I never travel without my indispensable pvc backed tartan travel rug. I purchased my travel rug about 10 years ago for £5 and what value for money, especially appealing to a Scot, not to mention the patriotic tartan design. Here are my 5 reasons why should always take your travel rug.

1 Ideal for sitting comfortably and remaining dry in your chosen spot. In the photo below I am enjoying my coffee and shortbread on the English bank of the River Tweed just across the river from the Scottish border town of Coldstream.

2 The rug makes a great blackout curtain for all these bedrooms that have inadequate curtains. When we stayed in a holiday flat in Orkney one June, our bed was opposite a south facing velux window with a flimsy blind. We managed to jam the rug across the window, held in place with cushions and a standard lamp. Without the rug we’d have been wakened before 5am every morning.

3 The rug provides instant warmth. If your bedroom is chilly at night, you can whip out the rug for some additional warmth. If you’re sitting a a bench and there’s a cool breeze you can wrap the rug around you.

4 If you’re touring in a supermini car there’s not always enough space for your luggage in the boot. If you have to lay some items on the back seat, you use the rug pvc side up to disguise your luggage, lessening the chance of an opportunistic theft.

5 If your holiday accommodation has a shared bathroom, you can quickly wrap your rug around you to dash to the bathroon during the night. Now that most rooms have duvets, you don’t have the option of using the sheet for this purpose.

So now you know all this, better rush down to Wooworths to buy your rug before they’re sold out!