5 glorious autumn short break ideas

BEST FOR

Anyone who just can't get enough of the golds, reds, burnt oranges and yellows that the changing season brings.

THINGS TO DO

No region wears autumn quite as well as Perthshire. Known as "Big Tree Country", the landscape is transformed as summer slips and the foliage changes colour.

This region has plenty of fantastic walks for all abilities where you can admire the bold auburn woodland scenes, including:

• The Hermitage - near Dunkeld, this walk was a favourite of the Dukes of Atholl
• Loch Tummel - west of Pitlochry,  be sure to stop at the Queens View, one of the most famous viewpoints in Scotland
• Lady Mary's Walk, along the River Earn. Pop into the Glenturret Distillery along the way for a tour and a nip of Famous Grouse whisky
• Knock of Crieff - enjoy staggeringly beautiful views of Strathearn
• Deil's Cauldron - from Comrie, the wooded path along the River Lednock will take you to this cascading waterfall. It's a great circular walk, which also takes in the Melville Monument, an obelisk sitting atop Dunmore hill
• Drovers' Tryst Walking Festival - take part in organised walks throughout the scenic countryside surrounding Crieff and Strathearn. Plus, there are sociable events on the programme including a ceilidh, talks and storytelling.
• Enchanted Forest - catch this night-time light spectacle in Faskally Wood

BEST FOR

Enthusiasts of brewed beverages looking to taste their way around a region.

THINGS TO DO

You are never far from a decent pint in the Scottish Borders - it's an area that's home to a scattering of breweries and some fantastic country pubs.

• Rutherfords, Kelso - Scotland's first micropub, which specialises in well-kept craft ales
• The Cobbles Inn, Kelso - the brewery tap for the Tempest Brewing Company
• BeerCraft, Kelso - check out this independent artisan bottle shop before you leave
• Traquair House, Innerleithen - not only is it Scotland's oldest inhabited house, it also has a subterranean brewery which lies underneath its chapel. The Laird of Traquair, Peter Stuart Maxwell, began brewing in the forgotten brewery in the 1960s.
• The Taproom, Galashiels - this autumn, you can also enjoy popular Galashiels Brewery, Tempest Brewing Co. at the taproom. It promises fresh beer, music, yummy street food and behind-the-scenes tours.

BEST FOR

Those who love to explore a city's built heritage and immerse themselves in tales and rituals from the past.

THINGS TO DO

Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, filled with fantastic historic attractions, from the iconic Edinburgh Castle to the volcanic plug of Arthur's Seat.

Autumn is a wonderful time to discover the capital's built heritage, too, with wanders around the streets of the Old and New Towns:

• Dean Village - get off the beaten track and discover the pretty Dean Village, a waterside settlement which wouldn't look out of place in a fairy tale
• Royal Botanic Garden - enjoy splendid colourful berries and reddish leaves amongst the plant life
• Scottish International Storytelling Festival - experience 12 days of storytelling. Oral traditions come to life with a variety of events held at great venues across the city, from castles to secret urban gardens
• Samhuinn Fire Festival - on 31 October, witness the red-hot spectacle of ancient Celtic ritual at the Samhuinn Fire Festival in the Old Town. As night falls, dazzling costumed performers dance against a backdrop of flaming props, playing out a story which tells the tale of the changing seasons

BEST FOR

Those who love to explore the great outdoors, get off the beaten track and see art and nature collide.

THINGS TO DO

With miles of luscious countryside, verdant forests and undulating coastline, Dumfries & Galloway has a natural landscape which inspires creativity.

Take in this region in autumn and visit some of its outdoor artworks.

• The Striding Arches by Andy Goldsworthy -  these site-specific arched sculptures of sandstone are located round Cairnhead are bound to make an impression. Situated in the open country and on hillsides, some of them require a fairly demanding walk and are perfect for keen ramblers, so pack a picnic and a flask of tea before you set off.
• Crawick Multiverse - landscaping and the cosmos are not something you would think come hand-in-hand, but Crawick Multiverse is a unique art land. Designed by Charles Jencks, it features striking stone sculptures and represents ideas around space, astronomy and cosmology.
• Rosnes Benches - from Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre in the Galloway Forest Park you can experience two of the Rosnes Benches. The vision of environmental artists Dalziel + Scullion, these installations encourage you to enjoy nature from a lesser-seen perspective.
• Quorum - another of the walks from Clatteringshaws Visitor Centre takes in Matt Baker's Quorum, a series of curious heads carved into granite and positioned on drystone walls.

Not all of the greatest works were created by man - while in the area, take the chance to see the universe's most remarkable tapestry and admire the wonders of the sky at night. Head to Galloway Forest Park, the UK's First Dark Sky Park, where you can see thousands of twinkling stars and constellations - even without the use of a telescope!

Get inspired by Galloway Forest Park

BEST FOR

Outdoor enthusiasts who love the idea of a peaceful island break and seeing one of nature's finest spectacles.

THINGS TO DO

One of the four Small Isles, diamond-shaped Rum lies off the southern end of Skye. It's a National Nature Reserve (NNR) and is home to some 900 red deer. In the autumn months, you can see - and hear - the stags as they rut during mating season. Watching the males lock antlers as they battle for the right to breed with the females is a tense, gripping sight for spectators to behold.

For keen walkers, the island offers some of the most incredible wild and rugged landscapes.

• Kilmory Bay walk - spot red deer in the north of the island as you follow the Kilmory Bay walk
• Rum Cuillin - seasoned climbers can traverse the Rum Cuillin, which involves a bit of scrambling and takes in two Corbetts and a Graham.

You could take in the island's track roads on two wheels and hire a bike. The cycle to Harris Bay passes by the Bullough mausoleum and the scattered remnants of abandoned farmhouses, and affords outstanding views up the vast Atlantic Corrie to the serrated Rum Cuillin ridge. Whether you walk or cycle, look out for charming Rum ponies and goats as you explore.

Before the end of October, tours of Kinloch Castle, a striking building of red sandstone and once-opulent interiors, are available. Built in the late 1800s, this grand Edwardian home was used as a hunting lodge and today stands as a fascinating place which time has forgotten.

Discover Kinloch Castle on their website

STAY

For those who like their home comforts, reserve a room at Ivy Cottage B&B, or book into the stunning new bunkhouse. At Kinloch Village Campsite, there are two basic camping cabins to hire, or stay at the gorgeous, fairytale-like BBQ bothy.

Find a place to stay on Rum

EATING OUT

The Isle of Rum Teashop offers a mouth-watering selection of goodies and freshly prepared soups, sandwiches and more. Tasty evening meals are available if booked in advance.

GETTING THERE

From the port of Mallaig in the west Highlands, there are several sailings to Rum and the other Small Isles throughout the week with Caledonian MacBrayne. To get to Mallaig, follow the Road to the Isles from Fort William, one of Scotland's most scenic driving routes.

Visit the CalMac website for more information

You could have an island hopping adventure and include a visit to Rum as part of trip to the nearby Isle of Skye, or explore more of the Small Isles.

Everything you need to know about visiting Rum