Autumn Looks Good From Here
From the banks of the River Dee to the forests, lochs and mountains of the Cairngorms, Royal Deeside is a wonderful place to explore in autumn.
The landscape takes on shades of gold, copper and russet; the rivers are full after the autumn rain and there are plenty of reasons to head outdoors – whether that means a walk through the woods, a scenic drive into the hills or simply stopping somewhere to take in the view.
Stay at Deeside Holiday Park and you’ll be perfectly placed to explore it all. Here are ten of our favourite things to do in and around Deeside this autumn.
1. Watch for Salmon at the Falls of Feugh
Just outside Banchory, the Falls of Feugh are worth a stop at any time of year, but autumn brings an added reason to visit.
Stand on the bridge above the rushing water and keep watching – you might be lucky enough to spot Atlantic salmon attempting to leap the falls as they make their way upstream.
September to November is one of the best periods for spotting salmon here, particularly when the river is running high after rain, although sightings are never guaranteed.
It’s an easy stop to combine with some time in Banchory or as the first stop on a longer drive through Royal Deeside.
2. Take a Drive to Loch Muick
For big landscapes and a real feeling of getting away from it all, take the road through Glen Muick to Loch Muick on the Balmoral Estate.
Around nine miles south of Ballater, the loch sits surrounded by mountains and open countryside, making the journey there almost as enjoyable as the destination itself.
Park up and simply enjoy the views, take a shorter wander along the lochside or, if you fancy stretching your legs, follow the circular route around the loch. The full circuit is around 12.5km and also passes Glas-allt Shiel, the lodge built for Queen Victoria.
On a crisp autumn day, it’s hard to beat.
3. Explore Crathes Castle – and Let the Kids Take the Wheel
Autumn colour, a castle and plenty to keep younger visitors entertained make Crathes Castle a great family day out.
Explore the estate and woodland surrounding the castle before letting the children burn off some energy at the Wild Wood adventure play area.
For 2026, there’s an added attraction. Children aged 6–12 can take the wheel of their own electric Mini Off-Roader, tackling a woodland course filled with small obstacles and off-road terrain. Sessions last 30 minutes and include entry to the Wild Wood playpark.
It’s a fun addition to a day exploring one of Deeside’s best-known castles – and one that might prove just as memorable as the castle itself for younger guests.
4. Walk or Cycle the Deeside Way
Sometimes a good autumn day out can start almost from your doorstep.
The Deeside Way runs for around 41 miles between Aberdeen and Ballater, following sections of the old Royal Deeside Railway through woodland, farmland and alongside the River Dee.
From Deeside Holiday Park, it’s easily accessible from nearby Peterculter, where you can join the route and choose how far you want to go.
Walk for an hour, pack a picnic and make a day of it, or bring the bikes and cover a little more ground. With Scots pine woodland and changing autumn colours along the way, you don’t need to complete all 41 miles to enjoy it.
5. Pick Your Perfect Pumpkin
An October break calls for pumpkins, and Westerton Farm makes a great family day out.
Their popular Pumpkin Madness returns in October, giving you the chance to head into the patch and choose your own pumpkin. There’s plenty more to keep children entertained too, including a bale maze, bale mountain and activities in the farm’s indoor barn.
For 2026, Pumpkin Madness is scheduled to run daily from 10–31 October.
Pick out the biggest, smallest or strangest-looking pumpkin you can find and take a little bit of your Deeside autumn break home with you.
6. Head Off-Road at Glen Tanar
See another side of Royal Deeside with a trip to Glen Tanar Estate, near Aboyne.
Set amongst ancient Caledonian pine forest, open moorland and mountain scenery, Glen Tanar is beautiful in autumn – and one of the best ways to explore further into the estate is on an Estate Safari.
Climb aboard a Land Rover and head along private hill tracks into parts of the estate you wouldn’t normally reach by car, learning more about its landscape, history and wildlife along the way.
With the autumn colours below and the hills of Deeside stretching into the distance, remember to bring your camera.
7. Take an Autumn Road Trip Through Royal Deeside
You don’t always need a destination. Sometimes the drive itself is the day out.
Follow the A93 west through Royal Deeside, starting with Banchory and continuing through Aboyne, Ballater and, if you have time, all the way to Braemar.
The road follows the Dee deeper into the countryside, with forests, estates and mountains lining the route. Banchory is regarded as the eastern gateway to Royal Deeside, with Ballater and Braemar sitting further west towards the heart of the Cairngorms.
Stop when somewhere catches your eye, have lunch in one of the villages, wander beside the river and simply enjoy the changing scenery.
Autumn road trips don’t need to be rushed.
8. Go Fishing on the River Dee
The River Dee isn’t just something to admire from the roadside. It’s also one of Scotland’s best-known salmon fishing rivers.
Flowing for around 81 miles through Royal Deeside and Aberdeenshire before reaching the sea at Aberdeen, its clear, fast-flowing pools attract anglers from around the world.
Whether you’re an experienced angler or would like to try salmon fly fishing for the first time, fishing experiences and visitor opportunities can be booked on the Dee. Permits and advance booking are generally required, so it’s worth making arrangements before your stay and checking the current rules for the stretch of river you plan to fish.
9. See What’s On at P&J Live
Not every autumn day has to involve walking boots.
Deeside Holiday Park is also well placed for a trip into Aberdeen, so it’s worth checking the programme at P&J Live at TECA when planning your break.
The autumn 2026 line-up includes everything from concerts and family entertainment to sporting events, with Westlife, Ministry of Sound Classical, Gladiators Live and the Rogue Invitational amongst the events already scheduled for September and October.
It’s a great option for an evening out – or for those days when the autumn weather makes an indoor plan particularly appealing.
10. Discover Burn O’Vat
Hidden within the Muir of Dinnet National Nature Reserve, Burn O’Vat is one of those places that feels as though it should be much harder to find.
A short woodland walk from the visitor centre leads to the Vat – a huge, bowl-shaped hollow carved into the rock by glacial meltwater thousands of years ago. Squeeze through the narrow opening between the rocks and suddenly you’re standing inside it, with the burn tumbling down into the cavern.
There’s plenty more to explore afterwards, with woodland trails and walks around nearby Loch Kinord if you want to make a longer day of it. NatureScot has four marked trails ranging from a short stroll to a half-day walk.
Surrounded by woodland and autumn colour, it’s a lovely place to round off our Deeside ten.
