Dealing with packing and baggage can be tricky on any trip, least of all on a multi-day trek. You may be asking yourself, "What jacket should I bring?", "Is my backpack big enough?", "How will my bags get from A to B?", and "Do I really need that selfie stick?" In this email we'll try to answer some of those questions and alleviate any concerns you might have.
Best regards,
Pygmy Elephant
The items in your backpack (30–50 liters recommended) will generally fall into six categories: documents, clothing, accessories, hygiene, emergency gear, and food. Following is a small selection of what we recommend you bring.
Documents: This includes your passport and/or visa, cash in British pounds, guidebook and maps, and proof of your travel insurance, which we require for all hikers (more on this in a future email).
Clothing: At the very least you should have broken-in hiking boots, hiking pants or shorts, non-cotton base layers, a waterproof and breathable jacket, and synthetic hiking socks. Weather conditions on the trail can vary significantly, so pack layers that you can easily add or remove as needed.
Accessories: Items in this category might include sunglasses, hiking poles, flip-flops, hat, head lamp, and a towel.
Hygiene: Sunscreen, toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and soap, blister plaster, and earplugs.
Emergency gear: The Scottish Highlands are a safe region for hiking, but you still might want a whistle, a first aid kit, or a space blanket.
Food: In addition to your lunch, you might want chocolate, trail mix, sausage or cheese, fruit, or energy bars in your backpack.
One of the great things about hiking in the Scottish Highlands is the fantastic infrastructure. All accommodations are covered by a local baggage transfer service, which means you can hike light and still have access to all of your gear. Below are important guidelines for this service.
Have your bags packed and ready to be picked up by 8:30 AM.
Bags must be clearly identifiable with name tags.
Limit your bag weight to no more than 20 kg (40 lbs).
Any type of bag is allowed.
Bags may not contain valuable items, drinks or food, or medication.
Your bag will be delivered to your night's accommodation by 4:30 PM. If you have extra luggage, we can store it for you at a charge per unit, per day. Please let us know if you are interested in baggage storage.
For inquiries regarding your specific itinerary, please contact your group leader or key travel builder. If you have any questions about the content of this email, feel free to reply here.
Pygmy Elephant, 306 S Washington, Royal Oak, MI 48067
