Thursday, 28 September 2023
As we head into autumn and October arrives, we wanted to highlight just some of the wonderful things you can taste, see, and do while visiting Scotland at this time.
Scottish produce is abundant during the autumn months of October, November, and December. Seafood is on the menu with lobsters, langoustines, and salmon all available. Root vegetables such as parsnip, pumpkin, and carrots are the best types of vegetables for warming soups and stews. Although lamb is mostly eaten in the spring, it is very tender at this time of year and a delicious option for an evening meal. Venison is at its most succulent too! This season is also fabulous for a bit of bramble picking, ideal for crumbles and jams.
In Autumn in Scotland, you'd perhaps think that all the wildlife disappears to hibernate however if you look closely, you may just see the following animals while on or near the shores of the west coast. Deer begin their mating season now so if you are lucky enough to witness the males and their rutting displays, this memory will last a lifetime. The call of the male deer can be heard across the moors and will most likely occur during the early mornings or serene evenings. Seals bring their young pups into the world at this time, and you can sometimes see them on the shoreline on a calm day or even next to the boat as they pop their heads up looking for fish. Another iconic sighting is the truly wild flocks of greylag geese and Canada geese which can be seen flying low over the lochs.
As the leaves start to fall, and the cold, crisp days take your breath away, there is something quite magical about taking an autumn walk through a forest or canalside like the photo shown here, or even on a deserted coastal path. Woodland walks bring towering trees, wildlife sightings, and wandering waterfalls while coastal walks could see you descend upon a deserted Scottish castle or another brooding historical site. It is no wonder autumn is one of our favourite seasons! Our 6-night Loch Ness and the Caledonian Canal is the perfect cruise for canalside walks.
Shorter days and crisp, clear nights can bring the most spectacular displays of dark skies here in Scotland. Crew member Dan captured this stunning shot recently while out on deck. There is very little light pollution on the west coast of Scotland, especially around the coastal areas. It can be the perfect place for a bit of star gazing and the best places would be to the far west such as the Outer Hebrides, Kintyre, Mull, or even down towards Dumfries and Galloway. These months are also perfect conditions for witnessing the Northern Lights, which we have been so fortunate to see this past month. Why not join our autumn one-way 6-night Isles of the Clyde and the Southern Hebrides cruise for the best chance of star gazing this October.
Vibrant colours such as yellow, brown, red and orange are a common sight during the months of autumn. With so many pine and oak forests and heather-covered hills in Scotland, you will never be far away from these stunning complimentary colours. Artists love this time of year as their colour palettes become a vibrant hue of autumn and holidaymakers love the scenic backdrops of warming colours on their trips. A trip to an Arboretum, a canal-side walk or a walk in the woodlands are the ideal spots for taking in the autumn colours.
This was our second cruise on the Glen Tarsan and we can't wait to go back.