November breaks in Scotland

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.

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?

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?

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

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 7,000 stars and planets 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.