Is there anything better for the soul than an autumn walk? There is – an autumn walk through a forest. There is something so incredibly uplifting walking through leaves, the aromas of the woodland, sweet wood burning fires spiralling smoky trails in the air.
By Tracy Mukherjee
Probably my favourite time of the year to be out and about, Autumn colours, towering trees, woodlands beckon us. Luckily, a drive out to one of gorgeous forests doesn’t have to be a day trip. With 6 national forest parks in Scotland and smaller forests and woods dotted all over the nation, Scots are spoiled for choice. That goes for accommodation too. There are so many beautiful cabins, cottages and hotels for you to rest your weary footsies and have a dram by a crackling fire, post walk. Why not make a trip of it on one of Westender Magazine’s 2024 Autumn Staycations?
North – Glenmore Forest Park
With ancient pines reaching up to the sky, Glenmore Forest beckons back to the ancient days of the Caledonian Forest. Sitting withing the Cairngorms national park, it’s not short on scenery. And your home whilst visiting? Consider Glen Tanar Luxury Cottages near Braemar. The cottages are situated within the stunning Glen Tanar Estate. It has seven cottages for you to choose from, sleeping from two to eight people. Victorian in design, the Glen Tanar cottages are all unique but designed reflecting the beauty of the outdoor landscape. Of note, why not consider Tower O’Ess, a beautifully converted gatehouse sitting right on the bubbling River Tanar? This is a super classy retreat to return to after a glorious walk through the ancient Scots Pine Forest. The Tower has an outdoor hot tub, double ended roll top bath, and sumptuous super king bed. It’s level-up accommodation – but you deserve it, don’t you?
insta:glentanar
South – Galloway Forest Park
Galloway Forest Park – not only a stunning place to wander during the day, but renowned world-wide as a Dark Sky destination. For the forest is an International Dark Sky Park, committed to controlling light pollution. When there is no cloud cover, over 7000 stars and planets can be seen with the naked eye.
Nestled in Glen Trool is the Dark Sky Retreat. The accommodation here comprises The Cabin under the Stars, the Mongolian Yurt and Riverbank Cottage. Both the yurt and cabin have wood fired hot tubs, wood burning stoves; the Yurt also has a secluded sauna and cold plunge pool with shower in its secluded spa garden. With breath-taking views of the forest and Galloway Hills, the Dark Sky Retreat is perfectly situated.
Owner Emma Astles says ‘The best thing about our accommodation is…total escapism; the cabin is set in its own 5-acre field, your only neighbours are our pet sheep and rescue chickens who you will pass on the walk up through the fields. The cabin is very cosy and offers little touches of luxury, whilst being totally secluded from the outside world. Our guests love the peace and privacy and the sense of getting back to nature, hot tubs under the stars and evenings around the log fire.’
‘The yurt also offers space and fabulous views, with guests being able to enjoy a spa experience and make use of the yurt’s own sauna, hot tub and cold plunge pool.’
Well done Emma and team. Off grid and truly back to nature. If you don’t relax here, where will you?
w:darkskyretreat.co.uk
East – Tweed Valley Forest Park
Known to many for the Glen Tress Mountain biking trails, the Borders park is also a perfect destination for autumn walks and outdoor activities. The stunning views over the Tweed Valley remind us that the rolling gentle beauty in the south of our country can be just as breathtaking as the rugged scenery of the north.
With the Victorian spa town of Peebles set on the River Tweed nestling on the edge of the forest, your accommodation here can only be the iconic Peebles Hydro Hotel. Historically, the town is known for hydropathic treatments back in the 1800s and the ‘Hydro’ was central to using the rich mineral waters of the Tweed. The hotel still boasts spa facilities – but they might not feature sulphur baths! Gym, tennis, swimming and spa facilities still reflect this grand hotel’s nod to their holistic past. And with feature bedrooms overlooking the Tweed Valley and restaurants boasting fine local Borders produce, you’ll certainly feel all the better for your stay.
w:peebleshydro.co.uk
West – Argyll Forest Park
Westender Magazine has been a big fan of this area for many a year. After featuring Pucks’s Glen and the Argyll Forest on more than one occasion, we’re heading a little further West in Argyll to the exquisite Glen Creran. This peaceful woodland really does feel enchanted. Oak and birch cling the the walls of Allt a M’huillin Gorge, there’s a pine marten train… oh, and a fairy bridge. Didn’t I say it was enchanted? Our bed for the night this time is in Port Appin. A coastal destination in an autumn walk’s feature? Yes, you really can have both! But 20 minutes’ drive away, is the picturesque Pierhouse Hotel. Sitting on the shore of Loch Linnhe, there’s loch views to the front, native woodland to the rear. As I said, best of both.
The 12-room hotel is the sister hotel to The Three Chimneys on Skye, so a delectable dinner awaits at the end of your outdoor autumn dawdles. The award-winning restaurant supports local fishermen, farmers and artisans. The bedrooms are tastefully decorated, and the loch views are breathtaking. A perfectly situated hotel for an autumn stay.
w:pierhousehotel.co.uk
insta:the_pierhouse_hotel
Central – Tay Forest Park
With some of the most famous viewpoints in Scotland, Tay Forest Park makes the walk through majestic woodlands even more enticing. For, at the end you might reach, for example Queen’s View, with the panorama of Loch Tummel and beyond well worth the slight climb. Sightly further south, my favourite woodland walk; The Hermitage near Dunkeld. Douglas Firs reach to the sky as you make your way to Black Linn Falls through Ossian’s Hall. Absolutely magical.
Travel north on the M9 to your accommodation Lettoch Cottages near Killiekrankie. The cottages are idyllic, with wood burning stoves, underfloor heating and breathtaking views across rural Perthshire. With three to choose from, Lettoch Cottages are a perfect base to explore the Tay Forest Park. Owner Steve Rawson says ‘We’re situated on a hillside between Pitlochry & Blair Atholl, so the views are spectacular. All the cottages have been individually renovated and designed by me, with sustainability and luxury in mind. We also run a rewilding project on our 17-acre site and many of our guests enjoy the surroundings just as much as the cottages, with a wildlife pond to enjoy as well as resident red squirrels. And perhaps most tellingly, more than 60% of our guests are what we call ‘returners’… having been to stay multiple times.’
w:lettochcottages.com
w:rewildinglettoch.com
Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs? we have not forgotten you. But being right on our doorstep, we’ve no excuse. So, get those walking boots on and out we go into the glorious autumn sunshine.
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