Visiting Scotland In Autumn: 5 Places To Discover
With its clans, haunted castles, and the famous Loch Ness, Scotland is a destination surrounded by legends. Autumn is a prime season to discover this land of magnificent landscapes. We have selected 5 places to visit to experience the magic of autumn in Scotland.
1- Hiking in the Trossachs National Park
Land of lakes or lochs (pronounced: "lors"), Scotland has nearly 30,000 on its territory! While Loch Ness and its famous monster are well-known, other sites are worth a visit, such as Loch Lomond.
This loch, which is the largest in Great Britain, is nestled in a setting of hills and forests, in the heart of the Trossachs National Park. This park, located less than 100 km from Glasgow and Edinburgh, is a paradise for hikers and anglers. It is also a must-visit spot for anyone wanting to explore Scotland in autumn.
2- Walking in the Deuchny Woods
Perthshire (a region located north of Edinburgh and Glasgow) is a wonderful place to admire Scotland in autumn, with sites like Loch Faskally and the Hermitage.
But the true hidden gem of this region is the Deuchny Woods. Whether alone or with your dog, you can enjoy a superb walk following a 5.5 km loop. This accessible walk can be completed in less than two hours.
This loop starts with an ascent, but your efforts will be rewarded with incredible views of Kinfauns and the River Tay. Following this route, you will fully enjoy the autumn colors, between the bright yellow gorse and the red hues of the hawkweed.
3- Visit the village of Craigellachie
To enjoy the spectacle of Scotland in autumn, you can also visit the village of Craigellachie. This village in Moray, located at the meeting point of the rivers Spey and Fiddich, is known for its bridge and distilleries but also for its magnificent landscapes.
The village lies at the foot of Ben Aigan and offers access to an eight-kilometer hike. This moderately difficult route takes about 2 to 3 hours starting from the parking lot. From the summit of Ben Aigan, you will enjoy a beautiful panorama of the Moray coast.
The Speyside Way, one of Scotland's long-distance routes, skirts the village. It is the ideal option for itinerant hikers and cyclists.
4- Exploring the Clyde Falls Nature Reserve
Located an hour from Edinburgh and Glasgow, the Clyde Falls Nature Reserve is known for its spectacular waterfalls. In autumn, it offers a fantastic playground for picturesque woodland walks.
This reserve, which also hosts the New Lanark site listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts remarkable biodiversity. More than 100 bird species have been recorded there.
To discover its treasures, you can complete the full loop or just one of its sections. This visit, dotted with waterfalls, a visitor center, and historical sites to explore, will undoubtedly be a memorable highlight of your autumn stay in Scotland.
5- Visit Loch Ness for Halloween
If you plan to visit Scotland in the fall and celebrate Halloween there, it's of course Loch Ness that you should go to! The Loch Ness Monster was first mentioned in the 6th century, but the interest it arouses among tourists is much more recent.
The first tourist route was built on the north shore of the lake in 1933. Since then, more and more tourists have attempted to catch a glimpse of "Nessie" during their stay in the country. This legend even intrigues the scientific community, and an expert named Adrian Shine has been studying the issue very seriously since 1973.
To try to solve this mystery, you will need to go to the Highlands, southwest of the city of Inverness. Whether one believes in it or not, Nessie is a wonderful mascot for its region and an excellent excuse to discover this destination!
