SCOTLAND IN OCTOBER – HERE’S WHAT TO SEE AND DO

There are fewer landscapes as beautiful and awe-inspiring as Scotland in October. Whether you’re interested in city, culture, Highland hikes or visiting Scotland’s historic castles fall is a great time to beat the crowds. Vibrant autumnal leaves decorate the parks, gardens and mountain trails, and you’ll have the promise of cool and dry weather at this time of year. With slightly less rainfall than September, and golden hues everywhere you turn, your Scottish vacation is guaranteed to be picture perfect.

Here are some of the best things to see and do whilst you’re here.

With the summer rush over, city tours are fantastic at this time of year. The mild fall climate makes it wonderful for strolling around, with an average temperature of 10°C (50°F). You’ll need to wrap up if you’re out all day, but in cities like Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen, there’s no shortage of cozy pubs to warm up in after.

If you’re looking for a fun, unique and utterly thrilling experience, the witch and ghost tours in Edinburgh are not to be missed. Many of the guided tours are suitable for kids too, so you won’t have to worry about little legs.

What better way to warm up on a cold day than with a glass of whisky? If you’re staying near the capital, the most famous whisky attraction is The Scotch Whisky Experience. There are different tours to choose from, including one that serves up a seasonal Scottish tasting menu in the award-winning Amber Restaurant – ideal for travelers who love their food as much as their drink.

Other top distilleries worth visiting in Scotland are Talisker on the Isle of Skye, Edradour in Pitlochry (less than an hour from Kinross House), Highland Park in Orkney, Lindores Abbey in Fife, and Glenmorangie set on the banks of Moray Firth.

Scottish gastronomy is a celebration of land and sea. You can expect menus to be fresh and seasonal, always making the most of locally sourced produce. If refined dishes and artistic plates excite you, the capital is the place to be. It’s home to four Michelin Star restaurants (Number One, The Kitchin, Edinburgh 21212, and Restaurant Martin Wishart), and is also one of the best places to taste some of Scotland’s traditional delicacies (such as haggis or Cullen skink).

Food festivals taking place in October include the Scottish Vegan Festival in the capital, the Taste of Shetland Festival, and Kirkcudbright Food Festival.

Fall in Scotland is spectacular, and you don’t even have to go far out of the cities to catch sight of the golden leaves. Holyrood Park, The Meadows, and the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh are perfect for a family day out. As are Pollok Country Park and Linn Park in Glasgow, or Cruickshank Botanic Garden in Aberdeen.

For the best nature hikes, head out to Drummond Hill Forest, The Hermitage Forest in Dunkeld, The Trossachs National Park, or the amazing Loch Lomond.