Cosy Up to Autumn

As temperatures drop in harmony with the leaves, it is time to revel in the fleeting season of autumn, the arrival of which brings the perfect time to slow down and bask in a variety of comforting and cosy experiences across Scotland.

Choose to walk through wilderness and admire the changing hues of foliage, and on rainy days, colsie in* and get immersed in history and heritage through an abundance of stories and folklore, best enjoyed by fireside. Or alternatively, opt to explore and indulge in seasonal delicacies and sustainably sourced produce: tuck into a bowl of creamy Cullen skink or a veg-packed broth, swiftly followed by the fiery warmth of a locally distilled dram of whisky or gin. 

With a variety of autumn activities across the country to venture to, whether faced with a misty morning and showers, or a crisp afternoon in the low hanging sun, visitors can be inspired to embrace the season with Scotland’s range of themed activities.

Celebrate the jewel in Autumn’s culinary crown and find a pumpkin (or turnip) at a range of dedicated pumpkin patches across the country.  Alternatively, turn to the forest floor as Scotland is home to more than 12,000 species of fungi, with the best time to forage for wild mushrooms being up until late October, but be sure to be careful with what’s picked.  Leave the forest and opt to wind down by the coast instead and take part in a sustainable, hands-on workshop to forage and discover the properties of seaweed for use in everyday life. https://www.kilduff.co.uk/“>Pumpkin, turnip and dahlia picking at Kilduff Farm, East Lothian near Edinburgh

Head to Kilduff Farm to pick a pumpkin from their patch ahead of spooky season and for the first-time visitors will be able to handpick a selection of seasonal dahlias to make a beautifully assorted bouquet to enjoy at home. Families will be able to relish in a host of fun and games on the patch as well as scrumptious seasonal food from local producers and the opportunity to buy produce from Kilduff’s very own kitchen larder.  With ample photo opportunities and a bale maze, it is sure to be a wonderful day out.  please see www.kilduff.co.uk  for more information and booking.

 https://www.ardkinglas.com/whats-on-at-ardkinglas.html”>Chutney’s pickles and preserves workshop, Argyll 

Take part in a chutney, pickle and preserves cookery workshop in the beautiful setting of Ardkinglas House. Learn the basics, making the likes of fiery Korean kimchi to fresh pickle and fruity chutney, perfect to accompany some local cheese on an autumn evening. Please see www.ardkinglas.com for more information and booking.  

East Neuk Seaweed offer various hands-on workshops in coastal locations across Fife which highlight the healing properties and nutritional value of this sea vegetable. Respectfully, safely and sustainably identify, forage and store small harvests for use in daily life and learn how to cook with wild and shop bought seaweeds for health and wellbeing. Please see  www.eastneukseaweed.com for more information and booking.  

29th September – 30th October

The Enchanted Forest is Scotland’s largest autumn event, held annually throughout the month of October in Faskally Woods part of the Tay Forest Park, near Pitlochry. The trees and water around Loch Dunmore, a beautiful small lochan, are set with lights, art and sounds. Visitors are taken to the forest by a shuttle of coaches, that depart from the centre of Pitlochry. Each year the Enchanted Forest of lights sometimes referred to as the magic forest, attracts in the region of 80,000 people of all ages, to walk around this beautifully lit forest. For more information and tickets, please see www.enchantedforest.org.uk for more information and booking. 

21st - 25th September 

A festival celebrating the world of folklore and set in the mythical landscape of Upper Nithsdale.  Crawick Multiverse is hosting three events on Saturday 28th September.  With clear skies predicted, and a new moon, it should be a great for stargazing, a sneak peak of events listed below:

• 5.30 pm - History of the Multiverse – guided walk by Robert Clements
• 7.00 pm - Folklore of the Autumn Equinox – presented by [Mostly Ghostly](https://www.visitsouthwestscotland.com/attractions/mostly-ghostly-tours/)
• 7.45 pm - Crawick Campfire Tales – presented by Bartholomew Hardthorn and Mostly Ghostly

26th October – 6th November

Early bird tickets are now on sale for GlasGLOW, created and produced by Itison, alongside a team of world-class creative sound, light and set designers, GlasGLOW is an immersive outdoor experience, with this year’s theme set to take guests on an exhilarating 60-minute outdoor route through Glasgow’s Botanical Gardens, where jeopardy lies around every corner, dinosaurs come to life, dormant volcanos threaten to erupt and only the brave will make it out, without being eaten alive.

Jam-packed with photo opportunities, exciting displays, interactive installations, a street food village, GLOW bar and the return of Marshmallowland, please see www.glasglow.com for more information and booking.  

18th – 25th September 

With over 20 events, The Badenoch Heritage Festival celebrates Badenoch’s unique connections to landscape, highland community and the deep roots of storytelling. The festival has a number of activities on including walks, e-bike adventures and archaeological digs– as well as a concert with music from local musicians and schoolchildren. 

Please see www.badenochstorylands.com for more information and booking. 

15th– 18th September

Kicking-off with a torchlit procession, the leading Scottish International Crime Writing Festival returns in person and online, with events from authors: Sir Ian Rankin, Ann Cleeves, Saima Mir, Dean Koontz, Donna Leon, Irvine Welsh, Mick Herron, Helen Fields, Denise Mina, Peter May, Lisa Unger, Anthony Horowitz, Ambrose Parry and many more. 

Priding themselves as the literary festival where attendees can let down their hair and enjoy a drink at the bar with their favourite crime writer, this festival strives to entertain and inform with talks covering a range of criminal subjects from fictional forensics, psychological thrillers, tartan noir, cosy crime and beyond.

Please see www.bloodyscotland.com for more information and booking. 

23rd September – 2nd October

Wigtown Book Festival has unveiled a vibrant programme of more than 200 events for its annual 10-day annual celebration of all things literary in Scotland’s National Book Town.This year’s festival is supported by EventScotland as part of Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022, as ever there will be a superb line up with writers of fiction, non-fiction authors and poetry. They include household names, scientists, journalists and others, all sharing insights about their books, inspirations, careers and lives. Among them will be:

• Deacon Blue frontman Ricky Ross (Walking Back Home)
• Karen Campbell (Paper Cup)
• Robert Harris (Act of Oblivion)
• Hanna Jackson, The Red Shepherdess (Call Me Red)
• Chris Brookmyre (The Cliff House)
• Gerda Stevenson (Letting Go)
• Outlander star Graham McTavish (Clanlands)
• Lisa Jewell & Will Brooker (The Truth About Lisa Jewell)
• Andrew Cotter: Dog Days (A Year with Olive and Mabel)
• Chitra Ramaswamy (Homelands)
• Jeremy Bowen (The Making of the Modern Middle East)

23rd September – 2nd October

The fourth Findhorn Bay Festival will present a spectacular ten-day journey of exploration and discovery for Scotland’s Year of Stories offering glimpses into the past and hopes for the future, and experiences of nature, culture and adventure. Communities in Moray and beyond will have a unique chance to celebrate and appreciate Scotland’s stories, heritage, landscape, and people. Set in unexpected spaces and scenic locations, and marking the 10th anniversary of Findhorn Bay Arts, the award-winning producer behind the festival, the programme boasts an eclectic, vibrant and wide-ranging mix of outstanding Scottish art, theatre and performance, storytelling and live music, alongside family-friendly events and a whole host of open and accessible creative activities. Please see www.findhornbayfestival.com for more information and booking.  

The Royal National Mòd will showcase and celebrate the very best in Gaelic music and culture when it comes to Perth for the first time in 18 years this October. Audiences can expect a vibrant programme of fringe concerts, shows, ceilidhs and exhibitions across the city. 

Please see www.ancomunn.co.uk  for more information and booking.  

23rd – 30th October

The programme has been announced for the first ever Festival Of Darkness, a new film festival set to celebrate Dracula and creator Bram Stoker’s links to the north east of Scotland.

Marking the 125th anniversary of the publication of Bram Stoker’s gothic classic and 100 years since the Count’s big screen debut in Nosferatu, the festival will screen a range of vampire movies at unique locations around Aberdeenshire, some of which are not usually open to the public and have never been used as cinemas before. Please see www.neatshows.co.uk/festivalofdarkness/ for more information and booking. 

Tree nuts, seeds and berries are ripening and with the shorter days and cooler temperatures wildlife activity is avid and makes for great wildlife watching antics, with plenty of activities to see and do to heighten the experience. Top wildlife spots and activities include: 

The Galloway Forest Park is Britain’s largest forest park, often referred to as the ‘Highlands of the Lowlands’. The park is home to dramatic ancient woodland, magnificent scenery, and a huge range of local wildlife.  Whether walking, cycling, or fishing, the Galloway Forest Park has something for everyone.

Explore Highland glens for golden eagles, red deer and mountain hares. Visit the Caledonian Forest, cloaked in autumn gold, home to crested tits and pine martens and get up close with leaping salmon and red squirrels. Running regular retreats, it’s a fantastic place to learn about the benefits of rewilding, observe wildlife, and connect with nature this autumn. Please see www.scotlandbigpicture.com for more information and to book. 

 https://www.glendyecabinsandcottages.com/school-of-wild-wellness-and-bushcraft”>Glen Dye School of Wild Wellness and Bushcraft, Aberdeenshire

Glen Dye is a private estate with various holiday cabins and cottages surrounded by wild forestry on the banks of River Dye.  While staying in the stunning accommodation visit their School of Wild Wellness and Bushcraft which offers foraging, wild swimming, whittling, and adventure workshops in the great outdoors.

Looking to add some adrenaline to the wildlife watching experience? Wildlife Discovery offer the UK’s first wildlife safari on mountain e-bikes with guests being guided through the impressive Cairngorms National Park in search of the best of Scottish wildlife while reducing their carbon footprint.

• Si! Spa at The Gailes Hotel, Ayrshire  

Available from 1st September until 30th November 2022. Please see www.gaileshotel.com/si-spa for more information and booking. 

• Luxury ‘Taste of Scotland’ food trail, Edinburgh 

Guided by their own private chauffeur, overnight guests of Prestonfield House and The Witchery by the Castle will offer the chance to enjoy a truly authentic taste of the coast and countryside within a two-hour drive time of Edinburgh city centre, including visits to Belhaven Lobster at Dunbar harbour, foraging with Buck & Birch in the East Lothian countryside, a quad bike or tractor tour at Old Leckie Farm near Stirling, as well as tour of the world’s first Michelin-starred  distillery, The Glenturret Distillery in Perthshire, with the opportunity to enjoy afternoon tea at the distillery’s Lalique Restaurant. Please see www.sleigh.co.uk/taste-of-scotland-food-trail for more information and booking. 

• Gleneagles x The Macallan, Auchterarder, Perthshire

• Dreamcatcher Cabins, Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park 

Discover a magical getaway in the tiny log  https://dreamcatcherscabins.co.uk/“>Dreamcatcher Cabins hidden in the private secluded woodlands of Loch Lomond National Park. Delightfully rustic and sustainably minded, each cabin is designed to keep guests’ carbon footprint to a minimum – electrical sockets are not provided but mobile reception is available. Relax on the terrace beneath the glow of solar-powered fairy lights as the wood burning stove crackles away, soak in the outdoor bathtub surrounded by candles and fall asleep to the sounds of the forest in the snug but beautifully furnished en suite bedroom.

Priced from £197 per night for two people, August – November 2022.  Please see  www.dreamcatcherscabins.co.uk for more information and to book. 

• Loch Ken Eco Bothies, Dumfries & Galloway

Four Bothies, each with their own unique setting and style. Whether looking for a romantic getaway for two or a home away from home for the whole family, there is an Eco Bothy to suit- dog friendly, too. Situated in the heart of the Galloway and Southern Ayrshire UNESCO Biosphere, Loch Ken Eco Bothies are beautifully equipped and furnished. Each with its own log burning hot tub and dedicated kayak, dwellers will have everything they need for a luxurious wilderness retreat. 

Priced from £560 per unit per week, a two-person cabin for seven nights, August – November 2022.  Please see  www.lochkenecobothies.co.uk  for more information and to book. 

ENDS

• *Colsie (kol-zee), origin: Old Scots for ‘cosy’

• VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its purpose is deliver a strategic and coordinated approach to supporting the rebuilding of the visitor economy to ensure tourism thrives.
• Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, spending by tourists in Scotland generated around £11 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributed around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices).   
• VisitScotland is a leader in responsible tourism, making Scotland a better place for people to live and visit. We are proud signatories of the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency.  

• All covid rules and restrictions have been lifted in Scotland. The wearing of face coverings is still advised by the Scottish Government in indoor settings and on public transport however this is now at individual’s discretion. For further details, please visit [https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/](https://www.gov.scot/coronavirus-covid-19/)

• Scotland’s Year of Stories 2022 will spotlight, celebrate and promote the wealth of stories inspired by, written, or created in Scotland. 
• Led by VisitScotland, the Year of Stories 2022 will sustain and build upon the momentum of preceding Themed Years, showcasing a nationwide programme of major events and community celebrations.  
• From icons of literature to local tales, Scotland’s Year of Stories encourages locals and visitors to experience a diversity of voices, take part in events and explore the places, people and cultures connected to all forms of our stories, past and present.  
• Scotland’s Year of Stories will encourage responsible engagement and inclusive participation from the people of Scotland and our visitors. 
• Join the conversation using #YS2022 and #TalesOfScotland.  
• Following an industry consultation, Themed Years will take place every second year to enable more time for planning and collaboration. The next Themed Year will take place in 2024.

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