Autumn colour timing in Great Britain from past years

[Ken Rennie]

I live in Northern England at 54.9 degrees North. In Canada this is winter icebergs and polar bears but here thanks to the North Atlantic Drift snow is infrequent and temperature below 20F is thought to be very cold. The coldest temperature that I have experienced in Scotland -13F but that was exceptional.

Northern Scotland 57.2N
Glen Affric 14th October still some green trees on the right, the trees on the left are pines and larches

Blackwater River 16th October

Further South than this and the colours are much less developed
Perthshire 56.7N Castle Menzies 15th October colours ok but still lots of green

Perthshire 56.7N 28th October yes people go for a dawn dip in a cold Scottish loch. I was wearing a down jacket and lined trousers and wasn't overly warm.

Castle Menzies 28th October

Cumbria 54.9N
River Derwent Borrowdale 25th October, nice colours but half of the hillside hasn't changed.

Borrowdale 30th October

Borrowdale 1st November still lots of Green

and on the same day 1/2 mile away

Lastly my local woods 12th November

We are off to Perthshire on Thursday, unfortunately we will have had three recent 80mph+ storms so the leaves may well be gone when we get there, always another year.
Ken

 

[Michael13]

I really like that Blackwater River waterfall shot!

 

[AlanLichty]

Gorgeous scenes up there. I really like the fall colors in all of these scenes and agree with Michael on the Blackwater River shot. I like the reflections in the Lochs and the last shot with the carpet of leaves along the path.

 

[Peter Michal]

Ken, beautiful photos and the scenery of Glen Affric and the Blackwater River is gorgeous!
Peter

 

[Jameel Hyder]

Lovely fall scenery.

 

[JimFox]

So beautiful! Thanks for all of those locations and dates. I do hope the wind hasn't stripped the trees bare of leaves before you get there.

 

[Al Trujillo]

Gosh, these are beautiful! So your thread is quite timely as my wife and I would like to visit Scotland in October of 2028. I understand there is a fall holiday around this time and lodging can be difficult. Could you share anything you know about this?

 

[Ken Rennie]

Gosh, these are beautiful! So your thread is quite timely as my wife and I would like to visit Scotland in October of 2028. I understand there is a fall holiday around this time and lodging can be difficult. Could you share anything you know about this?

OK Al
The October Holiday is a school holiday and usually lasts a week, although in rural areas it can be 2 weeks. Accommodation shouldn't be difficult during this time as October in Scotland doesn't attract lots of visitors. It is nothing like Thanksgiving, roads will be much the same although in towns and cities the lack of a school run will make the roads much quieter. Exact dates for the holidays are easy to find: "School dates Edinburgh" or "School holidays Glasgow" will find you the info. Looking up "School term dates Perthshire" I see that the October holiday is Mon 9th to Fr 20th Oct 2028. Perthshire is a rural area with lots of farming, the alternative name for this holiday is "Tottie (or Tattie) week. School children used to pick potatoes and although this doesn't happen any more rural areas still have longer holidays. Edinburgh holiday Mon 16th to Fri 20th October 2028. I wouldn't let the school holidays change my plans unless you are intending visiting the Outer Islands by ferry as they may be booked up. The other area that may be tight for accommodation is around the North Coast 500, a scenic 500 mile driving route around the far North coast of Scotland, accommodation is in short supply along this route throughout the year. With a couple of weeks notice it should be possible to find accommodation anywhere. The cost does rise during busy periods but only because the cheaper places get booked first. Unfortunately Scotland is not a cheap place for accommodation, at the present time it is upwards of approx $130 a night for 2 people, Spain would be $80. If you want anymore info just message me and enjoy your trip. Ken