Explore Scotland in Autumn

Please call our Central Reservations Team, who can help tailor your plans on +44 1408 623800.

As the summer tourist season draws to a close, take the time to visit Scotland in autumn to gain authentic Highland experiences away from the hustle and bustle. The true magic of the Highlands is that each season offers a beautiful new experience, so while the weather may be brisker, autumn in Scotland welcomes a quieter yet more vibrant landscape to explore.

Discover some of the best places in the Highlands in autumn, travel along our coastal route, take in the sights and gain a new appreciation for the cooler seasons.

Assynt

There is no better time of year to visit Assynt than in autumn. Located in the heart of the Northwest Geopark, our Kylesku Hotel and Newton Lodge are settled among the ancient mountains and landscape. As the leaves fade from vibrant green to earthly shades of golden orange and red, the landscape is transformed into an autumnal haven and the sunsets are truly magical.

Local wildlife thrives during this time and the sound of geese echoes off the mountain tops, as they flock south to avoid the Norwegian climate and back on land you can enjoy deer rutting season along with the usual wildlife, including Highlands cows.

So, while you may think that you’ll spend a lot of time indoors during an autumn trip, it’s actually the perfect season to enjoy the great outdoors in Assynt with plenty of walks, mountains and beaches full of natural beauty to discover.

Plockton

Plockton is a great place to visit in Scotland during autumn. A coastal village with a thriving community spirit, the quieter autumnal season offers you the opportunity to really connect with the locals and gain an authentic Highland experience away from lots of other tourists.

This charming village has a variety of small independent shops, boutiques, art galleries, gift shops, bars and restaurants to enjoy including our very own seafood restaurant at the Plockton Inn . Our food and drink are primarily supplied through local partners with our daily specials changing to reflect what’s in season - so expect plenty of apples, pears, plumbs, lamb and oysters in October!

Asides from exploring the local village, local landmarks such as Eilean Donan Castle are still open till the end of October and there are plenty of other destinations to visit including the legendary Isle of Skye or Applecross, a must visit NC500 destination.

Tongue

When staying at our Tongue Hotel in autumn, you can enjoy plenty of local activities and nearby attractions. Brave the brisk winds to be rewarded with stunning views at the local beaches or coastal paths or venture up Ben Hope to see the viewpoint transformed by the vibrant autumnal colours.

There’s also plenty of destinations to visit including Castle Varich, Smoo Caves, Moine House and The Flows, as well as indoor activities for those slightly cooler days, including Strathnaver Museum where you can learn more about the people and history of the local area

Brora

Brora remains a charming coastal escape, even in the cooler autumnal months. The great outdoors is still there to be explored and you can enjoy a variety of walks and hikes including an invigorating coastal route along the golden Brora shoreline towards Golspie, an inland adventure from River Brora to Loch Brora teeming with local wildlife or even a hike up Ben Bhraggie.

All of your adventures will be rewarded with a warm meal and cosy dram, glass of wine or cocktail at our bar and restaurant in the evening. Our seasonally changing menu showcases the best in local produce so expect lots of oysters, loch trout, Highland lamb and charcuterie boards – as well as lots of veggie options.

For those who want to experience more of the local drink industry, autumn in Scotland is the perfect time and place to visit an abundance of traditional whisky distilleries. Nearby Brora you can visit Clynelish Distillery, Glenmorangie Distillery, Old Pulteney Distillery and more.

Dornoch

Dornoch is another great location in Scotland to visit in autumn. Famed for its Royal Dornoch Golf Club which is open all year round for you to enjoy a mere 50 yards away from our hotel. Sheltered by the Dornoch Firth, the coastal village enjoys unseasonably warmer weather compared to other Highland destinations, as it avoids the harshest of the northerly winds. Meaning you can still enjoy a round or two of golf on the legendary links.

Otherwise, there are still plenty of other activities to enjoy in Dornoch in autumn. Similarly to Brora, you can visit a number of traditional whisky distilleries including Balblair Distillery and Dalmore Distillery before returning to our bar to enjoy an extra dram or two from our whisky wall, which is stocked with some of the best whiskies in the Highlands.

You can also visit numerous iconic destinations along the NC500 and beyond including Dunrobin Castle, Castle and Gardens of Mey, Caithness and even a day trip to Loch Ness.

With all of these places to visit in Scotland in autumn, it is the perfect time to book your trip. Get away from the tourists and enjoy authentic Highland experiences without the crowds and stay at any of our independently curated hotels along the Highland coastline. Book your trip to Scotland in Autumn now!