I love that we have seasons. They might be a little bit out of season these days, but we’re still lucky to see the changing landscape around us here in Scotland. I think of it as a natural magical changing land.
The once green leaves on the trees are showing us their true autumn colours. They fall off their branches and carpet our land in red, gold, brown and yellow.
The autumn colours where I live in Ayrshire are still finding themselves though … so many green leaves and fern are still lingering in the hope that they can stay a little longer. Don’t they know that winter is coming! It has been really mild weather, so possibly this is confusing nature a little.
At the beginning of October we drove up north to Perthshire for the day. I’d heard that Perthshire is a must see place, especially in autumn. This shire is also known as big tree country. Autumn wasn’t quite ready for us, so we returned at the end of October to capture its stunning magic. I’ll show you a mix of photos from both trips.
Watch a video of Perthshire
You can also have a wee look at a video I made of our visit to Perthshire. I hope you enjoy it along with my story and photos below.
The Hermitage
The Hermitage in Dunkeld is one of the oldest tourist attractions in Scotland. It has been a popular place to visit for over 200 years and was designed as a pleasure ground in the 18th century for the Dukes of Atholl.
This area is totally big tree country with Douglas Firs being some of the tallest in Britain. The woodlands are looked after by the National Trust for Scotland and it’s free to explore.
As soon as we arrived I don’t know how many times I said the word ‘wow’. I planned to practise with my camera using manual settings and a tripod. Every corner I turned I had to stop and take photos.
There are a variety of walks to choose from with longer walks being an option if you wish. This part of Perthshire has over 30 miles of trails to explore.
As I walked through the woodlands, surrounded by the tallest of trees, I felt like I was in an enchanted wood. It reminded me of childhood stories I read by Enid Blyton about the magic faraway tree.
Autumn at The Hermitage is a contrasting mix of greens, yellows, golds and browns.
As I wandered deeper into the woods it became even more beautiful.
I walked under this magnificent bridge and couldn’t believe there was yet more breathtaking beauty in front of my eyes. I took far too many photos, but you can see why! My husband took many photos too, so it was a joint effort.
As I approached the folly Ossian’s Hall, built in 1757, it looked like you couldn’t open the door at first.
Then I walked into the most amazing real life picture of the Black Linn Falls.
If I was living in Middle Earth I would have thought I’d found the Eleven Realm Rivendell. The powerful water was rushing down the River Braan very loudly.
There was going to be a wedding taking place here that day. I started to wonder if the couple would hear each other saying “I do” …
If you’re lucky you might even see salmon jumping up the falls. I did see one but didn’t catch it on camera.
I started to wonder who or what Ossian was? This year I’ve saw this name appear in a few places. There was Ossian’s cave at Glencoe, Ossian’s cave on the Isle of Arran, now Ossian’s cave at the Hermitage. There’s also Loch Ossian.
Dictionary.com has this definition:
“a legendary hero and poet and son of Finn, who is supposed to have lived during the 3rd century a.d., represented in Gaelic poems and in imitations of them written by James Macpherson in the 18th century”
Can you see anything unusual about this tree stump?
Look at all the coins wedged into the wood. So, money does grow on trees after all?
We followed the woodland path looking for Ossian’s cave next. Everywhere I turned the trees, fern, moss, water and rocks impressed me.
When we reached Ossian’s cave I got a bit of a fright. I peeked my head into the cave window at the back and someone was inside.
I walked round to the front of the cave and the sunlight was shining in, highlighting the back of the cave. Now, to me, the highlighted rock at the back looks like a face of a man with a beard, half closed eyes and smiling. Can you see it?
This artificial cave was built around 1785. It was added to enhance the visitor’s experience. The rocks in the photo below are known as Ossian’s Seat. They are perched on the banks of the River Braan. A large high seat with a view!
Rumbling bridge
We continued along the Braan Walk (green waymarkers) to the Rumbling Bridge.
These woods were definitely starting to look like Middle Earth … the trees have faces!
We eventually came out of the woods and into the open land. The trees and fern were slightly changing colour. I felt lucky we had this lovely day to explore, especially in October!
The Rumbling Bridge very was high. I felt dizzy looking down both sides of the bridge, but liked watching a little leaf floating down towards the water.
We found yet more beautiful woodlands near the Rumbling Bridge.
Killiecrankie
Our last stop was the breathtaking Killiecrankie woodland gorge to take some photos of the little green footbridge over the River Garry.
There’s a car park at the Garry road bridge then you have access to a beautiful river and woodland walks.
This area is known as the Linn of Tummel where the River Garry and River Tummel meet. There was a signpost under the bridge listing the following walks:
- Killiecrankie visitor centre (25 mins)
- Soldier’s Leap (5-10 mins from the visitor centre)
- Coronation Bridge (40 mins each way)
- Falls viewpoint (20 mins each way)
Sadly we didn’t have time to explore these walks but we did walk down to the green footbridge. That was an experience. There was a sign saying no more than 10 people at a time on the bridge. I was standing taking photos and four people walked past me, I could feel the bridge bounce. Beautiful though!
The Garry road bridge is a popular place to bungee jump or drop and swing. Bungee Jump Scotland is the place to visit if you fancy trying this. It’s a long drop down …
A group of people were dropping and swinging off the bridge and I recorded someone dropping:
It looked so scary but also fun, I think. Could this be a new peak challenge for me next year? I’m not sure if I could do it. Would you?
I loved it here, it was so calm and peaceful (after the screams of falling). It was mesmerizing sitting on the rocks and watching the golden leaves float down the river.
We had to leave though as it was a two hour drive back home again. You can also visit the Enchanted Forest in autumn. Faskally wood in Pitlochry is transformed into a magical experience of light and sound and well worth seeing. We’ve been twice before and loved it.
This post is a small snapshot of two day trips to this beautiful shire, there’s so much more see. Check out the Visit Perthshire website.
The heart of Scotland has totally captured my heart.
Thanks for reading.
Love, Dawn-Marie x
Love Exploring Scotland 
If you weren’t already fall in love with Scotland you would have to be after these pics. Really great!
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Thank you, I must admit I was in awe of Perthshire in autumn. A beautiful place, nature at its best 🙂
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Its great inspiration to fresh mind
http://khandokermdabdulmatin.wordpress.com
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Love outlander ! I have searched all the locations areas I know! Beautiful article, like always !
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Thank you 😃. Perthshire is very beautiful, especially in autumn! The Outlander filming locations are a great way to see more of Scotland. I’ve still many to visit!
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You are right … ihave discovered some … But i have not finished jet !!
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All of we like to enjoy life with autumn , so you write nice
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Thank you 😃
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Very nice blog!Thank you!Welcome fakanal01 Caffee.
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Thank you for the lovely comment 🙂
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Scotland is so beautiful! I’ve only visited Edinburgh, need to go back and explore more! Thank you for this post, very beautiful
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Thank you 🙂 I love seeing new places in Scotland, there’s a lifetime of exploring right here! I hope you visit again 🙂
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I miss Scotland so much. Thank you for our beautiful post and photos. It takes me back in memories and in my heart. A nostalgic missing piece but also joy. I want to return. My own blog with travel stories is http://www.awayinautumn.com and it was named after my trips to Scotland in Autumn, a beautiful season to visit. I look forward to following along with you.
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Thanks Debra 🙂 Autumn really is breathtaking! I love every season, and watching the changes around us. I was looking for a WordPress follow button on your blog but can’t see one to follow on here?
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I don’t have a WP follow button, just the subscribe by email if you want to to that. Right column at the top. 🙂
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Beautiful!
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Thank you so much, I loved visiting there 🙂
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Looking forward to more wonderful posts!! 😊
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Thank you, hoping next year I can share more of bonnie Scotland 💙
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the videos are amazing.
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Thank you! I’m still learning, so really pleased you like them 🙂
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wow. loved every bit of it. It was like a virtual tour for me of the place.
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Thank you! I’m so pleased that you felt it was a virtual tour. I’m still learning about video. Have a lovely Christmas! 🙂
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True
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Reblogged this on Crna svjetlost and commented:
I like your photos, nature of Scotland is vrey beutiful….
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Thank you for sharing! I’m so pleased you enjoyed my story and photos 🙂
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What a nice reflection of a wonderful day with no one around. I don’t know that I would be so bold.
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Thank you! It was actually busy with people though, I just had to wait patiently for my quiet photos 😃. There was some quieter spots too though 🍁
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I too loved the blog … my experience in Scotland brings back a hike over a hill dotted with sheep that was so warm and private I took my new, blue Scottish cashmere sweater off and finished the walk in just my bra! But I never got to see some of the beautiful walks your blog shows and describes.
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Thanks so much. Sounds like you had a great hike and it was a really warm day for a change! I’ve still so many places to see, my blog is a small snapshot. Here’s to exploring more next year though! 🙂
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Thanks for the mention! Happy 100 to you! 🙂
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Amazing post! I definetly want to visit Scotland as soon as possible 🤗 congrats!
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Thank you! I’ve been overwhelmed with all the lovely comments. I’m happy to share Scotland with you and hope you visit one day see with your own eyes 🙂
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Beautiful place which generates a special auro so peaceful so beautiful ❤️
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Thank you, it is beautiful and peaceful. It can get busy though, but there are plenty of wee quiet spots to sit and get lost in the moment 🍁
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Beautiful pictures! I hope to visit Scotland someday! 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 I’m so pleased you enoyed them. I hope you visit too, make it come true. Have a lovely weekend 🙂
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Such a cool post
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Thank you, I’m happy you like it 😃
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