What To Wear in Scotland

The Scottish Highlands – dramatic, wind-carved, almost sculptural in their beauty – have long drawn artists, philosophers and aesthetes who understand that true chic whispers rather than shouts. Coco Chanel was one of them. Her time in Scotland yielded the sporting tweeds and cashmeres that would become cornerstones of her legendary fashion empire. Her dictum – “luxury is the opposite of vulgarity, not poverty” – could just as easily describe the Royal Scotsman, the grand sleeper train that departs Edinburgh to the sound of bagpipes and glides north into the wilderness.  

On board, elegance is measured not in excess but in atmosphere. The wood-panelled carriages exude a kind of patrician ease: more country estate than gilded railway fantasy. The dress code, too, leans towards “cosy refinement”. Think superfine cashmere, jewel-rich hues, a hint of shearling and the quiet authority of Scottish staples – kilts, tweeds, the unmistakable geometry of tartan. You will find yourself stopping at storied distilleries and remote lochs, where wild swimming is not only possible but, for some, irresistible.  

This is the heartland of discreet chic, where idle days are spent relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine, as a light breeze tenderly resets your nervous system. It’s important to be comfortable on a boat, which is what no one ever tells you. Think lightweight linen shirts, a classic pair of blue jeans, triple-ply cashmere sweaters and minimally branded accessories. The idea is to look like you’re not trying. 

The French even came up with a word for it: insouciance. You’ll want to be relaxed enough for an impromptu picnic on a riverbank and elegant enough to pass as a connoisseur at a private wine tasting amidst the vines. And, like a good wine, it’s all about great taste – not over-the-top opulence. This is a grown-up trip for those who enjoy the finer things in life, not just the flashiest.