November breaks in Scotland

November in Scotland brings the cool and crisp autumn air and the start of the vibrant Christmas festivities. There's plenty to get involved in during this time of year, from free museums and galleries and cosy cabin getaways, to celebrating Scotland's patron saint and trying a dram – or two – of our delectable Scotch malt whisky. Keep reading and find more things to enjoy in Scotland in November.

Celebrate Scotland's patron saint in St Andrews

Celebrating is something Scots do well, and if there is one day of the year where you'll hear a lot of noise from us, it's St Andrew's Day.

Scots and Scots-at-heart come together to celebrate the patron saint of Scotland and our national day with a holiday and fantastic events, highlighting the very best of Scottish culture. This important Scottish day of celebration falls on the 30 November, and you'll be able to enjoy a varied programme of events and festivals, featuring uniquely Scottish line-ups of music, dance, culture and more.

Aside from St Andrew’s Day, this coastal town has plenty of offerings waiting to be discovered. St Andrews is the ‘Home of Golf’ and is renowned for its golfing opportunities – a great place to start is the World Golf Museum. Immerse yourself in the interactive zones, explore the origins of golf, and how it has become the prestigious sport it is today. Head to St Andrews Botanic Garden for a wander through the serene 18-acre estate which boasts a rock garden, rhododendron glade, pond, pinetum and more. Don’t forget to stroll along the sandy shores of West Sands Beach and explore the quaint streets of the town too.

Explore more things to do in St Andrews

St Andrew's Day

Mark St Andrew’s Day in style with timeless Scottish traditions, laughter and lively ceilidhs, including The Big Hoolie in St Andrews itself.

St Andrews

Discover St Andrews, the world-famous Home of Golf, including holiday ideas, accommodation, travel and maps & fantastic things to see & do.

St Andrews in Fife

Uncover St Andrews' history, golf experiences, coastal setting and more.

St Andrews Links

Welcome to the Home of Golf.

Book an autumnal getaway in Aviemore

Autumn is the perfect season for cosy getaways, a stay in a log cabin, and slowing down your travels.

Aviemore is a popular town nestled in the Cairngorms National Park and offers up the perfect autumnal setting, with lochs, forest trails, towering Caledonian pine trees, log cabins complete with hot tubs, and serene surroundings. Immerse yourself in a wellness-themed weekend, with a woodland walk around Loch Morlich, Loch Inch, or the Rothiemurchus Estate and admire the changing colours of the trees and landscapes around you. To explore a little further, why not hire a bike and head along more routes and trails?

An Lochan Uaine (Green Loch)
© VisitScotland / Damian Shields

Enjoy an afternoon wandering around Aviemore, browsing local shops, or coorie up in a local café for a warming coffee and home baked cakes. Ryvoan Cafe sits just behind the main street and offers up a changing menu of seasonal dishes, Cairngorm Coffee and more. Route 7 Cafe is a hidden gem in Aviemore and features mouthwatering Scottish breakfasts and fluffy pancakes, as well as hot drinks and cakes to enjoy. Why not treat yourself to a pamper session at the Macdonald Aviemore Hotel spa with a hot stone massage?

Explore more things to do in Aviemore

Aviemore

Aviemore is surrounded by lush Highland scenery in the north west corner of the majestic Cairngorms National Park.

Cairngorms National Park

The Cairngorms National Park has more mountains, forests, rivers, lochs, wildlife, friendly villages and distilleries than you can possibly imagine.

Accommodation in Aviemore

Find a cosy place to stay in Aviemore.

Aviemore & The Cairngorms

The UK’s largest National Park, in the Scottish Highlands, offers masses of things to do including watersports, snowsports and wildlife watching.

Discover the starry skies in Galloway

Venture south to Galloway to explore the experiences on offer in the Galloway Forest Park.

View across Loch Ken towards the Galloway Forest Park

As the largest forest park in Britain, spanning across 300 square miles, it’s no wonder it's an ideal place to escape to for an outdoor getaway. With 16 forests in the park, you have hundreds of miles of trails and paths to explore on foot or by bike, all whilst being surrounded by breathtaking loch and mountain views.

Dark skies at Galloway Forest Park
© Andrew Allan

The Galloway Forest Park is also an International Dark Sky Park and is recognised as one of the best places in the UK to observe the twinkling night sky. With low levels of light pollution due to its remoteness, you can see over 7000 stars and planets that are visible in the sky on a clear night! If you’re not sure where to start on your stargazing adventure, there are Dark Sky Rangers in the park who run tours and events to teach people all about the night sky and how to properly stargaze.