MOST BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY IN AUTUMN

Scotland is especially magical in autumn -- not just because its magnificent landscapes turn spectacular colors as the leaves change, but also because the angle of the sun at these northern latitudes yield gorgeous golden light as the days shorten heading into winter.

The scenery is nothing short of stunning. The red, orange, yellow, russet and ochre deciduous leaves stand out against ancient pine forests as well as ancient castles and neolithic monuments. You’ll want to put Scotland on your autumn travel bucket list.

It’s best to view Scotland in early autumn, before the gales whip the leaves off the trees and frost sets in. It’s also a special time for Scotland’s native red deer, as it is rutting season! Hear the stags bellow and clash as they challenge each other for dominance in the colored forests.

From the dense forests, such as the Trossachs and Galloway, to the coastlines, from stately botanic gardens to open moors, autumn paints the most magnificent pictures here. It’s no wonder Scotland was recently voted as the Most Beautiful Country in the World!

Check out the best and most beautiful of Scotland’s autumn landscapes below.

Perthshire, just north of Edinburgh is one of the best places for autumn leaf peeping.  The valley of the River Earn, between Crieff and the charming town of Comrie will supply lots of eye candy, as will Dunkeld, on the River Tay, and Blairgowrie.

The Enchanted Forest, an annual autumn festival held Pitlochry, in Perthshire, during the month of October, is a fabulous sound and light show, that makes even more of a spectacle of autumn’s show.

The valley of the River Dee is filled with birch, which turn yellow in autumn. There, you’ll marvel at the Royal Deeside and its surrounding autumn-clad hills and mountains, including Braemar, Ballater, and Cairn o' Mount, each offering staggering views.

The river woodland along the River Spey, on the way to Craigellachie and Upper Strathearn

are glorious sights to behold. You can warm your insides as you go since here you are in one of the best Scotch Whiskey areas.

At Laggan Hill you’ll find benches engraved with beautiful poems -- odes to the beauty of the surrounding landscapes.

Gaze out across the tranquil waters of Loch Trool. Take a gorgeous walk along the Glentrool Trail around the loch. End your day in the Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, one of the best spots in the UK for stargazing.

The Mar Lodge Estate near the Linn and River Dee woodland boasts a mature stand of Scots pine and Douglas firs.

Walk from Elliot in Arbroath across the moors, through multicolored woodlands along the line of the old Carmyllie Light Railway, to the tiny hamlet of Arbirlot, where you’ll find the sweet  semi-circular Arbirlot Bridge and the magnificent Arbirlot Falls.

Take a short walk from the Queen's View into Allean Forest, then hike the Clachan Trail through the colorful woods to a ruined farming settlement. Or take the historic Ring Fort Trail to a ruined Pict ring fort, to see thick stands of larch and pine.

Check out the Forestry Commission's Tree Name Trail can help you identify the trees and leaves you see. Take lots of photos and share them with the BeautifulNow Community!

So start planning your own fairy tale autumn adventure.

Read more about Beautiful Scotland in A Most Beautiful Train Ride Across a Most Beautiful Scotland, Bag a Beautiful Munro! Here’s How!, Outer Hebrides: Scotland’s Wild, Pristine. Prehistoric Bucket List Must and Time Travel Paradise: Orkney.

And check out more beautiful things happening now in BN Mind/Body, Soul/Impact, Nature/Science, Food/Drink, Arts/Design, and Place/Time, Daily Fix posts.

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IMAGE CREDITS:

1. Image: by Martha de Jong-Lantink. “The Royal Scotsman.” Ballindalloch, Scotland.
2. Image: by Seth M. “Autumn.” Callander, Scotland.
3. Image: by LadyArctica. “Waterfall.” Pitlochry, Scotland.
4. Image: by John Mcsporran. “Chon Ablaze.” Trossachs, Scotland.
5. Image: by John Brown. “Strathearn Autumn.” Strathearn, Scotland.
6. Image: by Bob the Lomond. “Creinch in Loch Lomond.” Loch Lomond, Scotland.
7. Image: by Neil H. “Loch Trool.” Loch Trool, Scotland.
8. Image: by FraserElliot. “Mar Lodge drive.” Mar Lodge Estate. Aberdeenshire, Scotland.
9. Image: by David Robson. “Loch Tummel.” Loch Tummel, Scotland.
10. Image: by James Johnstone. “Carstramon House.” Anwoth, Scotland.
11. Image: by Gerry Zambonini. “EOS M Dumfries.” Crichton Memorial Church. Dumfries, Scotland.
12. Image: by Stuart Gordon. “Loch Voil.” Balquhidder, Scotland.
13. Image: by John Mcsporran. “Autumn Tranquility.” Loch Chon in the Trossachs. Scotland.
14. Image: by BN App - Download now!
15. Image: by Roddy. Perthshire, Scotland.