Bags, passports, the UK ETA, plugs, and the few things that make the overnight easier.
These checks stay on this device only. Nobody else can see them.
You hand this to JetBlue before security. It travels in the cargo hold, so you will not have access to it during the flight.
Think: most clothes, shoes, full-size toiletries, bulky items.
This stays with you through security and onto the plane. JetBlue's maximum is 22 × 14 × 9 inches, including wheels and handles.
Think: small roller bag, change of clothes, valuables, things you would want if the checked suitcase were delayed.
This also stays with you, but it must fit under the seat in front of you. JetBlue's maximum is 17 × 13 × 8 inches.
Think: backpack, purse, laptop bag. Passport, phone, chargers, headphones, medications, snacks.
A photo of it on your phone is useful backup, but it does not replace the physical passport. For UK entry, the passport should be valid for the whole stay.
U.S. travelers need a UK Electronic Travel Authorisation before travel unless an exemption applies. It is tied to the passport used for the application and currently costs £20 on GOV.UK.
Use the official UK ETA app or GOV.UK. Third-party sites may charge extra. Allow up to three working days even though decisions often arrive sooner.
Because the ETA is linked to the passport, replacing the passport can affect the travel permission attached to it.
For ordinary liquids, gels, creams and pastes, use containers of 3.4 oz / 100 mL or less in the normal TSA liquids setup. Full-size shampoo, sunscreen, etc. is easiest in the checked suitcase.
Medications are allowed through security, and medically necessary liquids can exceed the normal 3.4 oz / 100 mL limit. Keep essential medicine in your carry-on so it stays with you even if checked luggage is delayed.
Keep power banks and spare lithium batteries in carry-on luggage, not the checked suitcase. The easiest rule for this trip: battery-powered charging stuff stays with you.
Bring an empty reusable bottle through security and fill it afterward. Do not arrive at the checkpoint with it full.
Passport, wallet, phone, medications, eyeglasses, headphones, charging cable, power bank, one layer, anything you need during the flight.
Change of clothes, underwear, extra medication, valuables, rain shell, anything that would make a delayed checked bag merely annoying instead of disastrous.
Most clothes, extra shoes, full-size toiletries, bulkier items. Leave some room for things bought in Scotland.
Scotland uses Type G outlets. Most modern phone/laptop chargers accept UK voltage automatically, but the plug shape still needs an adapter.
Wind makes umbrellas less useful. A light waterproof layer belongs in the van every day.
Castles, cobbles, wet paths and uneven historic sites. This is not the trip for brand-new shoes.
Contactless payment is widespread. A small amount of cash is useful, but nobody needs to arrive carrying piles of pounds.
Once we are on the road, the safest default is passport on your person or securely at the lodging, not visible in a parked vehicle.
September can swing between chilly, damp, sunny and windy in the same day. Build around layers.
No, not as a general rule. Keep your airline reservation, lodging information and ETA confirmation accessible on your phone. A paper copy of the core itinerary is optional backup, not a requirement.
No. We can get cash after arrival if needed. Cards and contactless will cover most purchases. If your bank charges foreign transaction fees, that is worth knowing before the trip.
That depends on your carrier and plan. Before departure, check whether your plan includes UK roaming or whether you need an international add-on. This site caches the core itinerary for basic offline access.
No. Some hours are written as a split on purpose. Anyone can take the slower option and we regroup later.
The live day pages include the hierarchy of the day. On the longer days we already know what gets cut first. The goal is not to finish the itinerary; it is to have a good day.
Rules change. Airline baggage, TSA screening, and UK entry details on this page were checked against JetBlue, TSA, and GOV.UK on August 14, 2026. Re-check them shortly before departure. Official sources: jetblue.com/at-the-airport/baggage-information, tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/liquids-aerosols-gels-rule, gov.uk/eta.