Autumn in the Highlands – Wildlife, Colours & Changing Landscapes

When the first chill touches the air and the light takes on a softer golden quality, the Scottish Highlands undergo one of their most dramatic transformations. Autumn here isn’t just a season – it’s a spectacle. From fiery mountain slopes to the haunting sound of migrating geese, walking in the Cairngorms and wider Highlands in autumn offers an experience every bit as memorable as summer’s long days.

In this blog, we’ll share what makes an autumn walking holiday in Scotland so unique, and why it’s worth lacing up your boots before winter fully sets in.

A Tapestry of Colour Across the Landscape

Autumn brings an explosion of colour to the Highlands. The birch woods turn a luminous yellow, contrasting with the deep bronze of bracken and the russet glow of rowan trees heavy with berries. On higher ground, the heather fades to rich copper and purple-brown, while bog grasses flush a fiery orange.

Walking here in October or November means you’ll find yourself surrounded by colour at every turn. The softer, angled light of the season intensifies the hues, creating perfect conditions for photographers and those who simply want to soak in the views.

Wildlife on the Move

Autumn also means movement in the natural world. Some species prepare for winter, while others are just passing through.

• The Red Deer Rut: The roar of stags echoing across glens is one of Scotland’s most atmospheric natural events. Watching these magnificent animals posture and battle is unforgettable – but best observed from a respectful distance.

• Migrating Birds: Flocks of pink-footed geese arrive from Iceland, filling the skies with their calls. Meanwhile, local species like the ptarmigan and mountain hare begin changing their coats, blending into the coming snows.

• Fungi Season: The damp ground becomes a treasure hunt for fungi enthusiasts. At this time of year, you’re more likely to come across sturdy bolettes such as the prized penny bun, as well as an array of colourful toadstools brightening the forest floor.

With an experienced guide, these subtle seasonal signs are brought to life. Guests often remark how much more they notice when someone points out the changes beneath their feet and above their heads.

The Magic of Highland Light

Shorter days bring longer dawns and dusks. Mists rise from lochs, cloaking the hills in ethereal veils before burning off to reveal crisp, clear skies. Sunsets linger in shades of apricot and rose, mirrored in calm waters.

The interplay of light and shadow on mountain slopes in autumn is a gift to walkers – you may find yourself pausing as often for the shifting views as for a breather.

Why Walk in Autumn in the Highlands?

Many walkers think first of summer when planning a Scottish holiday. But autumn has its own special charms:

• Quieter Trails: With fewer visitors around, the hills feel more peaceful, giving you the chance to savour the landscape at your own pace.

• Comfortable Temperatures: Brisk, fresh air keeps you cool on the climbs.

• Rich Rewards Indoors: Returning to warmth, good food, and shared stories feels even more satisfying after a day in crisp autumn weather.

A Season to Remember – autumn in the Highlands

Autumn walking in the Highlands is about more than scenery; it’s about connection – to the land, to wildlife, and to the rhythm of the seasons. It’s a time of transition, where every step reveals a new detail: a stag on the ridge, a skein of geese overhead, a blaze of colour in the birch woods.

Guided walks during this season help you see what might otherwise go unnoticed and ensure you walk safely as the weather turns cooler. More than anything, autumn offers the perfect balance between wilderness adventure and quiet reflection.

Preparing your body & mind for autumn & winter walking

The change from summer to autumn can demand a wee bit more from you to keep the spirits up and the body healthy. Here’s a few tips to help get deal with the change of seasons:

Why Scottish terrain in cooler months demands preparation

One of the photography highlights of the autumn – hanging mists

The approach of autumn often seems to come overnight. One day it’s bright and sunny; the next we’re dealing with frost and fog.

Both Autumn and winter have their own challenges. In autumn, the days are already getting shorter, the leaves are falling from the trees and there can often be more rain than during other seasons. These all combine to produce more slippery conditions underfoot, meaning that more care needs to be taken when out and about. You might also want to consider investing in extra gear to make you more comfortable; like waterproof socks or leather boots.

On top of this, the daylight hour start to decline – which mean additional equipment to pack in your bags, such as headtorches.

The plus side though is that there are plenty of reasons to continue getting out and about and making the most of the season.

• Autumn colours are spectacular
• Rainbows are more common
• Both sunrise and sunset provide amazing photographic opportunities.
• Temperature inversions are a feature of autumn (when the hill tops are above the cloud in the valley)

Gentle training ideas

If you are keen to keep yourself fit and prepared to hike in the autumn and winter, here are a few tips to combat the winter blues and autumn lethargy, brought on by the shorter days.

• make sure you always take the stiars when you have the opportunity
• If you travel to work by public transport, try getting off a stop early and walking the rest of the route
• check out some local pub walks to keep you motivated. If you’ve done all the ones close at hand, investigate travelling a wee bit further away. Use the good pub guide for inspiration.
• see if you can get flexi-time at work, then maybe you can free up a whole day to go out and about
• consider checking out some shorter routes you may not thik are worth doing in the summer. You might find some a wee bit further afield which you haven’t done before – you can travel during the darker hours and use the daylight to walk.

Also check out our how to get fit for winter blog

Mental adjustments for autumn and winter

There’s no getting away from it as autumn becomes more established and winter looms on the horizon, it does become more difficult to motivate yourself to get up and get on with the day. It’s all to do with the lack of sunlight (leading to lower levels of serotonin) and lack of vitamin D.

• set yourself targets. Maybe take on a charity challenge: move 100 miles in October, a plank a day, 100 squats a day, 100 skips a day etc There must be some cause you’d like to raise funds for.
• take advantage of the opportunity to observe both sunset and sunrise at “civilised” times of the day
• invest in a bright head torch
• camp out in autumn (especially in Scotland) to hear the stags roar

How preparation makes holidays more enjoyable, not just survivable

Hasn’t everyone had at least one experience which they were completely under prepared for? I’ll tell you mine.

We decided to take a family night away (to bag a rogue Munro- or two – on the west coast). The plan was to cycle in, camp and climb the munros the following day. All went to plan until the walk began under continuous rainfall and wet bog. Unfortunately I had decided to wear my cycle trousers (only waterproof in high stress areas) and cotton leggings under them. Can’t remember what I was wearing on top. Nor can I remember what jacket I was wearing. By the top of the first Munro I was soaked to the skin and getting progressively colder. Breaks were no fun. I did not attempt the second Munro.

Striking camp had to be left to the boys (who were cosy enough under their more choice apparel).

I cycled out to the van and had to strip and huddle under a blanket to try to warm up.

Lesson learnt though – cotton leggings have not reappeared in my hillwalking wardrobe. Lovely warm merino leggings are now my go-to choice any time I head out in autumn or winter.

Autumn and winter hiking in the Highlands

The weather here, partly due to our latitude, does make hiking more of a challenge but with the proper training, clothing or leadership; it can all be conquered.

If you decide to explore in the Cairngorms, check out our accommodation at Fraoch Lodge, where we can offer free advice on hikes and equipment if you wish.