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Scotland is beautiful in every season, but there’s just something about Autumn in Scotland that is so spectacular.
Autumn is not only a time for beaitful autumn colours in Scotland, but it’s also a great time to explore the country, with less crowds and, if you’re lucky, some more manageable weather conditions before the winter months kick in.
If you plan to visit Scotland in autumn, the autumn in Scotland dates tend to be late September to the end of October or early November.
Most of the pictures in this article are from a trip that spanned the last week of October and first week of November. The summer weather can really change when the autumn colours kick in, but generally, mid-October would be a very safe bet if you’re planning the best places to visit in Scotland in autumn.
Without further ado, here are some of the most beautiful places in Scotland in autumn, or for our folks across the pond, here are the best places to find Scotland Fall colours!
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Autumn in Scotland locations: the best places to visit in autumn in Scotland
Edinburgh autumn colours
Edinburgh Castle
Of course no trip to Edinburgh is complete without finding all the epic views of Edinburgh Castle, perched above the city.
My favourite is from the Vennel viewpoint shown here. Or from the Princes Street Gardens.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Botanical Gardens really come into their own every season and autumn is no exception.
See the turning of the maples and the lush greens turning to crunchy orange. Most people visit during the spring and summer flowering seasons but autumn is just as special.
Calton Hill
The ever popular walk up Calton Hill in Edinburgh is no less spectacular in the autumn months too.
While there’s no specific carpet of oranges and reds here, it’s still a great view to see the colours turning in the leaves across the city which is complemented by the sandstone buildings in the city.
Holyrood Park
This popular parkland is the lower slopes of Arthur’s Seat and a popular spot for cyclings and walkers.
In the autumn the grassy slopes turn auburn which is particularly spectacular at sunset which highlights the dramatic crags.
Princes Street Gardens
I’d already mentioned these gardens before, but I love to see the view of the Castle and the Scots Monument from here. The sweeping grass lawn dotted with trees turning and dropping their leaves intoa carpet of orange.
Glasgow autumn colours
Glasgow Green
The reason the Green is so brilliant in autumn is because you have the fiery red Templeton on the Green Building and the grand People’s Palace which makes the turning autumn colours on the Green even more spectacular with that backdrop.
Glasgow Botanical Gardens
Of course the Botanic Gardens in Glasgow are another great green area in the city to see the colours turning. The best part is that they’re free to visit!
Isle of Skye autumn colours and locations
There are plenty of islands to visit around Scotland, but the Isle of Skye is the most easily accessible in the autumn months because you can drive there over the bridge.
Other islands require a ferry which are more infrequent in the autumn and winter or can be cancelled due to bad weather
The Quiraing
The Quiraing is a huge land slip that forms part of the Trotternish Ridge and it’s still moving a small amount each year.
This is a great autumn location to see the grassy slopes turn yellow and orange against the jagged rocks and also the the winding road below.
Fairy Glen
The lush green and circle markings in the ground at Fairy Glen can be seen from above if you climb to the tallest rock above the clearing.
This contrasts with the changing colours of the hills and mountains surrounding it.
Old Man of Storr
The grassy slopes here turn a vivid yellow and contrast with the dark jagged rocks protruding from the surface.
Head up here for sunrise or sunset to see the golden colours come alive even more.
Kilt Rock
This is an interesting one because there isn’t much colour change in the cliff face, however the waterfall falling into the sea looks even more dramatic in the darker, moodier weather of the autumn months.
Neist Point and the west coast
This spot is all about the sunset.
The green and yellow hills and mountains glow as you drive to this point on the west coast of Skye.
Then the Neist Point Lighthouse at sunset is of course a must-see with the sun setting beyond the towering cliff face and the lighthouse below.
Scottish Highlands in autumn
Craigievar Castle
Ah the famous pink castle!
Yes it really is pink and although many people say it’s most beautiful in the spring, it’s also pretty spectacular when the pink clashes with the orange and yellow trees surrounding it during autumn.
The Cairngorms National Park
Before the snow arrives, the Cairngorms National Park is an array of vibrant colours during autumn.
From yellow grassy slopes to autumnal villages and picturesque bridges like the two packhorse bridges below.
The Cairngorms really are a spectacular place to be during autumn in Scotland.
Stonehaven and Dunnottar Castle
A surprising addition to the list but the drive into Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire to stay overnight and see Dunnottar Castle was pretty beautiful.
The rugged castle ruins perched on a rocky island off the coast with the grass turning yellow and the waves crashing is really a spectacular and eerie sight to see.
Dunrobin Castle
You’ll have to time it right to see Dunrobin Castle in autumn.
This fairytale castle has some spectacular gardens which are a delightful contrast to the towering castle. See the colours change in early autumn here before the castle closes for the season at the end of October.
Even after the castle is closed though, you can still walk along the public footpath at the back and see the castle from the coastal path.
Eileen Donan Castle
Located a short way before Kyle of Lochalsh and the Skye Bridge to the Isle of Skye, this is a great easy addition if you’re travelling to Skye.
Surrounded by boggy land and Loch Duich, this dramatic castle has been used in a James Bond movie, making it a popular spot for visitors.
The changing colour of ferns and grasses on the surrounding hills make this s beautiful spot in the winter and even more dramatic when pictured from the road behind the castle with a higher vantage point.
Loch Cluanie Valley
This is the drive from the south end of Loch Ness towards Isle of Skye and this spectacular valley had colours to rival the Cairngorms.
With next to no phone signal, you can really get lost in the vibrant landscape, dramatic hills and craggy rocks and streams that run through this valley before you reach Loch Duich.
Definitely an underrated spot for autumn photo locations in Scotland!
Glenfinnan
Most famous for the Glenfinnan Viaduct, aka the Hogwarts Express bridge from the Harry Potter movies.
The hills around the viaduct turn a vibrant orange during the autumn which is pretty spectacular to see if you can also catch the last steam train of the season which stops running around the end of October or early November depending on the weather.
Find out how to find the Glenfinnan viewpoint here.
In the other direction from the road at the viaduct, you also have another Harry Potter filming location, Loch Shiel – this is also a great autumn spot with spectacular scenery.
Glencoe
Ahh the drive through Glencoe.
There’s a reason this route is so popular and it’s just as beautiful in the autumn, although make sure you see it before it turns too treacherous in the winter!
The mountainscapes turn a colourful golden yellow and deep orange, particularly around the Three Sisters area there are plenty of photo opportunities.
Glen Etive
If you fancy a short detour from Glencoe, Glen Etive is often considered the more dramatic, hidden gem nearby.
With an instagram famous solitary cottage on the mountain and the dramatic hills and valley, this is also a great photography location for autumn colours and maybe a dusting of snow on the peaks.
Kilchurn Castle and Loch Awe
The ruins of this castle sit on the edge of Loch Awe a short drive north from Loch Lomond.
The proximity of the mountain here which turns bright orange in autumn is beautiful to see the ruins set against.
The castle is best viewed from the viewpoint on the opposite side of the Loch.
Falls of Falloch
A great autumnal gem in Scotland which is only a short walk from the car park situated off the main road.
In the summer this is a popular wild swimming spot, but in the autumn the trees around the falls come alive with vibrant colours of shocking red, orange and yellow.
There’s a walkway viewpoint over the pool of the falls, but you can also walk down to the rocks below for a better vantage point and more autumn foliage angles.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
Of course, the famous Loch Lomond National Park is a must visit for many people who travel to Scotland.
Although the season is mostly over during the autumn and the boats have stopped running, a drive along the shore of Loch Lomond with the changing colours of the leaves is a great opportunity to see autumn colours in Scotland.
The ferns and grasses on the mountains opposure turn a deep orange brown and golden hour here is something really spectacular.
Eglinton Castle ruins
Another hidden gem in Scotland and it’s located south of Glasgow in North Ayrshire.
Eglinton Castle ruins are located in Eglinton Country Park which is a perfect option if you’re looking for autumn walks in Scotland and the castle ruins are an added bonus.
Follow the trail around the park and explore inside the ruins.
The sandstone ruins of the castle have a great backdrop with the changing colours of the trees in the distance.
Summary: autumn locations and where to see autumn colours in Scotland
Autumn is a beautiful time to explore Scotland and many of these locations are easily accessible on the popular routes around Scotland.
Hopefully you can see and capture some beautiful colours of the autumn in Scotland.
Pin this for later to plan your future trip!
