north of the border every October half-term to her visit her family home in the Highlands. From long walks in the mountains and sporting pursuits, to sight seeing and cosy dinners, it’s a wonderful week of fun and fresh air.

Here she tells us what she is packing – think chunky knits, Barbour jackets and riding boots – along with some suggestions on how to plan a stylish Highland adventure with or without kids in tow.


What To Wear For A Night On The Sleeper Train

You can easily hop on a plane to either Inverness or Aberdeen airport to get quick and easy access to the Highlands, but by far my favourite way to travel north with my family is by train. Board the Caledonian Sleeper train at Euston Station around 7pm and start by settling into the restaurant car for dinner, drinks and a game of cards. Then head along to your cabin to tuck in for the night. For grown-up luxury, Belmond’s Royal Scotsman train is an unmatched experience to explore the Highlands, with heritage inspired cabins and Scottish splendour taking your journey to new heights.

I pack my small overnight bag from Paravel to take into the cabin (the suitcases go in the luggage room) and in that I’ll have cosy PJs from the Eberjey, cashmere socks and some travel size beauty essentials such as my Crème De La mer lip balm and Neom hand cream.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Royal Scotsman (@belmondroyalscotsman)


What To Wear For A Walk In The Hills

Scotland is such a beautiful country and one of the best ways to see it is on foot, discovering one of the many hiking and walking paths. There are so many to choose from with flat and gentle tracks right through to much more challenging climbs. The Cairngorms National Park is packed with trails or The West Highland Way is a well-known classic route that you can do over a couple of days or dip into just one section for a few hours. My personal favourite is The Speyside Way as it’s very close to my family home and I love walking different parts – from meandering riverside stretches to much more uphill areas – all with magnificent views. 

Keeping warm and comfortable is important. A Barbour jacket is ideal in the Highlands as are good layers. I’ll wear jeans and pop on a base from Uniqlo’s HeatTech range, a plaid shirt and a cashmere jumper underneath my coat. Good hiking boots are not that glam, but essential for comfort and stability on long walks. Finally it’s a cap, some toasty gloves and a scarf.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Cairngorms National Park (@thecairngorms)


What To Wear For A Day Of Outdoor Sports

From clay pigeon shooting and fly fishing to archery and falconry – there are so many great outdoor pursuits to try in the Highlands and my family love them all. We had a particularly great time when we met some of the spectacular birds of prey at the wonderful falconry centre at Gleneagles on a recent stay. A very family-friendly hotel if you are travelling with children. 

Each sport requires specific sporting kit, but as a basic rule I always make sure I have comfortable leggings, sturdy boots – Grenson Nanette boots are my favourites – and I never really go anywhere without my Rayban Wayfarers. For a wintery look I’ll add a fair isle sweater too, especially on Christmas trips. Whether we are driving up into the hills or down to the riverside, I’ll pack a big picnic in our trusty family hamper (think warm soup, smoked salmon sandwiches and plenty of tea and cake) that we can all enjoy out the back of the Land Rover.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Barbour (@barbour)


What To Wear For Sightseeing And Shopping

The Highlands is an area teeming with outstanding historical sites and interesting places to visit. From the fascinating visitors centre at the Culloden Battlefield (kids will love it) to amazing distilleries like The Macallan and Glenfiddich who offer tours and tasting (more for the grown-ups) and draw in thousands of international visitors every year.

There’s also some super shopping opportunities – an essential part of any holiday! I always pop into the Johnstons of Elgin store to pick up some gorgeous cashmere and to The House of Bruar (known as the ‘Harrods of the North’) which has the most fantastic food hall and chic homeware department. With no need to dress for the elements as such, I’d wear slim jeans, a roll neck sweater and knee high riding boots with a long coat and cross body bag.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by VisitScotland (@visitscotland)


What To Wear For A Cosy Dinner

Autumn evenings in the Highlands are all about cosy suppers and roaring fires. We have big family get togethers at my home, but also love to have dinner at one of the lovely local hotels or country pubs. Look to The Fife Arms, the quintessential chic Highland hotel, or Inverlochy Castle, renowned for being one of Scotland’s best five-star properties for the ultimate cosy dinner spot.

It’s all quite relaxed and casual so I’d opt for jeans, low-heeled boots and a blouse – one in an autumnal shade or print would be perfect at this time of year. Add some statement gold earrings and a slouchy handbag. Just the right amount of dressing up.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The Fife Arms (@thefifearms)


Lead image: MALINA

We may earn a commission if you buy something from any affiliate links on our site.

You May Also Like

Any Questions or Tips to add?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Share