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I lived briefly in Glasgow in 2016 and fell madly in love with it. The air smells of malt in the afternoon and the city is a melting pot of delicious food and fascinating culture. I now make an annual trip – preferably in the winter when there is a frost bite and lingering twilight begins at three in the afternoon. This year’s pilgrimage is a birthday trip with my girlfriend and a celebration of Hogmanay in Edinburgh to ring in 2023. Here’s what I’ll be taking with me…
Brady Grenson Leather Hiker Boots
Brady Leather Grenson Hiking Boots, £335
One of the joys of Glasgow is how easy it is to access the bustling countryside from the city centre, and we’ll take time to stroll around Loch Lomond. But if I head for the Caledonian Sleeper, I pack light. These classic leather stompers from Grenson will hold up to a bit of off-roading, but I don’t look like a twerp if I pair them with jeans on the town. £335, grenson.com
Pringle of Scotland lambswool crew neck sweater
Pringle of Scotland Lambswool Crew Neck Jumper, £395
I have a weakness for cozy knitwear and it’s a Scottish winter essential. I love the cheerful stripes on this classic Pringle crew neck, which has been made in Scotland with brushed lambswool yarn. £395, pringlescotland.com
The North Face Recycled Polyester and Hydrenalite Down Parka
The North Face Hydrenalite Parka, £315
Another to be categorized as staying warm at all costs. Ever since the day we met, I’ve been making envious eyes at my girlfriend’s “duvet coat,” so it’s high time I got one of my own. I love this one from The North Face because the polyester exterior and waterfowl down filling are recycled. £315, thenorthface.co.uk
Talisker 10 Year Old Single Malt Scotch Whiskey
So it’s not a £16m Ardbeg, but the warming peat notes of Talisker’s 10-year-old Skye Whiskey make for an invigorating dram after an icy ride. It’s chic enough to raise a glass to at midnight on New Year’s Eve, but not so rarefied that mixing it into hot chocolate seems sacrilegious. £43.95, masterofmalt.com
Orlebar Brown x Wham! Dachshund swim brief
Orlebar Brown x Wham! Dachshund swim brief, £125
In Edinburgh, we’ll try the centuries-old New Year’s tradition of Loony Dook – a freezing dip in the Firth of Forth ideally done while dressed like a fool. I can’t think of anything crazier than this Club Tropicana inspired swim brief. My apologies in advance to anyone who has to witness this. £125, orlebarbrown.com
Steam Deck 512GB Handheld Game Console
It’s a long train ride from Scotland to London, so it’s a lifesaver for my girlfriend that I can bring my video game collection with me. It’s not as cultured as bringing a Kindle, but nobody’s perfect – and a Kindle can’t work Eternal destiny. £569, store.steampowered.com
Canon EOS M50 Mark II Mirrorless Camera
Canon EOS M50 Mark II camera, £699
My Canon goes with me everywhere – the EOS M50 II has the classic bump shape of a DSLR with the viewfinder above the lens, but in the compact body of a mirrorless. I find the 15-45mm kit lens works fine for most purposes, but I’ll also slip the 22mm f/2 pancake lens into a pocket. Its large aperture comes in handy in low winter light and provides wonderful depth of field when I’m shooting portraits. £699, wexphotovideo.com; lens, £229, wexphotovideo.com
