An autumn break can be the perfect time for a short visit to Scotland. The main tourist areas are calmer after summer’s influx of visitors, and many lesser-known areas await your discovery as they come alive under a cloak of autumnal colours.
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A Spectacular Autumn Break in Scotland
The lower sun creates a softer, golden light that gilds the earth. Grasses flame bronze and gold, bracken turns the hillsides copper and leaves blaze in glorious shades of red, orange and yellow. This magnificent fiery display is accented by scarlet berries and fantastically coloured fungi.
This guide uncovers the most beautiful places in Scotland for an autumn break. We share our top accommodation choices and our favourite ways to spend time in each area.
So come and visit, take a walk, crunch through the leaves. Scotland awaits you.
Crieff, Perthshire
The market town of Crieff makes a perfect base for spending active days in glorious countryside. With a vast network of walks for all levels and plenty of great off-road cycling you are spoilt for choice when it comes to routes.
The nearby Munros Ben Chonzie and Ben Vorlich are as straightforward as climbing a Munro can be. Stuc a’Chroin can also be climbed as an extension to a day out on Ben Vorlich but is much more difficult. Auchnafree Hill is a great option too. For something less strenuous, drive to the car park at the end of the road to Loch Turret and walk along the loch side track which gives fantastic views. It takes about an hour to walk the end, return the same way.
A ten-minute drive from Crieff takes you to the attractive village of Comrie with plenty of lovely places to eat. Comrie is the earthquake capital of the UK, known locally as ‘Shakey Toun.’ Sitting on the Highland Boundary Fault, the tremors are recorded at the Earthquake House where the world’s first seismometer was created. You can’t go inside but you can peer through the window and see the equipment and there are information panels outside. More modern equipment records the tremors today, which are tiny in comparison to other parts of the world. The building is also believed to be the UK’s smallest listed building.
From Comrie a short uphill walk through beautiful beech woods leads to Deil’s Cauldron and Melville’s Monument.
Download file for GPSContinue your drive for a further ten-minutes to reach St Fillans where you can savour the view of Loch Earn stretching away into the distance with Ben Vorlich overlooking it at the far end. The shores of Loch Earn have many perfect picnic spots.
Our favourite walk in Crieff starts at the car park in the town’s MacRosty Park. From here, head across the bridge then follow signs for Lady Mary’s Walk, named after Lady Mary Murray whose family were the local landowners. You soon reach the banks of the river Earn where beavers have left their indelible mark. Look out for otters, kingfishers and heron too. The beech woods are a stunning sight in their autumn hues, glowing like burnished copper in late afternoon sunshine.
Continue along the river until you reach a sign for Laggan Hill, take this path which leads you uphill to a fantastic viewpoint with a bench. Resume your walk now following signs to Hosh where you’ll reach Glenturret Distillery. The distillery is well worth a visit and has a nice, if expensive café as well as a Michelin starred restaurant, also expensive! From here, it’s a short stroll back into town. The walk is 9km and there are lots of options to shorten or lengthen it.
For a day of cycling, head to Comrie Croft, a renowned hotspot for cyclists. Bring your own bike or hire one here to explore miles of top trails for all abilities.
Download file for GPSBest Accommodation
Comrie Croft has a range of accommodation including Nordic Katas, an Ecolodge and ‘almost wild’ camping for tents and campervans. There’s a café and farm shop too.
Leven House is a traditional bed and breakfast in the heart of Crieff. You’ll receive a warm welcome from your hosts and a great breakfast.
Crieff Hydro is a resort hotel offering a huge choice of on-site activities including two swimming pools, a rifle-range, horse-riding, off-road driving, tennis, golf, a spa and choice of dining options.
Getting There
Crieff is around fifty miles from both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports where hiring a car is the easiest option. We recommend Discover Cars for choice and value.
The nearest railway station is Gleneagles, but you’ll need to get a taxi from here to Crieff which is around 25 minutes’ drive. Staying on the train until Perth is a better option, from here you can catch a bus to Crieff which takes 40 minutes.
Comrie can also be reached by bus from Crieff.
Aberfeldy, Perthshire
Aberfeldy is an attractive town which makes a terrific location for exploring the surrounding area. The nearby Falls of Moness inspired Robert Burns to write his song, ‘The Birks of Aberfeldy,’ birks being the Scots word for birch.
The Birks of Aberfeldy can be reached on a 4km circular walk that is signposted from the town centre. It’s an easy trail which leads to a series of waterfalls cascading down the gorge amongst the birks and beech trees. Take a seat alongside Burns at his statue and savour the magnificent setting.
Highland Safaris and Red Deer Centre, is just outside Aberfeldy and offer jeep safaris, cruises on Loch Tay, gold panning and other activities. Some activities close for the winter at the end of October.
For a varied and incredibly scenic day out on your autumn break, take this circular drive. The driving time is two hours but allow an entire day to savour the views and places to visit along the way. Start by heading to Weem where you’ll pass Castle Menzies, you can visit until the end of October when it closes for winter. The castle has a rich history and played host to Bonnie Prince Charlie on his way to Culloden. Four days later the Duke of Cumberland also stayed at the castle before leading his army to defeat the Jacobites at Culloden. Continuing your drive, you’ll pass through the village named Dull, which is twinned with Boring in Oregon.
You’ll soon reach a single-track road to Glen Lyon, described by Sir Walter Scott as ‘The longest, loneliest and loveliest glen in Scotland’. This beautiful road winds through ancient woodland. Stop to see The Fortingall Yew which is possibly the oldest living tree in Europe, some say the oldest living thing in Europe, maybe as much as five thousand years old. You’ll find it in the churchyard which dates from around 700AD and is suspected to have been an especially important early Christian site associated with Iona, the cradle of Scottish Christianity.
From Fortingall, continue to Glen Lyon Tea Room, open 10-4 Friday to Monday in winter. Their home-made soup and scones are legendary.
If you’d like to see some wilder scenery, follow the road to its end at Pubil to see the dams and then return to Bridge of Balgie. Otherwise, continue with the drive which now climbs higher up into the mountains with increasingly spectacular views. Ben Lawers, Scotland’s tenth highest Munro is here. When you reach the road end, instead of heading straight back to Aberfeldy, detour into Killin to see the Falls of Dochart, these turbulent waters rush right through the heart of the village.
When you have had your fill, continue back along the shores of Loch Tay to Kenmore. The main road runs to the north of the loch but a small road also runs along the south side. The south road takes longer but we prefer this route when time allows. At Kenmore you can visit the Crannog Centre before finally returning to Aberfeldy.
Best Accommodation
The Townhouse is a lovely small hotel a five-minute walk from the centre of Aberfeldy, rooms are spacious and individually decorated.
Fernbank Bed and Breakfast is centrally located in a quiet area of town and the owner Tina offers yoga sessions on request. Rooms are bright and traditionally decorated.
Getting There
Aberfeldy is 50 minutes’ drive north of Perth and it’s best to have your own transport. The nearest railway stations are Dunkeld & Birnam and Pitlochry, both about 30 minutes’ drive away. Buses and taxis are available from here to Aberfeldy. The most scenic route from Perth is to take the A9 north and turn onto the A822 by Dunkeld then turn right onto the A826 into Aberfeldy.
Be sure to stop at The Hermitage to experience Perthshire’s Big Tree Country at its best. It’s a fabulous walk in the former playground of the Dukes of Atholl. You’ll see some of the tallest trees in Britain here along with a hermit’s cave and folly. The car park is on the A9 just past the turn off to Dunkeld and is signposted.
Loch Lomond And The Trossachs National Park
Autumn is our absolute favourite time to visit this area. The national park is extremely popular and for good reason, it’s stunning and there’s lots to do. In summer, the hotspots are packed, accommodation is expensive and in short supply and it’s just too busy for us folk who prefer things a little quieter! We live an hour away, so we often explore this beautiful region to discover lesser-known paths and lochs.
There are endless opportunities here for kayaking and paddleboarding, it’s best to bring your own as you can then explore the most scenic areas in pure tranquillity. Aside from Loch Lomond, there are 21 other lochs to explore plus Scotland’s only lake, Lake of Menteith. You can paddle in the sea loch at Long Loch, Arrochar too. Our favourites are Loch Ard and Loch Chon, both have a serene beauty and you’re likely to have them all to yourself. There are plenty of access points too and some tiny sandy beaches.
Cyclists of all kinds are spoilt for choice in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs. Aberfoyle has gained a reputation as the cycling capital of Scotland and is also known as ‘Gravelfoyle.’ You can hire bikes from Aberfoyle Bike Hire.
National Cycle Route 7 runs through the area and offers easy cycling or push yourself and climb The Dukes Pass and make a circuit around Loch Venachar returning to Aberfoyle via Loch Drunkie and the Three Lochs Drive.
For walkers, the rocky and rugged Arrochar Alps offer great hill walks, the most popular being to the summit of Ben Arthur, more commonly referred to as ‘The Cobbler’ due to its shape. Conic Hill at Balmaha offers a wonderful viewpoint across Loch Lomond and its islands and lies on the West Highland Way long distance path. Ben Lomond, Scotland’s most southerly Munro is accessed from Rowardennan and is one of the easier Munros. Ben A’an is the busiest hill in the Trossachs but that’s because it’s so good so we’ll include it! Go early if you want a chance of having the summits to yourself though.
For a less active day, drive along the quieter east side of Loch Lomond, stopping along the way to wander on the beaches, stroll through the woods, or drive to Inversnaid RSPB reserve and Stronachlacher Pier from Aberfoyle. There are many excellent cafes, pubs and restaurants throughout Loch Lomond and the Trossachs and all the towns and villages are picturesque.
If you’d like a boat trip, this one-hour cruise around Loch Lomond departs from Balloch and is perfect for a short trip out on the water.
Loch Katrine is home to the steamship SS Sir Walter Scott and you can cruise up this beautiful loch by booking here You can also hire bikes at Loch Katrine for a scenic cycle along a private road that hugs the loch shore, there’s virtually no traffic.
Best Accommodation
For cyclists taking an autumn break, Aberfoyle is the best base, for walkers, Arrochar or the south end of Loch Lomond are great options. If you like to mix your activities or spend time exploring different areas, then you can’t go wrong and wherever you choose will be great. Here are our favourites.
Cobleland Caravan and Campsite in Queen Elizabeth Forest Park is fabulous. Set amidst 14 acres of statuesque oak trees with river frontage, choose a meadow or woodland pitch and relax.
Dunroamin Lodges at Balfron, near Loch Lomond’s southern end are spacious, well equipped, modern lodges in a rural setting.
The Oak Tree Inn at Balmaha has twice been named as Scotland’s best pub. Its rooms are pretty impressive too and they roast their own coffee and make their own ice-cream! Located right on the shores of Loch Lomond.
Getting There
Public transport and travelling by bike can be good options here if you plan to visit certain parts of the national park. Transport between different area of the park is harder.
Arrochar & Tarbet station is on the line from Glasgow. Trains also stop at Balloch where our recommended loch cruise departs from.
Citilink buses stop at Balloch, Duck Bay, Luss, Inverbeg and Arrochar
Demand Responsive Transport (DRT) is a really useful option for anyone without their own transport. It’s a taxi service that charges the same as a bus fare and runs in rural areas with no bus service. It does require planning ahead and you’ll need to book in advance. DRT doesn’t run all the time. It’s a fantastic way to get dropped off at the start of a walk and picked up somewhere else a few hours later. It can collect you right from the door of your accommodation.
Peebles
Peebles is a thriving small town in the Scottish Borders. It’s set in a horseshoe of hills and the magnificent River Tweed runs through the town providing a start point for many lovely walks. The town has a flourishing art scene and hosts many events and festivals. It also has lots of interesting independent shops and cafes as well as a distillery and gin school.
There are two charming gardens within a short distance of Peebles. Dawyck Botanic Garden contains rare trees from around the world and is open until the end of November. Kailzie Gardens are open all year and are home to a fantastic collection of acers which are at their best in Autumn. You can also try pétanque here as well as fly fishing on the Tweed or make use of the putting green. Both gardens have cafés with lots of great lunch options and cakes too.
Our favourite walk starts in the town’s main car park and follows the River Tweed Walk to Lyne. It takes around 3-4 hours, 12.5km (7.5 miles) and can be shortened by crossing Manor bridge. It passes historic Neidpath Castle and Barns Tower and the area is rich in birdlife.
Download file for GPSGlentress 7Stanes will need no introduction to mountain bikers but there are trails here suitable for all abilities. It’s a world class centre which hosted the UCI Cycling World Championship Mountain Bike Marathon in 2023 and offers some of the UK’s best trails. You can cycle here from Peebles on the Tweed Valley Railway Path, it’s about 2.5 miles or drive to Glentress where you can hire bikes.
Best Accommodation
Cringletie House is a fabulous hotel set within 28 acres of estate including a walled garden. The restaurant has 2 AA Rosettes, and they offer an excellent value Sunday lunch which caters well for vegetarian and vegans too.
Trefoil Cottage is a pretty two-bedroom self-catering cottage 20 minutes from Peebles in rural Blyth Bridge. There’s an aga and wood fired hot tub to warm you up on crisp autumn evenings.
Getting There
Peebles is a 30-minute drive south of Edinburgh and can be reached by bus from here to. Borders Buses link the many border towns. The nearest railway station is Edinburgh.
Glentrool, Galloway
Glentrool is a real gem of a village in a hidden corner of Scotland. It lies in the Galloway Forest Park which has been designated by the International Dark-Sky Association as a Gold Tier Park, the first in the UK. There’s no light pollution and gazing up at the Milky Way stretching across the sky is an awe-inspiring experience not to be missed. The three Forestry and Land Scotland car parks at Glentrool, Kirroughtree and Clatteringshaws offer great night sky viewing. They also have information panels directing you to more good sites. Clear nights with no moon offer the best viewing conditions. For a podcast with more stargazing tips and a map showing the car parks follow this link.
Don’t stay up all night stargazing as there’s much to do in daylight hours too. Galloway deserves far more visitors than it receives. Home to ancient woods, myriad lochs and Merrick, the highest summit in Southern Scotland at 2800ft. There’s a fabulous walk-up Merrick, strenuous but straightforward. It starts at Bruce’s Stone which commemorates Robert the Bruces’ defeat of the English Army at Loch Trool in 1307. You can see Yr Wyddfa (Snowdon) from the top on a clear day.
There’s a 7Stanes mountain bike trail centre here with bike hire available. The Big Country route is 58km (36 miles) of forest tracks and quiet roads. The whole area is crossed with miles of trails and quiet roads for cycling. The Wild Goat Park is a refuge for this primitive breed that still live wild in the local hills. The Red Deer Range enables you to get up close viewings of these majestic animals from the hide.
A couple of other towns nearby are well worth visiting. Newton Stewart is a lovely small town filled with cafes and galleries. Wigtown has been designated as Scotland’s national book town and has abundant second-hand and specialist book shops. wigtown-booktown.co.uk This literary town also holds the annual Wigtown Book Festival, 27th September to 6th October 2024.
Best Accommodation
Corrafeckloch Forest Cottages are secluded in eleven acres rich in wildlife and offer walking and cycling from the door. Step outside in the evenings and gaze in wonder at the skies above.
Glentrool Camping and Caravan Site have static caravans for hire and welcome tents and tourers. There’s a lovely inn just a few minutes’ walk away.
Stables Guest House in Newton Stewart has really helpful hosts who will help you make the most of your time here. Rooms are extremely comfortable, and breakfast is fabulous.
Getting There
Glentrool is just under two hours by road from Carlisle and Glasgow. The nearest railway station is Barrhill, about a 15-minute taxi journey away or an hour by bike. Your own transport is the best option.
When To Visit For An Autumn Break
Mid-October to mid-November offers the greatest chance of experiencing the best autumn colours across Scotland. Evenings are lighter until the end of October when the clocks go back one hour. It gets dark around 17.00 in early November making for lovely cosy evenings around a log fire or a village inn.
The weather can be sunny and dry with crisp frosty mornings or warmer and wetter with bruised skies full of dramatic clouds and shafts of sunlight bursting through. Being Scotland, you’ll probably experience both! It does snow in November but rarely lies for long, if at all, unless you are heading up into the Cairngorms or higher hills it’s not usually a factor. Late December can see more snow.
Almost all tourist attractions stay open until the end of October when some close for the winter. Everywhere we have listed in our guide is open throughout autumn unless stated otherwise.
Accommodation has better availability at this time of year although some places can be busier during the October school holidays. You won’t struggle to find good places to stay in autumn.
It’s too cold for most people to camp but it’s a wonderful time of year for exploring in a campervan. The roads are quiet and waking up at a loch with a swirl of mist across it is incredibly special.
You’re sure to fall for Scotland when taking an autumn break. Which area are you going to choose to visit first? If you have any questions, we’d love to hear from you in the comments.
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