When the weather is set to change and all you can think about is getting the big jumpers out ready to wrap up, don't forget that the Autumn can also be one of the best times to get out and look at what Scotland has to offer. No matter how you get there, walk, cycle, mountain bike, canoe or go by stand-up paddleboard, there's a host of spectacualr views to be seen in the Scottish landscape in Autumn.
Take a look at our top 10 list of locations for Autumn Views below, and see which one comes top by looking through some of our customers' fantastic shots on our Instagram feed. If you want to get out and try to hunt down some great photo opportunities, have a look for some inspiration and then share your finds with #MyTiso across our networks.
(Images courtesy of John MacSporran)
1 Rannoch Moor, Highlands
Rannoch Moor is the gateway to Glencoe’s mighty mountain range, and Buachallie Etive Mor. For walkers and mountain bikers, the West Highland Way is the ideal route to approach the area, an easy way to experience the great outdoors, and with plenty of places to stop along the way, you could make this trip into a weekend long photo tour. The moor resplendent in autumn shades and with a backdrop of snowy mountains is truly breathtaking. Climatic weather formations, and gorgeous natural typography make this a hotspot for filmmakers and tourists alike.
2 Buachaille Etive Mor
The iconic backdrop of the great mountain - Buachaille Etive Mor, sits as the guardian to the entrances of Glencoe and Glen Etive in the Highlands. When approaching the area, it seems to loom out of the ground, with a prescence all of its own. Translating from Gaelic, the mountain's name is “Great Shepherd of the Glens”. In the landscape it stands proud, protective of the animals that call this area home. The view is particularly amazing earlier in the morning or later in the evening when the sun is low in the sky and the light creates shadows that dance across the rock.
3 Loch Katrine
If you're wanting to get to those views without having to venture too far, almost anywhere in the Loch Lomond & the Trossachs National Park will provide a superb Autumn view. You can access the National Park by train from Glasgow, and it's a fairly easy place to walk around, so it's great for a whole family adventure. Loch Katrine is nestled between many hills and mountains in Stirlingshire, and is a favourite spot for walkers and cyclists, due to the number of great paths and trails open to everyone.
4 Loch Achray
If you're at home by the water, Scotland is a great place to reflect and get fantastic opportunities for views like this. Staying in Stirlingshire for the next hotspot on our list, another example of a very photogenic loch for Autumn views, Loch Achray near the town of Callander. It's best to try and go early or later on in the day, as the chance of catching the view as the sun rises or sets across the water is well worth getting up or staying out for.
5 Loch Arklet
Halfway through our run-down of our top 10 hotspots for Autumn Views, and Located in the Trossachs near the tiny settlement of Stronachlachar, Loch Arklet offers plenty opportunity for phenomenal views during this season. Timing your trip with the weather and aiming for when the sky is blue and the weather is still, you might be fortunate enough to see reflections in the cool loch waters. When the weather gets colder, the loch can also begin to freeze which creates even more stunning views.
6 The Devil’s Staircase
If you're looking for a hidden gem, then look no further than the stunning Devil's Staircase found in the Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park. Take a trip a couple of miles north of the village of Drymen, and you'll be on the hunt for a piece of scottish history. The staircase itself was built a couple of centuries ago and descends into Finnich Gorge, wearing footwear with a good grip is essential for this brief walk, as the stairs can get a little slippery during the Autumn as the leaves begin to fall. The staircase is also known as the Devil’s Pulpit and can be walked with the nearby Whangie Hill, as reviewed by a number of walkers on the linked site.
7 Loch Faskally
The River Tummel and Loch Faskally are at the heart of Perthshire, a region that is also known as the Big Tree Country. Wilderness Stand Up Paddle Board Company often lead paddle sessions on the loch and they particularly enjoy Autumn for a paddling escape as the weather can be calm and not too warm. The views here can be great, depending on the weather, and if you check the weather in advance, it's another great place for a weekend getaway or family trip.
8 Tummel Gorge
Another one for our walkers out there, the wider Tummel Gorge in Perthshire is one of the best places to see the spectacularly vibrant colours of Autumn trees in Scotland. taking a walk along th ridge is a great way to get a view down the valley, and if you're feeing up to it, you can walk part of the length of the River Tummel to see reach the tops of the trees. A particulalry good walk for wildlife, it gives you a good chance to get closer to nature.
9 The Hermitage Bridge
Another Perthshire hotspot for filmmakers and photographers, because of the tree colours in Autumn is The Hermitage at Dunkeld. The wooded glen is a lovely place for a stroll and it is often sheltered when the weather in the surrounding area is a bit wild. Don’t miss the historic bridges and a folly situated above the river. It's a definite weekend trip, and well worth making the effort to go up to visit. History mixed with great views, cool water and enchanting forests, it comes quite high on our list!
10 Ben More (Isle of Mull)
If you're brave enough to venture further afield this Autumn, then why not take a trip to the Isle of Mull. On the west coast, Ardvergnish Farm is overshadowed by the southern slopes of Ben More on a moody Autumnal day. Standing tall, at 966m, Ben More is the island’s highest point, and getting the view from the bottom is lovely, but if you really want a great Autumnal view, pack a bag, pull on your best hiking boots and waterproofs and take the walk to the summit where, if the weather allows it, you'll get views across most of scotland, the hebrides and the coastline that makes our country's landscape so special.
Don't forget to share your adventures with us using #MyTiso. If you want more information about how to get out there and explore this Autumn, take a look at the Visit Scotland website.
