Share the article
Last updated
Choosing a place to visit in the fall season can be a daunting task, when so many countries that are already beautiful become even more so as their leaves turn fiery red, orange, purple and every other color imaginable.
A country that has long been popular with travelers from all over the world is Scotland, which covers the northern third of the island of Great Britain. England’s northern neighbor is a great destination all year round, but autumn really comes alive.
Not only is it beautiful, but there are fewer crowds, prices can be lower, the weather is perfect for sightseeing, and it makes for an easy escape from the United States.
Scotland is clearly an ideal destination in any weather, but there are a few reasons why autumn really is the best time to visit.
@scotland_uncovered The autumn colors are back #scotlanddiscovered #visitscotland #autumn ♬ Edge of the night [Pippin’s Song] (Bonus track) – MALINDA
This is why Scotland is best visited in autumn:
Beautiful view
Scotland was recently voted one of the best places in the world to see autumn leaves, so why not come and see for yourself the vibrant colors taking over Scotland’s landscape this autumn?
While cities like Edinburgh, Inverness, Glasgow and Aberdeen all look beautiful this time of year, it’s the countryside that really shines. Head to the Scottish Highlands, explore the many lakes and even visit the coast to see some of Scotland’s autumn beaches.
Aside from the autumn colours, visiting Scotland in the autumn season might even reward you with some epic shows of the Northern Lights. This means you don’t have to go to Iceland or Norway to catch them (although you should of course visit both countries).
The northern Isles of the Outer Hebrides are the best place to see the lights, but recently people as far south as Edinburgh have reported seeing them, so keep your fingers crossed and your eyes on the night sky.
Lower prices
As Scotland is part of Great Britain, it is by no means a budget destination, but a visit in autumn can still save you some money here and there. This is usually the cheapest time to visit this beautiful country for many reasons.
Not only can you find some cheaper flight deals and accommodation, but many pubs and restaurants will also start offering their holiday menus at this time, so keep an eye out for the deals throughout the week.
A major reason why it will be cheaper to travel around Scotland this autumn is thanks to a new initiative from SchotRailmaking train fares on popular routes much lower, as a way to encourage more people to ride the rails instead of driving this season.
Less crowds
If a place is this beautiful, it will undoubtedly attract a lot of tourists, and Scotland is no exception. Visiting Edinburgh in the summer is a bit of a nightmare, especially when their famous Fringe festival is taking place.
But waiting until fall is a good idea, as the summer crowds are over and the winter holiday tourists haven’t arrived yet.
The number of American tourists to Scotland has increased by about 70% in recent years, so it’s definitely a trend among American travelers. Still, it seems like most of them come in the summer, so you should have a lot more of this country to yourself at this time of year.
Don’t forget to check out this other underrated British country if you have time.
@naomvlogs Another 17 days until the best season #autumnvibes #autumn #fall #pumpkinherbszn #autumn countdown #autumnfashion #falesthetic #autumnfashion #autumnaesthetic #autumnoutfits #autumnstyle #autumnseason #Edinburgh, Scotland #autumnleaves #autumn colours ♬ original sound – Scarlett
Sweater weather
Autumn is a mild time of year for Scotland weather-wise, although you should expect some rain. Cities like Edinburgh and Inverness see their average temperatures drop somewhere between 43 and 55 degrees in October.
Expect moody skies, crisp mornings and warm afternoons, and don’t forget to pack for all possible weather conditions (even for just one day). Think raincoats, umbrellas, boots and layers.
The autumn weather in Scotland is perfect for exploring all the beauty of the country and cozying up in a pub by the fire after a busy day of sightseeing, wearing your cozy new Shetland jumper.
@charmingwanders 10 more weeks! 🍁🍂 #Edinburgh #Scotland #autumn #cosyvibes #rainlover ♬ original sound – gilmoregirlstick
Main location
For American travelers coming from the East Coast, a direct flight to Edinburgh takes just 8 hours and conveniently departs in the evening. This means you can go to sleep in New York and wake up to go to Scotland.
Since it’s not too far away, the time difference shouldn’t interrupt your plans too much, and once you’re in Scotland, it’s easy and convenient to reach England by train. You can then fly to Edinburgh, explore the city and then fly out of London again. making it two trips in one.
And of course, being in Europe makes it easy and cheap to get elsewhere via low-cost airlines, allowing you to add any other destination you like to your trip, perhaps one of the other countries that are popular this fall.
Read more:
Top 5 Travel Insurance Plans for 2023 from $10 per week
How to easily earn points for free travel
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS
Enter your email address to subscribe to the latest Travel Off Path breaking travel news, delivered straight to your inbox.
This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
