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).  

Find your perfect hostel in Scotland - use our hostel map. 

Hello Autumn (Part 3) | Top Tips for Scotland’s most Vibrant Season

Ballater Hostel, Cairngorms National Park

A great spot in the centre of Ballater, near Balmoral, on the east side of the spectacular Cairngorms National Park.

• Fantastic range of activities available throughout the National Park, all with the backdrop of the most colourful scenery.
• Sample one of Scotland’s most exclusive whiskies at the nearby Royal Lochnagar Distillery 
• Hire the whole hostel for groups or family gatherings - available for New Year!

Craignure Bunkhouse, Isle of Mull, Inner Hebrides

Explore miles of stunning coastline with amazing wildlife, the autumn colours are spectacular! 

• Tobermory is a great place to stop and stock up on local produce. 
• Venture out and discover the tiny, enchanting Isle of Iona. 
• Availability for group/room bookings over Christmas and New Year

Isle of Muck Hostel, Inner Hebrides

A great place from which to explore the wonderful island of Muck, which is part of the Small Isles, on the west coast of Scotland. Warm and comfortable accommodation awaits whatever the weather!

• Perfect for walkers and wildlife enthusiasts.  Visit seal colony, white sandy beaches and take a walk up to the highest point on the island, Beinn Airein.
• Panoramic sea views at every turn making for a memorable holiday. 
• Winter special: mid Oct-mid March £350/week excluding New Year week.

Comrie Croft, Southern Highlands

Comrie Croft is awash with outdoor adventure opportunities over the autumn and winter. 

• Test out the biking trails, hiking trails and bushcraft skills
• If the weather has you heading for shelter, the Famous Grouse and Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre are nearby. 
• Comrie Croft Events: Wee Nosy Wedding Fair on 16th Nov 12 - 3pm. Winter/Christmas Market on 17th Nov 2 - 5pm

Easter and April Special Offers

Spring is just around the corner so why not take advantage of some great accommodation offers from some of our Hostels? 

 

Coll Bunkhouse

Due to a late cancellation, Coll Bunkhouse has full availability over the Easter weekend and is offering a special group rate for a 3 night booking for Saturday 4th, Sunday 5th and Monday 6th April.  A discount of 20% applies for the 3 day booking, with the whole hostel available for less than £270 per night.  An added bonus is that the Isle of Coll Easter Concert takes place on Saturday 4th April at the community centre next door – a feast of family entertainment!  Please quote Scottish Independent Hostels when booking to claim your 20% discount. Visit the website at www.collbunkhouse.co.uk or email info@collbunkhouse.co.uk

 

Abernethy Bunkhouses, Cairngorms

Abernethy Bunkhouses at Nethybridge in the Cairngorms National Park is offering 20% off mid weeks stays for groups in April. Quote ‘SIH’ with your enquiry.  Visit the website at www.nethy.org or email info@nethy.org

Glebe Barn, Isle of Eigg

Cited as one of the Scottish Herald's Top Ten Scottish Islands to visit this spring and with up to 25% discount in April for individual or group bookings, why not spend your time on Eigg at the Glebe Barn Hostel. 

Visit the website www.glebebarn.co.uk or contact mccarthys@glebebarn.co.uk for further information quoting "SIH" with your enquiry

Comrie Croft, Perthshire 

Comrie Croft have decided to give families a break this year - so children accompanied by a parent of guardian (under 18's, minimum 6 children) are free in April.  And, actually children are free all the rest of the year too! Visit the website at www.comriecroft.com or email info@comriecroft.com 

Fraoch Lodge, Cairngorms

Fraoch Lodge are offering a free Easter egg hunt for any family of 4 or more who book into Fraoch Lodge over the Easter weekend. Prices for adults and children aged 12 or over: £21 per person per night, children under 12 - £10.50 each per night for a minimum 2-night booking.

Find out more from Rebecca at Scot Mountain Holidays at Fraoch Lodge

www.scotmountainholidays.com

 

 

Get Outdoors this Autumn

Autumn is a great time to get outdoors in Scotland, whatever your level of fitness and personal interest.  Low-lying mists and the smell of fallen leaves add to the autumnal atmosphere, whilst wild geese flying overhead herald the changing season.

Walking and Climbing

Crisp trails, dazzling colours and cosy bothies; walking in the Scottish countryside in autumn is a beautiful experience. Grab your boots and head for the hills! Our Independent Hostels not only offer comfortable and affordable accommodation but also a great choice of outdoor experiences to enjoy in autumn.

If you’re looking for adventure, then you can’t go wrong with a bit of “Munro-bagging”.  The Munros are the Scottish mountains over 3000 feet high and there are 283 in total throughout Scotland. Or you could head for one of our many long-distance routes; the West Highland Way is one of the most famous, but there are many others across the country. Try out our newest long distance paths; The John Muir Way which stretches from coast to coast across the central belt and the Ring's of Breadalbane walks in the ancient and undiscovered heart of Scotland. You will find our member Hostels dotted along these iconic trails, happy to provide a warm welcome and excellent local information.

SIH tips:

Cullen Harbour Hostel on the Moray Firth Coast recommends a challenging 6 harbour walk and the lovely stroll from Cullen to Findlater Castle along the coast.

Comrie Croft Hostel in the Highlands recommends The Clan Ring (part of the Ring’s of Breadalbane),  a 6 day circular walk. It goes right past their door and takes in some of the Southern Highlands very best scenery and history.

Fraoch Lodge runs mountain navigation weekends where you can learn all the skills for the hills!

Forest Trails for cycling and mountain biking

Many of our hostels hire out bikes or can recommend someone nearby; it’s a great way to see some of the remoter parts of Scotland as well as navigate the city streets. For the more adventurous cyclist, Scotland has more than 1150 miles of off-road routes marked by The Forestry Commission. From tracks suitable for adrenalin junkies to leisurely trails perfect for the whole family; there are a fantastic range of trails to suit all levels, complete with stunning scenery.

SIH Tips:

Galloway Activity Centre is situated right in the middle of 5 out of the 7 Stanes venues.  With a large boat shed providing secure storage on site, drying room, washing facilities and bike stands. Marthrown of Mabie Hostel is also located on the 7 Stanes Mountain Bike Trails, right in the centre of Mabie Forest.

Comrie Croft Mountain Bike Trails Centre is getting rave reviews, promising hostellers the very best of Scotland's mountain biking scene on their doorstep.

Portree Independent Hostel is an ideal centre when touring the Isle of Skye. If arriving on your own bike, store it on the hostel courtyard. Or you can hire a bike right next door.

Gulabin Lodge Outdoor Centre offers a wide range of outdoor activities in the autumn in Glenshee in Perthshire including a full range of mountain biking services.

Wildlife Watching

Wildlife is pretty active year round in Scotland, but autumn is a great time of year to spot iconic creatures such as red kites, red deer and red squirrels.  The vast wilderness of the Highlands means that you can see creatures living in their natural habitat without disturbing them too much.  The red deer become easier to spot in the autumn as they move to the lower ground for the colder months.  

 

SIH Tips:

Fraoch Lodge runs wildlife tours in the Cairngorms National Park, which is home to a quarter of the UK’s rarest species.

Watersports

Scotland is a popular playground for sailors and watersports enthusiasts with rivers, lochs, canals and 10,000km of beautiful coastline. From sailing and canoeing to white water rafting and canyoning, Scotland is the place to unleash your adventurous side. 

SIH Tips:

Lochaline Dive Centre has access to the clear waters of the Sound, which boasts some of Britain’s best-known wreck dives, in addition to an abundance of drift, shallow, scenic, and shore dive sites.

Uist Outdoor Centre near Lochmaddy offers instruction in kayaking on an idyllic Hebridean sea loch, surely the only way to learn!

Astronomical Adventures

We couldn’t finish without mentioning the dark skies experience.  It’s the perfect activity in some of the clearest night skies anywhere in Europe, just pop outside and stair upwards, you’ll be amazed at what you’ll see. 

 

SIH Tips:

Coll and the Cosmos: A stargazing break on the Isle of Coll which makes the most of the island’s incredible dark skies, using state of the art astronomical technology. The break has been specifically designed to appeal to as wide an audience as possible. Stay in the cosy Coll Bunkhouse.

Experience Dark Skies in the Galloway Forest Park. Stay at SIH’s Galloway Activity Centre.

Get out and enjoy those autumn colours before we start talking about the white fluffy stuff and the great winter sports Scotland has to offer!