Scotland Is a great place to visit at any time of year, but Autumn is my favourite. Discover the quaint villages like Birnam, the Scottish home to author Beatrix Potter and nearby Queen’s View with forest walks and an old Victorian folly. Then there is Deeside a part of Aberdeenshire with scenic driving routes and Balmoral Castle. Continue west from Aberdeenshire into the Cairngorms National Park where you could spot one of the elusive Pine Martins, Red Squirrels, one of the Grouse family or the statuesque Red Deers. How will you explore these places I hear you ask? There are some incredible fun ways to travel around Scotland from hiring a classic car such as a Morgan or perhaps you would like to enjoy a steam train journey? Here are some of the best autumn activities in Scotland that you don’t want to miss.
Best Autumn Activities in Scotland to Expore
There are so many great autumn activities in Scotland and places to visit, it really is difficult to do a top 10 or even 20! As you can tell I’m very passionate about Scotland and very lucky to call it home. I love it so much you could say I am a little biased. Born and bred in Scotland I have enjoyed travelling the world, but home is definitely where the heart is! I have had many a stay vacation on the mainland enjoying the national parks, driving through the many different regions with their varying personalities and of course the islands which are also so incredibly different. Did you know the Isle of Arran is known as Scotland in miniature?
Walks
The national parks with ancient forest have a unique energy that has to be visited to experience. The Cairngorms are a marvel, you could be walking along the sandy beach at Loch Morlich and looking up at the mountains and seeing white snow-capped peaks. Looking for a more challenging adventure? Why not try bagging your first Scottish Munro? There are 282 Munro’s to choose from. I can highly recommend Ben Lomond situated on the bonny banks of Loch Lomond.
Loch Morlich, Cairngorms National Park ©MDHardingDriving
Explore Scotland Differently along its many scenic driving routes including the NC500 (North Coast 500), EC250 (East Coast 250) and many more with a classic car from Highland Spirits Tours or perhaps a motorhome and sleep out under the stars. Stop and stay in the highlands with its many castles and Whisky Distilleries. There are also lots of great attractions and places to visit for all the family such as Highland Safaris just outside Aberfeldy in the village of Dull. This attraction is anything but dull! Take one of the mountain safaris which includes a jeep ride over rough terrain, through streams and over heather-clad peaks. Once at the top， warm up in a Scottish Bothy with a wee dram and shortbread that are produced locally. On return don’t miss getting up close with Rua the Red Stag and Ossian the barn owl.
Morgan Tour, Royal Deeside ©MDHarding
Train
Did you know as well as the Jacobite Steam train famous for being in the Harry Potter movies (Hogwarts Express) which journeys from Fort William to Mallaig, you can also climb on-board the Strathspey Railway and enjoy afternoon tea? Delicious!
There is also the famous Northern Belle (Scottish Orient Express) enjoy fine dining as you travel on the West Highland Way Line through Argyll from Edinburgh stopping to explore Inverary Castle (known for scenes in the television series Downtown Abbey).
Travelling with a smaller age group? Have you heard about Bo’ness Steam Railway? Just a short distance from Edinburgh, visit Santa or Thomas the Tank Engine (book in advance for selected dates).
Flying
You could be flying over Scone Palace in a hot air balloon, taking a seaplane exploring the beautiful Loch Lomond or taking one of the shortest scheduled flights in the world from Westray to Papa Westray!
Boat/Cruise
I almost forgot there are many boat trips too and of course, cruises that both explore and stop in Scotland.
As well as the River Forth with a boat trip to Inchcolm Island with its ancient abbey, you could travel down to North Berwick where you could take one of the boat trips with the Seabird Centre to enjoy wildlife spotting from seals to puffins and much more!
Looking for something a bit more classical? Have you heard about the steam vessels The Waverley or the SS Sir Walter Scott? Sail “doon the watter” (down the water) on board one of these historic vessels, exploring some of the best of autumn activities in Scotland from the isles to Loch Katrine.
For the more adventurous why not jump on-board a power boat in Glasgow?
With so many autumn activities in Scotland, what will you decide to do on your next day out or visit to Scotland? I would love to answer any questions you have about Scotland. Please leave any comments/questions below. Happy Travels:) x