What to bring on a Highland fling

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The author on the shores of Loch Lomond
The author on the shores of Loch Lomond © Fionn Hargreaves

I lived in Glasgow briefly in 2016 and fell madly in love with it. The air smells of malt in the afternoons and the city is a melting pot of delicious food and fascinating culture. I now make an annual trip – preferably in winter when there’s a frosty bite and the lingering dusk starts at three in the afternoon. This year’s pilgrimage is an anniversary trip with my girlfriend and a Hogmanay celebration in Edinburgh to ring in 2023. Here’s what I’ll be taking with me…


Grenson leather Brady hiker boots

Grenson leather Brady hiker boots, £335
Grenson leather Brady hiker boots, £335

One of Glasgow’s joys is how easy it is to get into proper yomping countryside from the centre of town, and we’ll be taking the time for a ramble around Loch Lomond. But if I’m heading up on the Caledonian Sleeper, I’m packing light. These classic leather stompers from Grenson will stand up to a little off-roading but I don’t look like a twerp if I pair them with jeans around town. £335, grenson.com


Pringle of Scotland lambswool round-neck jumper

Pringle of Scotland lambswool round-neck jumper, £395
Pringle of Scotland lambswool round-neck jumper, £395

I have a weakness for a cosy knit, and they’re essential wearing in the Scottish winter. I love the cheerful stripes on this classic crew-neck from Pringle, which was made in Scotland with brushed lambswool yarn. £395, pringlescotland.com 


The North Face recycled-polyester and down Hydrenalite parka

The North Face Hydrenalite parka, £315
The North Face Hydrenalite parka, £315

Another one to file in the stay-warm-at-any-cost category. I’ve been making envious eyes at my girlfriend’s “duvet coat” since the day we met, so it’s high time I had one of my own. I’m keen on this one from The North Face since both the polyester outer and the waterfowl down stuffing are recycled. £315, thenorthface.co.uk


Talisker 10-year-old single-malt Scotch whisky

Talisker 10-year-old single-malt Scotch whisky, £43.95
Talisker 10-year-old single-malt Scotch whisky, £43.95

So it’s not a £16mn Ardbeg – but the warming peat notes in Talisker’s 10-year-old Skye whisky make for a fortifying dram after a chilly walk. It’s fancy enough to raise a glass at midnight on New Year’s Eve but not so rarefied that mixing it into a hot chocolate feels sacrilegious. £43.95, masterofmalt.com


Orlebar Brown x Wham! Dachshund swim briefs

Orlebar Brown x Wham! Dachshund swim briefs, £125
Orlebar Brown x Wham! Dachshund swim briefs, £125

Over in Edinburgh we’ll be trying the time-honoured New Year’s Day tradition of the Loony Dook – a freezing-cold dip in the Firth of Forth ideally done while dressed like a fool. I can’t think of anything more foolish than these Club Tropicana-inspired swimming briefs. My apologies in advance to anyone who has to witness it. £125, orlebarbrown.com


Steam Deck 512GB handheld games console

Steam Deck 512GB, £569
Steam Deck 512GB, £569

It’s a long old train ride from Scotland to London, so it’s a lifeline for my girlfriend that I can bring my collection of video games with me. It’s not as cultured as bringing a Kindle, but nobody’s perfect – and a Kindle can’t run Doom Eternal. £569, store.steampowered.com


Canon EOS M50 Mark II mirrorless camera

Canon EOS M50 Mark II camera, £699
Canon EOS M50 Mark II camera, £699

My Canon comes with me everywhere – the EOS M50 II has the classic humpback shape of a DSLR with the viewfinder above the lens, but in the tight package of a mirrorless. I find the 15-45mm kit lens works well for most purposes but I’ll slip the 22mm f/2 pancake lens into a pocket too. Its wide aperture is handy in the weak winter light and it makes for gorgeous shallow depth of field when I’m taking portrait shots. £699, wexphotovideo.com; lens, £229, wexphotovideo.com

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