We’re so thrilled to have you on board and can’t wait to show you our incredible country. We know you’re probably looking forward to it even more than we are, so we thought we’d prepare a little something below to help you get ready for your adventure!

Scotland is a country full of contrasts. One moment it may be warm and sunny, then suddenly you’re caught up in a flurry of snow. It’s a wonderful chaotic place to live; but this does mean you need to be prepared. So here’s what we think you ought to pack to get the best out of your Scotland trip, regardless of the time of year!

1. 1. Good strong walking shoes/boots that can get wet (no necessarily waterproof, but I’d leave the suede at home).
   2. A good waterproof jacket in case the heavens suddenly open.
   3. Plenty of layers to wear underneath your jacket. Choose something light and breathable like merino wool and make sure you have lots of dry socks.
   4. A portable charger for your phone during the day so you can still take photos. You can only use a wall charger in the evenings at the accommodation.
   5. An openness to meeting new people. As long as you go into the tour with an excitement to make memories, we know you’ll make friendships for life.

All our tours leave from Castle Rock Hostel in the centre of Edinburgh.

Tours leave at 9am in the Summer months (April–October) and they leave at 8am in the winter months (November–March). In Scotland, the clocks change 1 hour forwards in Spring and 1 hour backwards in autumn (fall). Changing the departure time of tours in this way gives us as much sunlight as possible for sightseeing year-round.

We ask you to arrive at least 30 minutes before your tour departure to get yourself signed in, grab any merch you’ve paid for and to help us get going on time. For this reason we also recommend staying in Edinburgh overnight before the tour.

As you’ve booked your tour you’ll have a 10% promo code in your confirmation email for Castle Rock Hostel, Royal Mile Backpackers and High Street Hostel so that you can save even more on your Scotland adventure. We do suggest booking your spot in the city as early as you can, especially during the summer, as Edinburgh accommodation can get expensive and/or fully booked if you leave it last minute.

Now that you’ve read through our quick guide, you should just about be ready for your #UltimateScottishAdvenute. Head on over to our socials if you’d like to get yourself even more excited! Follow @macbackpackers on Instagram and TikTok.

You can also have a read through our blog if you’re hoping to do some research before your trip. We have plenty of tips and insights from previous guests!

Lastly, if you have any questions or need to know more, head to our FAQs page below or contact us.