8 Scottish Secrets for Autumn

Explore the wonders of Scotland at one of the most spectacular times of year. From late September and through to November, you can enjoy fiery autumn leaves and bright blue skies.  The weather is still mild, but there is a good excuse to get cosy during the cooler evenings in your hostel. 

1. Active Autumn

If you have a taste for adventure, Ardenbeg hostel at Craggan Outdoors in the Cairngorms, is the ideal choice for you.  The tricky bit is choosing between canoeing on the River Spey, mountain biking on the tracks of the Glenbeg Estate, tackling the high ropes course, clay pigeon and too many more to mention. 

They have lots of special offers available over autumn, check out their website. 

2. Star Gazing

Aucheninver Hostel on the NW Coast, is the place to get away from it all.  They're running Dark Sky Retreats; gazing at the stars on a clear night has to be one of the most magical and memorable ways to experience Scotland.

3. Night Biking

Obviously, biking is great during the day, but have you ever experienced the thrill of biking at night?  Galloway Activity Centre are running a night time mountain bike ride around the Galloway Forest Park, in the South of Scotland.  To get to the start of the ride, you and your bike will experience an exciting power boat trip across Loch Ken in the dark before disembarking and starting the route. Find out more...

4. Glory at Glencoe

Mother nature at its best; enjoy the autumnal Highland colours in Glencoe, in Lochaber Geopark in the Highlands. It is the perfect base for exploring the area of Lochaber, known as the Outdoor Capital of the UK.  Cosy indoors, great outdoors; stay at Glencoe Independent Hostel. 

5. Wild Swimming

A bunkhouse with a beach? John's Bunkhouse in the Western Isles is situated right beside a beautiful tidal beach which is popular for swimming and kite surfing all year round.  They're in a great position to explore North Uist and its environs and for day trips to Harris, South Uist and Barra.

6 Wildlife

There are miles of stunning coastline with amazing wildlife to explore on Mull. It's just a short hop on the ferry from Oban. Keep an eye out for red deer, otters, seals, eagles, basking sharks and many more species. Stay at the eco-hostel, Craignure Bunkhouse 

7 Sanctuary on Sanday 

Possibly the perfect place to relax? Head north to Ayre's Rock Hostel on the Orkney Island of Sanday. Explore the sand dunes and unspoilt beaches of this tranquil island.  It's a mecca for wildlife enthusiasts (lots of seal pups in autumn) and has an impressive archaeological heritage. 

8 The Colours of Comrie

Perthshire is world renowned for the wonderful colours of autumn. It's large expanses of tranquil woodland and some of the country’s oldest and tallest trees, ‘Big Tree Country’ is a great place for an autumn forest walk.  Stay in Comrie Croft and you'll also get a big and colourful welcome - it's a hostel by night and outdoor adventure hub by day (with Tea Garden and Farm Shop).  

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