Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness. Autumn in Scotland can be one of the most rewarding times to visit. Burnished leaf displays, quieter streets, temperate weather, and good value accommodation too. Here’s where to stay, and what to do, as we leave summer behind in Stirling.
Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town this autumn, a short trip from your Stirling base
Find out where to spot red squirrels this autumn
Great value accommodation
If you’re considering a city break in Stirling, why not choose from our budget accommodation portfolio at budgetacommodationstirling.co.uk? Each one of our properties is perfectly equipped for your stay, with crisp, modern interiors and ideal central locations in both Stirling and in Bridge of Allan. Offering exceptional value for money, these apartments will provide you with the ideal base to explore Stirling and its beautiful surrounds without hammering your budget in the run up to Christmas!
Gateway to Glasgow to Edinburgh
Slap bang in the heart of Scotland, Stirling is the perfect place for a city break. Not only is it the gateway to the Highlands (heck, you can be in the wilds of Glencoe in under two hours!), but its central location opens up both Glasgow and Edinburgh as easy day-trip destinations too. Direct trains run frequently from Stirling City centre to both cities, and you could be in the heart of Glasgow or Edinburgh in around 50 minutes. Plan your Edinburgh day trip here: http://edinburgh.org/ or your Glasgow adventure here: https://peoplemakeglasgow.com/
Experience Scotland ‘in the fall’
For those who love autumn colour, there’s no need to fly long-haul to New England. Stirling can provide the perfect base for ‘leaf peeping’. Take a stroll round the campus of Stirling University for some stunning autumn displays, right on your doorstep. Further afield, but just an hour from Stirling by car, or even less by train, Perthshire has earned itself the title of ‘Big Tree Country’. Here, you can find Europe’s oldest tree, the world’s highest hedge, Shakespeare’s Birnam Wood in present day, and lots more. Visit some of the stunning sites recommended for leaf peeping by Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust at https://www.pkct.org/News/top-10-autumn-walks-in-perthshire. Wow.
Scottish autumn wildlife
From spotting red squirrels to leaping salmon and the bellow of red deer stags, autumn is an exciting time in the Scottish landscape, and it’s probably the best time to see our more elusive animals as they prepare for winter. For general information on what to look for and where, see VisitScotland’s autumn wildlife e-book here: http://ebooks.visitscotland.com/scottish-wildlife-series/. For specific spots to see deer rut, salmon leap, and red squirrels, check out this link: https://www.pkct.org/News/best-autumn-walks-for. And if you want the help of an expert guide, there are many companies who can help you get the sighting you want. Check out this website for full information: http://www.wild-scotland.org.uk/
Seasonal produce
One of the best things about the autumn is the bounty it brings, and Stirling is a brilliant place to get your hands on it. Visit Stirling Farmers’ Market on the second Saturday of every month, from 10-4pm in Port Street Stirling. There, more than 25 stallholders will brave all elements to bring you the very best seasonal fare from their farms, orchards and kitchens. For more information, see: http://www.stirlingfarmersmarket.co.uk/. And if seasonal, foodie events are your thing, take a look at http://foodfestivalfinder.co.uk/scotland to ensure you don’t miss any during your Stirling city break!
Enjoy autumn colour at Craigvinean Pine Cone Shelter: Photo by Ronald Weir
Buy seasonal produce in the heart of Stirling
Photo credits: Craigvinean Pine Cone Shelter: Photo by Ronald Weir and originally supplied by Perthshire Big Tree Country, now http://www.pkct.org/