All the leaves are brown, and the sky is grey… Dreaming of Scotland this Autumn
Above: Lochan Mor, Rothiemurchus Forest, Highlands.
As the nights draw in, Scotland invites visitors to savour the season’s quiet beauty. Settle into fireside retreats, from Perthshire bothies to Edinburgh townhouses; then get lost in the glow of independent cinemas, from island theatres to Art Deco gems. From spooky tours to anniversaries, to brand new accommodation to book for the darker nights, autumn is the time to get cosy and coorie* in. Visitors can make a seasonal visit to Moray Speyside, a region blending whisky heritage with coastal charm and outdoor adventure — it is the ideal spot for an off-the-beaten-path break. For more information on an autumnal break in Scotland, go to: https://www.visitscotland.com/travel-planning/when-to-visit/autumn
Cosy Stays for autumnal days
With autumn leaves outside and warm spaces inside, these stays make nyctophilia(**) a joy worth indulging in.
Coorie (Noun); this comes from an old Scots word meaning to nestle or snuggle. *Nyctophilia: (Noun); Love of Darkness or Night; Finding relaxation or comfort in the darkness.
Where to stay:
• New: Macbeth’s Bothy, Perthshire A brand-new retreat set within the Dunsinnan Estate near Perth, Macbeth’s Bothy offers a secluded, soul-soothing escape. Crisp walks, misty mornings, and countryside views set the tone for evenings by the fire — a perfect base for exploring nature’s autumnal palette in quiet luxury. Check out this Instagram reel here. Prices start from £200 per night.
• New: Rothie Cabins, Rothiemurchus Estate, Highlands
A beautifully designed, eco-luxury retreat for two - nestled in the heart of the Cairngorms National Park – is open for bookings. Originally built for the COP26 Climate Summit in Glasgow, the cabin was created to showcase zero-carbon, circular building solutions by Beyond Zero Homes. The structure was carefully dismantled, transported, and reassembled within the ancient Caledonian forest of Rothiemurchus Estate. Rothie Cabins donate 0.5% of revenue to climate commitments. Prices from £250 per night, minimum stay two nights.
• New: Murrayshall Country Estate pods, Perthshire The estate introduced 22 Armadilla pod-style cabins this summer, doubling its room capacity. Designed by Scottish firm Armadilla, the new pods will offer a unique and eco-friendly sanctuary for guests seeking a countryside retreat. Prices start from £250 per night.
• New: Tiny Home Borders, hillside retreat, Hawick, Scottish Borders These snug cabins, designed just for two, are located on the southern slopes of Ruberslaw with beautiful views to the rolling Borders countryside. They come with a private lochan for paddle-boarding and wild swimming, as well as an outdoor deck and hot tub. Guests might even spot a local badger or hear the roar of neighbouring stags. Or just sit back and look at the stars. Dreamy? Yes. Prices from £180 per night for two people (minimum two nights stays, three nights at weekends).
• Coming soon:: Boloquoy Farm and Mill, Victorian Farmhouse & Mill, Orkney Retreats, Orkney Owners of Orkney Retreats on the remote and beautiful Scottish isle of Sanday are opening a historic farm and water mill to the public, following years of painstaking restoration. The Historic Environment Scotland-listed farm of Boloquoy has been carefully reconstructed and curated into a living museum for guests4 to come, stay, step back in time and experience the life of a Victorian farming family. The house, farm and water mill lie on the island’s western coastline and were continuously inhabited by the Fea family from 1762 to 2023, when they were passed to Jackie and Malcolm Sinclair. Check out their video here. Bookings currently welcome via their website for stays in 2026. Press trips are currently available for this autumn.
• New: in 2025:Stay Well at Kimpton Hotels, Edinburgh and Glasgow Kimpton Hotels in Edinburgh and Glasgow have launched ‘Stay Well,’ a new wellness-first initiative designed to help guests “feel good, travel better, and stay well” while travelling. From Swell Sound Therapy for better sleep to personalised Technogym workouts (tailored to available equipment), Urban Trails, and indulgent self-care treats, wellness is effortlessly woven into every stay. Check these out now at both Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel & Spa in Glasgow and Kimpton Charlotte Square in Edinburgh. Prices from £190 per night.
Cinema Paradiso: Scotland’s Independent Screens
With darker evenings comes the perfect excuse to spend time in a darkened room watching a new (or classic) film on the big screen. Scotland’s independent cinemas offer much more than just films; they’re community hubs, architectural gems and offer unforgettable cultural experiences, especially during the cooler months.
Community & Small-Scale Arts Venues
Heart of Hawick, Scottish Borders
Set against the Scottish Borders’ autumn colours, this intimate 108-seat venue blends film, live music, and theatre. Expect screenings from the National Theatre and RSC, alongside warm, seasonal hospitality.
Montrose Playhouse, Angus Once a swimming pool, now a three-screen cinema and café-bar, Montrose Playhouse brings a golden-leaf warmth to film and art. Autumn programmes include indie premieres and community events. Forthcoming special events include the Montrose LandXSea Festival, 12-14 September 2025.
Isle of Bute Discovery Centre Cinema, Rothesay, Isle of Bute
Housed in Rothesay’s famous 1924 Winter Garden, the centre has a cinema showing the latest cinematic releases as well as a fascinating free multimedia exhibition introducing visitors to the beautiful Isle of Bute.
Robert Burns Centre Film Theatre (RBCFT), Dumfries
Housed in an 18th-century mill, this 69-seat cinema offers arthouse gems, foreign-language films, and relaxed screenings, perfect for cosy autumn nights by the River Nith.
An Tobar and Mull Theatre, Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Overlooking Tobermory Bay, this venue pairs autumnal sea views with theatre, music, visual arts, and film—bringing creative warmth to the island’s cooler months.
The Byre Theatre, St Andrews, Fife
The Byre hosts an autumn line-up of drama, comedy, and film, with spaces designed for community connection as the nights draw in.
HB Film Festival, Paisley, Renfrewshire
This annual festival, which runs from 2-5 October 2025, champions Scottish indie filmmaking, showcasing features, shorts, and documentaries in the heart of Paisley. With red-carpet events, Q&As, and networking, its autumn edition offers filmmakers and audiences a vibrant celebration of creativity and storytelling.
City-Scale Theatres & Cinemas
Dundee Rep’s autumn programme mixes drama, music, and dance, offering everything from thought-provoking plays to lively seasonal productions in a warm, welcoming setting.
Freshly reopened, Filmhouse greets autumn with four screens, heritage projectors, and a hand-picked programme, perfect for crisp Edinburgh evenings.
Glasgow City Venues:
Glasgow Film Theatre – Autumn retrospectives, Q&As, and cult classics, all in the glow of Scotland’s most beloved independent cinema. Tramway – Bold visual art and performance, from immersive exhibitions to atmospheric family shows. Tron Theatre – Seasonal drama, comedy, and intimate events in Glasgow’s much-loved converted-church theatre.
Art Deco & Heritage Picture houses
Campbeltown Picture House, Argyll and Bute
An exquisitely restored 1913 cinema, blending Art Deco elegance with modern comfort, screening everything from blockbusters to specialist film this autumn.
The Birks Cinema, Aberfeldy, Perthshire
This community hub offers first-run films, live broadcasts, and a welcoming café, ideal for a post -walk warm-up.
The Hippodrome, Bo’ness Scotland’s oldest purpose-built cinema (1912) celebrates the Autumn season with Taste of Silents, an evocative blend of live music and silent film in a historic Art Deco setting.
Borders Railway Anniversary
2025 marks the 10th anniversary of the Borders Railway, which reconnected Edinburgh to the Scottish Borders for the first time in nearly 50 years.
The Scottish Borders region invites slower journeys and scenic escapes. In the decade since its reopening, the line has successfully generated over 13 million passenger journeys across the 30-mile route*, encouraged sustainable travel, and helped revitalise communities along its route. Towns such as Tweedbank and Stow have welcomed new cafés, shops, and attractions, while the Great Tapestry of Scotland Gallery in Galashiels has become a major draw. This year’s anniversary events mark the railway’s heritage and its role in supporting local economies, with discussions already under way about a possible extension to Carlisle.
For more information on the route, timetables, and places to explore, visit Borders Railway – ScotRail.