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I don't really know where to start with this so thought I'd ask on here as the font of all knowledge.
Me and Mrs B need a break from work, we'll probably book a week off in October and we keep talking about going to Scotland but don't know where. We went to Edinburgh last February so not there, more of an outdoorsy/fresh-air type break. It'll need to be an 'undulating walk along the coast/a loch/a river/through a wood/to a waterfall' rather than a 'bagging munros' thing. Half a chance of spotting some wildlife, whether it's red squirrels, kites, deer or even an otter or seal (not in the woods!) would be nice too.
I've been looking around on https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/ but there is so much choice that I don;t where to start, or if there's any point doing the extra 5 hours of driving to get up near Skye vs stopping in Dumfries.
So, any suggestions for areas not much further north than Fort William? I did a mountain marathon in Attadale a couple of years ago, the drive up and the area were both stunning, but I think would be a bit too 'rugged' for the OH that far up, plus it's a long way from the West Midlands!
Port Glasgow.
Walkhighlands have some "our picks" on various themes, may be of interest https://www.walkhighlands.co.uk/news/category/our-picks/
You have described 80 % of scotland outside of the cities.
Dumfries is lovely, so are the scottish borders. Kirkcudbright is a personal fav.
Also check dates, our tattie picking holidays are in october...
go somewhere else - Scotland is shit in October
Dunkeld ? Or that general area , lots of nice walking around there that doesn’t involve Munro’s . Decent chance of wildlife spotting to I’d imagine.
I was thinking Dunkeld too, lovely spot. OTOH I was also thinking
go somewhere else – Scotland is shit in October
Speyside is good for wildlife and in Oct you can stick to lower levels if weather is poor or drive up to the ski centre for views and walks if you fancy one big day out. RSPB sites (one focused on Ospreys who'll be gone but the wetlands should be getting busy), Rothiemurchus estate has walks in forest and lakes and wildlife hides, Nethy forest for birds and squirrels, chance of deer and reindeer herd up at Glenmore, Highland Wildlife centre, and if you take binos upstream on Findhorn River (Coignafearn) you have a very good chance of seeing golden eagles and there are deer and mountain goats on the hills (far away!). Further afield there is Chanonry Point for dolphins and Clara Cairns, Culloden, some castles and estates, distilleries. Grantown on Spey is nice if you want a traditional small town, Aviemore is good for facilities and bars but more 'touristy'.
Or take the bikes and stay around Kippford or Kirkcudbright for coastal walks, 7 Stanes and nice small village pubs, and less driving.
As Kona girl suggested... Dumfries and Galloway has got all you're looking for. Coastal walks and wildlife is superb, also got more rugged landscapes if you fancy and plenty waterfalls. It's no poor relation to the Highlands scenery and wildlife wise.
Kippford is a good shout, it puts you in the middle ish to explore options but also plenty on your doorstep. You also have some good options of the weather is shite ( Wigton, Kirkcudbright etc).
But yes Port Glasgow too. It's sometimes called the Sorrento of the North, on account of it's clement jet stream fueled weather, rustic sea food and love for fortified continental wines.
A bit leftfield maybe, but if you have any interest in archaeology / prehistory then Kilmartin Glen might be worth a look. The walking is relatively gentle, and you can't go anywhere without tripping over a barrow, cairn, standing stone or rock carving. Pop up to Oban if you want some 'civilisation' or amazing seafood (the shack on the dock looks a bit shonky but the food is awesome).
3rd vote for D&G. A short hop across the border and you're there. See if anything in Kippford or nearby has a vacancy. You'll never want to go home.
+1 for D&G for what you describe.
Lovely part of the world, we had a happy 5 years there.
Arran
I'm in Kintyre at the moment and sounds like what you're after. The area around Tayvallich, Lochgilphead, Tarbert, etc. is lovely.
As usual I'll put a word in for the more westerly part of D and G. NewtonStewart is a good base and Kirroughtree was/is my favourite trail centre. Having said that I live in Lochaber and wouldn't live anywhere else.
Danny MacAskill - E-Bikes open up a new world of possibilities !
Except the possibility of getting a phone signal should you fall off and hurt yourself, such are the joys of cycling rugged parts of Scotland. 😆
Lol @tomd!
Tbh, October can be a belter of a month, I've some tremendous cold, crispy autumn breaks over the years in the October week.
East is drier on average.....
But most places out of the cities are nice. I'm in D&G after moving here after years of coming up on holiday.
Aberdeenshire is lovely but a fair old drive.
I'm thinking of going east in October
As said October can be fine, I'd be looking at D&G (out of midge season) or the Trossachs up at Killin. New Galloway forest covers a lot of bases, lots of good memories of walking around Glentrool, Clatteringshaws and such. More hill walking than mountain climbing really but some great views if you do decide to go big and it's a clear day (might be a tall order). Most memories are of rain though, pack for wet and you'll be fine.
Port Glasgow.
He said outdoorsy, not a safari.
Fife coast path
tbf stevemuzzy first suggested D&G. Typically east is drier than west but really it will be luck of what the weather does the week you choose and this year I think you do need to book ahead. D&G is great for less drive and quiet. Speyside or Mull for wildlife but at the risk of crap weather. If you are happy with a pub and log fire if it's a wash out then try not to overthink it.
I live on Mull - it’s the car rally 7-10 October so chances of finding accommodation are zero that week otherwise a fab place for wildlife and waterfalls. I could almost guarantee you could see otters just walking from Tobermory if you know where to go and the wild red deer are everywhere. Pine martens and Sea Eagles if you look carefully.
Previously lived on Speyside - yes, better chances of drier weather but your choice of wildlife is more limited - maybe roe deer, red squirrel, brown hare, otherwise captive bred pheasant and partridge as the landowners are doing doing their best to kill virtually everything else.
Later in the October the autumn colours are starting to show - around Blair Atholl, Pitlochry and Faskally are the best.
You have described 80 % of scotland outside of the cities.
Yep, I know full well I'm looking at a full third of the UK and saying "is there anywhere to go for a walk or two?". Thanks for the tips and very good point on half term. TBH that might rule it out for this year as we're fairly fixed on dates.
I'd rather be somewhere tropical, but given everything that's going on it's somewhere in the mainland UK, and if we don't do anything then I'll be in Coventry, so it's a fairly low bar.go somewhere else – Scotland is shit in October
@konagirl/@paton no bikes unfortunately.
Everyone else: thanks for the input, sounds like D&G might be a possibility then, or Aviemore for the reindeer.
Port Glasgow.
Lived in Aberdeen on and off for 40 years. Until last year I’d never been to the North East coast other then Portsoy twice. I’m going to suggest Spey Bay (we saw otters), Cullen, the place they filmed local hero, and Speyside. The last year has shown me just how much is on my doorstep. Last weekend we saw a golden eagle at Glenlivet. Also Scotland rocks in Autumn - there’s no such thing as bad weather just poor clothing choice 😅
the place they filmed local hero
That would be Pennan.
Elgin and that section of coast are nice most of the year.
Often sunny when everything else is pure pishing it Doon.
Great walks, dolphins and pine martens etc.
We often find oursleves looking at Oban and the area north of there, Port Appin etc...The sea views are amazing, easy access to Islands, lochs and hills for a bit of exploring,. clement weather, (Gulf Stream) access to hills and mountains and bit of biking. some great restaurants for seafood, lovely part of the world