9 Unmissable things to do in Scotland in October

The October nights grow longer, and the skies brighten with astronomical beauties, giving you the best chance to spot your favourite constellations! Check out the Galloway Forest Park in the south of Scotland. It was the UK’s first dark sky park and has some of the darkest skies in all of Europe. Or why not visit the Isle of Rum in the Inner Hebrides? It has just been named Scotland's first International Dark Sky Sanctuary — 2nd in Europe and one of only 20 in the world!

If you’re lucky and the conditions are favourable, you might catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights this October. This spectacular sight can be spotted from a variety of locations, including Orkney, Shetland, the Cairngorns, Aberdeenshire, and even as far south as Edinburgh and beyond. So why not camp out under the stars with friends or family and see if you can catch this amazing natural light display?

Did you know that 2025 is considered a great year for aurora-spotting? During solar maximum, which we are still experiencing this year, the frequency of solar storms increases, leading to a stronger peak of solar activity. Make sure you catch a glimpse of this phenomenal natural wonder — a memory that will last a lifetime!

As the days get shorter and the evenings cooler, Scotland’s lodges and cabins provide the ideal setting for a weekend getaway filled with cosy nights in. You can switch off, light a fire, toast some marshmallows, enjoy a glass of bubbly in a hot tub, and snuggle up with your favourite film in one of the beautiful places to stay on offer.

A weekend in Scotland is a truly relaxing escape from your daily routine and you can guarantee that you’ll return refreshed and rejuvenated. You could also combine your cosy nights in with a spot of stargazing or an autumnal walk to blow away the cobwebs.

See the leaves change to their beautiful autumn colours before drifting down to the ground, ready to be crunched underfoot. Scotland has some incredible forest walks for you to try.

Or why not head out to the coast and witness the raw power of nature as the waves crash in across the sands and up against our cliffs?

Head to Perthshire, known as Big Tree Country for plenty of forests and rivers, or book a trip to Aberdeenshire to admire castles surrounded by autumn hues.

October brings a whole host of wildlife for you to see. The echoing sound of the geese can be heard for miles, signalling the arrival of autumn. While taking a stroll along the coastline of Shetland you may be accompanied by several seal pups as they make their first movements along the shore. Further inland, striking red deer can also be spotted gallivanting among the trees and plains.

There is a wide variety of delicious in-season foods to try when visiting Scotland in October from sweet and juicy apples, pears and plums to fresh oysters. Celebrate Scotland's harvest by visiting pumpkin patches or farmers' markets that pop up across the country in October, offering everything from local produce to handmade goods.

Lamb is also at its most tender during the autumn months, making it perfect for a Sunday roast with friends and family.

October is, of course, the month of Halloween — and what better place to be spooked than Scotland, with its rich, haunting history!

Halloween events in 2025 include the Samhuinn Fire Festival at Calton Hill in Edinburgh and Paisley Halloween Festival, just west of Glasgow.

You can also join eerie tours across the country, from ghost walks in Edinburgh to chilling tours of haunted castles and ancient graveyards.

One of the joys of visiting in October is that you can enjoy a more relaxing, laid-back experience, with popular attractions being a bit quieter.

Slow down and take your time to really soak up the history and culture at a variety of attractions from Royal Yacht Britannia to Scone Palace. Or why not explore Scotland's Castle Trail or take the scenic train ride through the Highlands?

After a day of exploring, cozy up in a traditional pub with a pint of local ale or a dram of whisky.

For all the bookworms out there, there is a wealth of book festivals to get involved in, including Wigtown Book Festival, Portobello Book Festival, Scottish International Storytelling Festival and the Orkney Storytelling Festival.

Mòd An Òbain is also perfect for diving into Scottish and Gaelic culture, with a packed programme of events, music, Highland dance, drama, and more.