Best Places For Autumn In Scotland

While I’m up for going exploring whenever I have a minute, Autumn in Scotland is a pretty special time. The leaves are changing, the weather gets especially moody and wildlife really puts on a show. It’s a time for soups, stews and woolly jumpers, crisp days and roaring fires. Not to mention some big Scottish celebrations on the way like Halloween or St Andrews Day!

You’re hardly going to go wrong, no matter where you go, but here’s a rundown of the best things to do and places to visit during autumn in Scotland.

What Is Autumn In Scotland Like?

Officially, Autumn in Scotland starts in September and carries on until November, although by the end it really feels like winter is coming. The weather does get more unpredictable, but it really isn’t too cold and huge dumps of snow are rare. One important thing to note is that it’s changeable, so be prepared that you might be wrapped up early on, in a t-shirt by lunchtime, then waterproofs by evening.

The main tourist season is over by Autumn, it’s known as a shoulder season where business is beginning to wind down. Always make sure that if you’re planning any castles or food stops that they haven’t already closed until spring! The majority of large attractions will still be open to the end of October, but just in case, keep reading for loads of open-air autumn activities!

Scotland’s Autumn Colours In Perthshire

The first place I head to every year and at the top of most “Scotland in Autumn” lists is Perthshire. Known as Big Tree Country, it’s a great place to see those classic autumnal colours on a crisp walk through nature. Easily accessible from the central belt, you can enjoy a journey through Perthshire in no time.

Easily the most popular spot in Perthshire to witness the best of Scotland in Autumn is The Hermitage near Dunkeld. Get there early before it’s too busy and it’s a pretty magical place. It’s a sculpted landscape, designed as a pleasure walk and you’ll find a picturesque bridge, soaring trees and the magnificent Ossian’s Hall. Pull back the sliding door, wander through the mirrored room and be met with the crashing noise of the Black Linn Falls.

If you’re looking for an evening event that’s entertaining for both adults and children, then you can’t go wrong with the Enchanted Forest. Located in Faskally Wood, a series of lightshows and soundscapes set amongst the natural landscape are there to entertain for all of October. The Enchanted Forest has been going for two decades and this year’s show is more accessible and disability friendly than ever!

Chase Stronger Waterfalls Near Loch Ness

One thing that always indicates autumn in Scotland has begun is the inevitable increase in rain. You might not think that’s a welcome sign or a reason to head out exploring, but you’d be wrong! More rain means more water, more water means bigger, more impressive waterfalls.

While there are waterfalls all over the country, to get the most out of autumn in Scotland, I’d recommend exploring around Loch Ness. We’re looking for water and Loch Ness itself has more water than all the lakes and rivers in England and Wales combined! All that has to come from somewhere, so you can be sure you have plenty of waterfalls to choose from.

In my opinion, the most impressive is the 46 metre drop at Plodda Falls, especially after heavy rain. The platform looking out over the gargantuan trees is especially impressive during autumn and very easy to get to. Elsewhere around Loch Ness, you’ll find Dog Falls, Falls of Foyers, Falls of Divach and the tumbling water around Invermoriston Bridge. Spoiled for choice!

A Quieter Time To Drive the NC500

In case you’ve never heard of it, the North Coast 500 or NC500 is a 516-mile driving route around the north coast of Scotland. It takes in some of the country’s most spectacular scenery, dramatic roads and remote communities. The only problem is that in recent years it has become so popular that throughout summer it can be nose to tail traffic.

That’s why if you’re visiting Scotland in autumn then this is your chance for a queiter drive around the NC500! It’s so much more than just a road and if you’re whizzing around to make up time after being stuck in traffic earlier, you’ll be missing things. Autumn in Scotland is a great time to support some of the local businesses on the route who need income all year round, not just for three busy months!

You’ll have extra pocket money to spend since most attractions around the NC500 are free. It’s full of open air places that don’t close after summer, like beaches, caves and ruins like Ardvreck Castle! I spent almost a whole week in the “off-season” just on the east coast stretch so you won’t struggle for things to do in Autumn!

It’s Finally Time For Skye

Not far from the NC500 and even more popular, the Isle of Skye is one of Scotland’s wonders. The island is in a similar situation, incredibly busy during the summer months and then the tourists start to drop off towards winter. I love Skye, it’s really hard not to, but try and avoid it during the middle of the year.

However, the Isle of Skye in autumn is the perfect time to visit! If you want to see places like the Fairy Pools then you’re going to appreciate them much more without masses in the way of your photographs. When it comes to the scenery, a little bit of Scottish autumnal weather just makes it more dramatic. The Cuillings, Old Man of Storr and the Quiraing all look better amongst moody clouds than a bright blue sky.

One thing to note is that only five of Skye’s seven castles are ruins, accessible at any time of year. The other two, Dunvegan and Armadale, both start closing up in October so check before visiting!

Experience Scottish Wildlife’s Autumn Show

Scotland is famous for its wildlife and in Autumn it really puts on a show. Head to the fish ladder in Pitlochry through October and November to see some majestic salmon leaping. You have a much better chance of seeing red squirrels scampering around and birdlife arrives to avoid the harsher winter on the continent.

None of that really compares to the best show put on during autumn in Scotland though. This is when the red deer rut takes place and the stags let you know about it! If you’re walking in the hills then keep your ears open for these mighty beasts, heads now full of hard antler, roaring at each other to assert their dominance.

Scotland has far too many red deer so there are lots of places to spot them. The Isle of Arran has a healthy population as do the Isles of Rum and Jura, ideal for a weekend getaway. If you’re avoiding ferries then head along the quiet road beside Loch Arkaig instead. I was surprised to find dozens of them right by the road towards dusk, until I realised that was when the estate van fed them!

Gaze At Autumn’s Dark Skies In Galloway

Autumn in Scotland means longer, darker nights and they don’t come much darker than in Galloway. There is a commitment in the area to avoid excess light pollution and now Galloway Forest is a designated Dark Sky Park! That makes it one of the best places in Scotland for stargazing and there are around 300 square miles to explore.

While winter might be getting a little too cold, autumn is the perfect time to go camping. The temperature won’t usually drop too low, but the best part is that by now all the midges have gone! If you haven’t experienced them then count yourself lucky, swarms of millions of miniscule bloodsuckers…

When it comes to camping, Scotland is open access as long as you’re responsible. So find a quiet space somewhere in Galloway, pitch your tent and make sure to look up after dark. Just keep warm and remember what I said about this being the season for soups and stews. A wee hipflask of whisky won’t go amiss either!

Coorie Down In A Pub For Seasonal Food

I’m a big believer in people eating both seasonally and locally. Fortunately, Scotland has a fantastic natural larder no matter the time of year so you’re in for a treat. Autumn in Scotland means lots of root vegetables, great fish options, fruit falling off trees and of course lots of game meat. Haggis, neeps and tatties always tastes best on a chilly day!

So if it’s cold outside, with the wind howling and the rain battering the windows, then you know where to go. Find a local pub with a roaring fire and try and perch yourself as close as possible. Grab a pint, some seasonal autumn food and wash everything down with a dram or two.

Anybody else hungry?

Experience Samhain in Edinburgh

The last way to spend autumn in Scotland is a very specific event that only happens one night a year. You might know it as Halloween, but that’s just a modern version of the centuries old tradition of Samhain. Dusk on the 31st of October is an important date in the old calendar, the official start of winter and thought to be when the veil between the spirit and mortal worlds was at its thinnest.

Samhain was once celebrated across Scotland and while there aren’t many events left, the biggest is found in Edinburgh. Sometimes its a street procession, sometimes a huge event on Calton Hill or for 2022 found in Holyrood Park, but it always involves a lot of fire!

Edinburgh’s Samhain festival is a mix of old Celtic beliefs with modern interpretations thrown in, but no matter what you believe in, it’s a lot of fun. There are few places where you can see a show quite like this so I would absolutely recommend joining in given the opportunity.

Ready For Autumn In Scotland?

So now you know the best places to find forests of golden leaves, pumped up waterfalls and dark, starry nights. You’ve got quieter roads for trips around Skye and the NC500 and plenty of local, seasonal food to keep you going. There’s no midges, lots of impressive wildlife and finger’s crossed there’s no snow yet.

Surely that means you’re ready for autumn in Scotland now?

If you want more seasonal adventures, then how about a real adventure Visiting Shetland in Winter?

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