Scotland in October
Weather
Being after the Autumn equinox Scotland in October is the start of the reduction of daylight hours into the Winter Solstice. It’s unlikely to be warm through October, there can be frosty mornings. Typically though a few days will be warmer than average and that means layers! You’ll need waterproof/windproof outer shells and waterproof/warm boots too. Our Guides normally have a fleece or woollen jumpers under the shell! It’s a bit early for lots of snow but there’s often sprinklings on the tops of the hills.
We offer tours throughout the year and typically find October in Scotland is a shoulder season month, get in touch here before we’re fully booked!
Flora and Fauna
It’s officially Fungi season in Scotland! Whilst you can find fungi most of the year late September, October and into November are when you can spot them most easily. The Fly Agaric, pictured here, is regularly found near to our common Birch trees.
There’s less to forrage now but there’s still a few blackberries going about!
There are still some migratory birds flying overhead to leave the country for warmer climates (Southern Europe and Africa). There are also those that come here to spend the winter in our milder climate than further north!
The animals that hibernate are starting to prepare their nests
Do note there is NO poison Oak, NO poison Ivy and NO poison Summac in Scotland!
We run tours all year round, October is a fantastic month to visit Scotland and we’re often very busy so enquire here before we’re fully booked!
Events
In this Shoulder season you’d expect the events calendar to be drying up but not so in Scotland! With the autumn colours in full swing it’s a spectacular and lively time to visit especially with our traditional Halloween events and not-so traditional Halloween pub events! We’ve picked a few of our favourites and listed them below!
3rd October to 3rd November is the annual Enchanted Forest display in Pitlochry’s Faskally Wood, enjoy a light and sound show in the trees like no other!
From the 14th to the 20th October, Edinburgh plays host to the annual Cocktail week. Many bars and venues in the city take part with ‘festival’ cocktails at generally lower pricing than the capital usually offers!
Finally we’ve enjoyed some of the events at the Edinburgh horror festival! Just in time for Halloween!!
Seasonal Food
There may be a few apples still on the trees but most will be harvested by now. The Barley is in from the fields too by now and being turned into our biggest export and with the nights ‘drawing in’ and the temperatures dropping, October is a perfect time to enjoy a dram in a lively pub in front of an open fire after being on one of our whisky tours!
With the Geese on the wing, they’re in season! Along with our Duck and Pheasant. With luck you’ll even be able to find Venison on the menu.
We’re coming into root vegetable season and we should be spoiled for choice!
Tours
If you’d like to find out more or book with us for a tour in October, please get in touch here!
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