With schools going back, and the busy staycation crowds of the Summer dissipating, September & October are exceptional months to explore Scotland.

As they say, a change is as good as a rest and sometimes all you need is to get away for a day or a weekend. I’ve put together my findings from the past few years living in Glasgow and Edinburgh, of the best places to get away from it all, within easy access of Scotland’s major cities.

Glencoe

How Far? 2 Hours from Glasgow / Under 3 hours from Edinburgh*

Not many sights can top the dramatic, sweeping curves of Glen Coe as you drive through the valley. Pop a Scottish playlist on and I dare you not to shed a tear!

Stop at the revamped visitor’s centre for all the history, from local mountaineering to the tragic massacre of Clan MacDonald and the fascinating geology of this ancient region. Rugged Paddle Board offer magical tours and experiences out on Loch Leven (my brother once kayaked here for hours with a family of curious seals following him).

Just outside Ballachulish village you’ll find Glencoe Lochan, surrounded by tall woods, with a mountain backdrop. The trails wind through a landscape planted with North American trees by Lord Strathcona in the 1890s – which he hoped would comfort his homesick Canadian wife.

Described as the greatest train journey in the world, The Jacobite runs from Fort William to Mallaig along the “West Highland Line” (of Hogwarts Express fame).

A little further up, through Ballachulish and past Fort William lies the Nevis Range - home to Ben Nevis (the tallest mountain on the British isles). As we’re going for efficient simplicity here, take the mountain gondola for sweeping views and a taste of the landscape without the climb.

Want to Spend the Night? Visit the Best Campsite in the World - Invercoe on the banks of Loch Leven. Owned by the Brown family for multiple generations - tell them I sent you!

*To do this in a day is quite full on, with an early start and a late finish but SO worth it if you don’t have longer to play with! We tried and tested it from Glasgow so with an extra hour of driving, Edinburgh might be a bit much. To make the most of all the area’s activities, you’ll definitely need a couple of days to play with.

Loch Lomond

How Far? 45 mins from Glasgow / Under 2 hours from Edinburgh

Magnificent Loch Lomond is ringed by dramatic hills including Ben Lomond on the eastern shore and is an incredibly beautiful part of the country. The Highland Boundary fault cleaves a line through the landscape, visibly separating the rolling greenery of the lowlands and the craggy drama of the Highlands.

For the best vantage point, get out on the water via boat tour with Sweeney’s Cruise Co or go paddle boarding with Portnellan Farm or Loch Lomond Wakeboard. Get Knotted Cruises organise unusual Hen or Stag parties, with day or weekend itineraries including a pub crawl by speedboat.

Glengoyne Whisky Distillery is a short drive away and their tours are a warm, friendly introduction to whisky making. If you can’t make it to them for a dram, they’ll send a tasting kit to you, via their new online tasting experience. 4x4 Offroad Driving Adventures take passengers on an exhilarating tour of the hilltops over challenging terrain and for something really special on a clear day, Loch Lomond Sea Planes offer magnificent 30 minute discovery flights over the Scottish Highlands and Islands.

Want to Spend the Night? Monachyl Mhor is a spectacular boutique lochside hotel at the foot of the mountains, with an award-winning restaurant. The Loch Lomond Arms in Luss is a luxurious coaching house in an ideal location on the edge of the village.

I’ve heard fantastic things about the luxurious Lochvenachar Cabins and Dreamcatcher Cabins also look completely magical, with outdoor bathtubs in the middle of the woods.

North Berwick, East Lothian

How Far? 50 mins from Edinburgh by car (or 30 mins from Waverley by train) / 1 hour 30 from Glasgow

Frequently topping “best places to live in the Uk” lists, North Berwick epitomises seaside escapism. This pretty town on the Firth of Forth has one of the most thriving, creative high streets in Scotland and the stunning coastal surroundings of East Lothian, all a stone’s throw from Edinburgh.

If you only do one thing - get coffee at Steampunk. This ethical coffee roaster does amazing things, with a thoughtful focus on quality, sustainability and building community. They are the beating heart of North Berwick and I love everything about them.

Climb to the top of the Law for sweeping views across the waters to Fife with the Edinburgh skyline in the distance. Some of the best local beaches include Yellowcraig, Gullane, North Berwick Beach and Seacliff Beach (pick up an UNCO Campfire at Steampunk to keep you cosy).

SULA Boat Trips take visitors out into the Firth of Forth for close up views of the Bass Rock - said to have inspired Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Tantallan Castle is a craggy, atmospheric ruin on the clifftop overlooking North Berwick (followed by coffee and cake at container ship DRIFT). Ocean Vertical organise outdoorsy adventures in the local area and GoSup in the harbour lead paddle boarding excursions, if you’re feeling brave.

Some of my favourite independent shops on the high street include coastal-inspired interiors brand Time & Tide, and scandi-design-lovers’-paradise Nørden. Award winning Bostock Bakery is also unmissable.

I recommend fish & chips from The Rocketeer or The Lobster Shack in the harbour followed by ice cream at award winning Alandas. Herringbone on the High Street is also fantastic.

Want to Spend the Night? Stay at The Bonnie Badger, a restaurant with rooms by chef Tom Kitchin two villages away in Gullane. For something more hidden, try The Secret Cabin at Seacliffe Beach.

Perthshire

How Far? About 1 hour from Glasgow or Edinburgh

Perthshire is the luscious heart of the central belt, with endless countryside and picturesque villages to explore.

Walk through the valley from the Tormaukin inn, past Castle Campbell for lunch in Dollar at Bridge Street Kitchen. Mediterranean Birnam Brasserie at Gleneagles also makes an impressive lunch spot for celebrating something joyful.

The National Wallace Monument was opened in 1869 (the Victorians loved a monument) to commemorate and celebrate the life of Sir William Wallace (of Braveheart fame). It’s a little claustrophobic but full of fascinating history, with beautiful views over Stirling.

Scotland’s oldest working distillery Glenturret in Creiff offer wonderful distillery tours (they were recently bought over by Lalique, who have relaunched the brand with appropriately stunning bottles). The distillery is also the starting point for a fantastic 9km hiking circuit - Lady Mary’s Walk at Laggan Hill (maybe leave the Whisky tasting until after). I don’t recommend the walk in wet conditions, as the path gets very boggy and you may, nay will slide backwards into a field of cows.

Nick’s in Bridge of Allan (by chef Nick Nairn) is one of our favourite places for lunch or dinner with friends in the area and Sheray Punjab in Auchterarder do the BEST Indian takeaway (trust me). The American Bar at Gleneagles is like stepping back in time, with an elegant dress code and a table-side cocktail trolley for added drama.

Want to Spend the Night? Gleneagles Hotel is hands down the most special hotel in all of Scotland. Currently owned by the Hoxton Group, immense care and attention to detail has gone into an impressive refurb returning the hotel to its period roots. Ballintaggart is a wholesome, countryside retreat with rooms and a cookery school.

Where are some of your favourite places to visit in Scotland? I’d love to know xoxo