Autumn on Luing

Despite the obvious elemental challenges that come with visiting Scotland in Autumn, for the more intrepid explorer, there’s a lot to see at this time of year.

Sure enough, the summer is over…and Scotland is making sure we know it. As the seasons change, the landscape begins its metamorphosis. The emerald hillsides transmute into shades of russet, violet, and olive as the bracken dies back and the weather becomes even more unpredictable than usual. Soon the hanging beards of lichen that adorn every tree branch will be revealed as the final leaves fall away.

I’ve been enjoying watching the enormous waves crash onto the rocks beyond Cullipool village, and waiting patiently for rainbow season. What's rainbow season, I hear you ask? Well, on days like today (intermittently spitting and sunny, sometimes at the same time), you get the most incredible (often double) rainbows over the sea and the island, with the entire arch visible and each end disappearing into the foaming sea. 

Another advantage to the autumn season is that, as conditions worsen out at sea, the gannets (the UK's largest seabird, with a 6-foot wingspan!) are driven closer to shore to fish. If you’ve ever seen gannets diving, you know it’s quite the spectacle. Hurling themselves into the water at speeds of up to 60 MPH, we love to see these beautiful seabirds around Luing’s coast. And finally, Autumn  is prime time for baby Grey Seals! These little white fluffballs are appearing on rocks all around Luing as, unlike the common seals, they’re born in the Autumn/Winter.

So, there’s plenty to love about Autumn in Scotland - you just have to be brave enough to find out!

Tìoraidh,

Lottie