9 Unmissable things to do in Scotland in October

The October nights grow longer and the skies brighten with astronomical beauties so you have the best chance to spot your favourite constellations! Check out the Galloway Forest Park in the south of Scotland. It was the UK’s first dark sky park, and has some of the darkest skies in all of Europe. Or why not visit the Isle of Rum in the Inner Hebrides? It has just been named Scotland's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary - 2nd in Europe and one of only 20 others around the globe!

If you’re lucky enough and conditions are favourable, you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights this October. This spectacular sight can be spotted from a variety of locations including Orkney, Shetland, the Cairngorns and Aberdeenshire, and even as far south as Edinburgh and beyond. So why not camp out under the stars with friends or family, and see if you can catch this amazing natural light display?

Did you know that 2024 is considered a great year for aurora-spotting opportunities? During solar maximum, which we are experiencing this year, frequency of solar storms increases, leading to a stronger peak of solar activities. Make sure you catch a glimpse of this phenomenal natural wonder - a memory that will last a lifetime!

As the days get shorter and the evenings get cooler, Scotland’s lodges and cabins are the ideal setting for a weekend getaway filled with cosy nights in. You can switch off, light a fire, toast some marshmallows, enjoy a glass of bubbly in a hot tub, and snuggle up with your favourite film in one of the beautiful places to stay on offer.

A weekend in Scotland is a truly relaxing escape from your daily routine and you can guarantee that you’ll return refreshed and rejuvenated. You could also combine your cosy nights in with a spot of stargazing or an autumnal walk to blow away the cobwebs.

See the leaves change to their beautiful autumn colours before drifting down to the ground, to be crunched under foot. Scotland has some incredible forest walks for you to try.

Or why not head out to the coast and watch the power of nature as the waves come crashing in across the sands and up against our cliffs?

Head to Perthshire, known as Big Tree Country for lots of forests and rivers, or book a trip to Aberdeenshire to admire castles surrounded by autumn colours.

October brings a whole host of wildlife for you to see. The echoing sound of the geese can be heard for miles, signifying the presence of autumn. While taking a stroll along the coastline of Shetland you may be accompanied by several seal pups as they make their first movements along the shore. Further inland, striking red deer can also be spotted galivanting among the trees and plains.

There are a wide variety of delicious in-season foods to try when visiting Scotland in October from sweet and juicy apples, pears and plums to oysters.

Lamb is also the most tender in autumn months, making it perfect for a Sunday roast with friends and family.

October is of course the month of Halloween, and what better place to be spooked than Scotland with its haunting history!

Halloween events in 2024 include the Samhuinn Fire Festival at Calton Hill in Edinburgh and Paisley Halloween Festival, west of Glasgow.

One of the joys of visiting in October is that you can enjoy a more relaxing, laidback experience, with our more popular attractions being a bit quieter.

Slow down and take your time to really soak up the history and culture at a variety of attractions from Royal Yacht Britannia to Scone Palace. Take a trip around Scotland's Castle Trail or take the train up around the Highlands.

For all the bookworms out there, there are plenty of book festivals to get involved in, including Wigtown Book Festival (27 September - 6 October), Portobello Book Festival (4 - 6 October 2024), Scottish International Storytelling Festival (18- 31 October 2024) and the Orkney Storytelling Festival (24 - 27 October 2024).

Mòd An Òbain 2024 is also a great event to get to know Scottish and Gaelic culture, with a packed programme of events, music, Highland dance, drama, sport and literature taking place from 11-19 October.