Pack a waterproof jacket and dress in layers.

Consider packing rain boots. You'll be hiking in the woods, walking in cities, and it rains a lot. You don't want to be dealing with cold, wet, tired feet. Warning: many rain boots are uncomfortable or very thin and cold. I highly recommend the Hunter Play rain boot because not only is it 100% waterproof, but it's insanely comfortable and surprisingly warm. Your mileage may vary, but I've tried a lot of rain boots and these were the best.

Bring Avon's Skin So Soft. It's the only thing proven to keep the midges away. Midges are little tiny insects live in the Highlands and come out when it rains to bite you. The problem is since Skin So Soft is an Avon product, it isn't something you can just go to a store and buy, so it's a good idea to bring some from home.

Try the whisky. We had no idea we'd like it and we were pleasantly surprised. It really gives a sense of place -- the burning peat, the heather, sea salt air, honey -- gorgeous.

If you don't like Irn Bru, keep it to yourself. Scots take a lot of pride in their national soft drink and as we all know, opinions are like assholes. Everyone has one...

Try the haggis! You're on vacation to see the world, better try the local delicacies. You can get haggis appetizers with duck sauce, haggis on a burger, haggis tacos, traditional stacked haggis with neeps and tatties (turnips and potatoes.)

Try the tablet (a sweet candy - a cross between fudge and maple sugar candy), Cranachan (a raspberry whipped cream dessert with whisky and oats) and sticky toffee pudding (if the name isn't enough to entice you then I give up.) Millionaire's shortbread is shortbread with caramel on top. YUM.