Five Trust spots for autumn treats

Home to some of Scotland’s most spectacular countryside and gardens, the National Trust for Scotland is the perfect place to savour a Scottish autumn.

In this Year of Homecoming, we provide some of the top picks for places to really savour the season in which, some say, Robert Burns was at his most inspired and productive.

Priorwood Garden, Melrose

10 October

Apples and autumn go hand in hand, yet the varieties you see in the supermarket today reflect a tiny degree of their once common diversity. Priorwood Orchard, however, boasts more than 50 varieties of historic apples and pears. A selection from this year’s harvest will be on sale at the property on Saturday 10 October from 10.00 – 16.00, so visitors can taste apples as they once were. Admission to the sale is free.

Goatfell, Arran

11 October

The deer rut is an annual autumnal ritual for Arran’s red deer. Join the Trust’s expert rangers on Sunday 11 October for a walk up the mountain and hear the clacking of antlers echo around the mountainside. The walk is strenuous and that walking boots and waterproofs are essential.

Prices are £15 for adults, £8 for under 18s and £35 for a family ticket. Booking is essential. Contact 0844 493 2155.

Killiecrankie, Perthshire

13 October

The woods in autumn are full of all kinds of interesting things, from nuts and seeds, which are good to collect, to fallen leaves and fungi. Children can find out about all of these things and more on an activity walk in Killiecrankie, which will take place on Tuesday 13 October from 10.30 to 12.00. The walk is intended for families, with 5 to 12 year olds likely to get the most out of the event.

Prices are £1.00 for adults and £2.00 for children. All children must be accompanied by an adult.

Pass of Killiecrankie, Perth & Kinross. David Robertson 2003.

House of the Binns, Linlithgow

22 October

The House of the Binns stunning trees will inspire a special art event this autumn. On Thursday 22 October, visitors aged from 5 years old  will make artwork from natural materials, drawing on the beautiful autumn scenery that surrounds the House.

The event lasts from 10.30 to 12.00, with prices at £3.00 for adults and £2.00 for children. Booking is essential.  Contact 0844 493 2124.

Daily, throughout autumn

Although autumn is commonly thought of as a time where leaves and flowers begin to wilt away, it is when one of Scotland’s most famous plants – heather - is at its best. Threave Castle’s Heather Garden is beautiful at this time of year, with the heather displaying a wide range of hues.

Threave Castle is open until 31 October, with opening hours of 9:30 to 17:30 until the end of September and 9:30 to 16:30 during October. Prices are £4.20 for adults and £2.10 for children, with concessions at £3.20.

The National Trust for Scotland is one of Scotland’s leading conservation charities, which relies on the financial support of its members to fund its important work of caring for the natural and cultural heritage of Scotland for everyone to enjoy.

You can join the National Trust for Scotland for as little as £5 per month for a family. To become a member, visit http://www.nts.org.uk/Join/Benefits/.

For more information, please see: http://www.nts.org.uk/Home/

All information provided by the National Trust for Scotland.