tFor any visitor to the Highlands this autumn, unique experiences await to be discovered in all their glory, from delicious seasonal produce to awe-inspiring wildlife. So whether you’re seeking cultural exploration or thrilling adventure, here are our not-to-be-missed experiences …
Nature and wildlife
Think of the Highlands in autumn and invariably you’ll picture nature and wildlife: the imposing hills ablaze with the orange and yellows of the season, with red squirrels among the trees and the sound of rutting red deers booming across the land. The surprising thing is that the reality is often more awe-inspiring than the imagination.
You can get a taste of this wild beauty with an overnight stay in Mingary Castle, which sits high on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Sound of Mull. In autumn, you can expect to be wowed by luxurious rooms, but it’s the stunning landscape and local wildlife, from golden eagles to red deer and dolphins, that make it a truly unique experience.
As the largest expanse of Arctic-Alpine habitat in the UK, birdwatchers have long treasured the Cairngorm national park. Autumn is the perfect time to visit to catch a glimpse of crested tits, snow buntings, dotterels and ptarmigans as they undergo their seasonal transformation from mostly brown plumage to all white.
Festivals
While the summer months may be prime festival season, autumn in the Highlands offers the opportunity to discover some more intimate events that offer an authentic version of Highland life. Whisky has always been a big part of the culture, and you can get a taste of the uisge beatha – which translates loosely to “water of life” – at the Dornoch whisky festival, the Highlands’ finest whisky-centric knees-up, from 27-29 October. Taking place over three days in the historic village of Dornoch, the highlight is the Grand Tasting. Nestled in a sheltered area of the east coast, boasting miles of golden sand beaches, it’s the perfect spot for walking off any hangover.
If whisky isn’t your thing, there are Halloween events in Inverness to give you a tingle – a “Night at the BOOtanics” offers up a trick or treat trail at the city’s Botanic Gardens. Another option is to visit Moray Speyside in November and take in Brodie Illuminated, which puts a spotlight on the plants, trees and shrubbery of the Brodie Castle estate. A light show colours the walls of the 16th-century castle, and you can explore the illuminated woodland pathways.
History
The Highlands are dotted with historical sites dating back millennia, many of which are unique to their local area. Scottish brochs are one such artefact. Not only the tallest prehistoric structures in the British Isles but arguably also the most enigmatic. Some of these massive, drystone towers reached 13 metres in height and Caithness has more broch sites than anywhere else in Scotland, so you can get a real feel for the people who once populated the area.
If you have an interest in prehistory, then continue your odyssey by checking out the ancient burial chambers of Clava Cairns near Inverness. This bronze age cemetery complex is found in a beautiful setting, so the appeal transcends historical inquiry.
For a sobering reminder of the bloodied past of Britain, Culloden Battlefield offers you the chance to learn about the last and most harrowing pitched battle to be fought on UK soil, as Jacobite and government troops fought to the death on 16 April 1746.
Outdoor adventure
For those with an adventurous spirit, the Highlands are a veritable playground. Whether hiking in the hills, climbing the Munros of the “Outdoor Capital of the UK”, Lochaber, or mountain biking through the forests and glens of the Cairngorms national park, autumn is the perfect season for active pursuits.
Theres no finer way to experience the Highlands than running the “breathtakingly beautiful” Baxters Loch Ness Marathon. If a full marathon is a push, there are also more manageable 5k and 10k runs, spurred on by the stunning autumn scenery.
More stunning views can be found along the Highland section of the John o’Groats trail, starting out at Inverness and taking in 147 miles of shorelines, clifftops, back lanes and footpaths. The views are breathtaking and the experience unforgettable.
For mountain biking enthusiasts, don’t miss the Laggan Wolftrax in Badenoch – it has 20 miles of trails, suitable for all levels, from an easy-going green trail through to a technical black run. You can also take part in non-bike-related activities, with a walk to a hill fort, or one through the forest looking for red squirrels.
Food and drink
Autumn is the best time to enjoy the Highlands’ delicious seafood. Follow the Argyll Seafood Trail and enjoy langoustines, lobsters and mussels straight from the sea in Oban. Tuck into juicy scallops at the Kishorn Seafood Bar in Wester Ross, and if you fancy branching away from seafood, enjoy hearty venison burgers at the lovely Sutor Creek cafe in Cromarty.
Come autumn, there are few better ways to explore the Cairngorms national park than an expert-led foraging expedition. Rich pickings of the season include chanterelles (one of the most delicious mushrooms in the world), blaeberries, brambles, rosehips and sloes.
Of course, no foodie’s trip to the Highlands will be complete without tasting the finest porridge in the world – officially designated at the World Porridge Making Championships. The winner of the Golden Spurtle will be judged live in the picturesque village of Carrbridge, below the Monadhliath mountains, on Saturday 7 October.
When it comes to taste, the whisky of Scotland is appreciated worldwide and you’re not short of options to try it at source in the Highlands. Test yourself and see if you can detect the sea in the single malts of coastal distillery Old Pulteney in Wick, Caithness. They’ve been making whisky here since 1826 – you’ll get to discover the processes and try a few drams on a guided tour.
There’s also a burgeoning gin scene in Scotland. Nestled in the Cairngorms national park is the Strathmashie Distillery, in the grounds of a Victorian shooting lodge. Its Daffy’s gin, with a memorable label of the Goddess of Gin, takes the affectionate name for the spirit in the 1800s and is “slow-cook” distilled. There’s even a gin school, where you can forage for botanicals and make your own version.
Culture
Nothing offers a greater insight into the culture of the Highlands than a traditional ceilidh, from the community halls of Glenuig to Knoydart, where Gaelic culture, folk music and ceilidh dancing combine to enliven the spirits. From concerts to impromptu get-togethers in cosy local pubs, you’ll have no trouble finding music this autumn.
The Badenoch Storylands Sessions are also not to be missed. This series of music and storytelling events offers a celebration of Highland culture and community, both traditional and contemporary.
Autumn is the perfect season to discover the unique Spirit of Scotland’s Highlands and islands. Start planning your trip at discoverhighlandsandislands.scot
