Things to do in Scotland in November

The days are short and the temperature drops, but if you wrap up warm there are some unique things to do in Scotland in November. Consider taking a trip to one of the islands of the Inner Hebrides  to experience authentic island life without the tourists. They all have something different to offer visitors. Islay is a good choice for whisky enthusiasts; Mull for walking and wildlife or Coll for its dark skies and stargazing. Shorter days mean longer nights so take a tour around Dumfries and Galloway where you can visit the Dark Sky Park and see the constellations of the Northern Hemisphere. Or head north to maximise your chances of seing the Northern Lights.

Things to do in Scotland in November

This community festival gets bigger and better each year. This year it runs from 13th November to 20th December 2026, bringing festive lights, music, food, and crafts to the coastal town of Oban. 

The celebrations begin with an Opening Parade and Creel Tree Switch On at 5pm on 13th November.

 Visit the Winter Woods in Glencruitten Woods, where this year’s Alice in Wonderland theme brings illuminated paths, characters, and community-made sculptures to life among the trees. Visit on 13th–15th or 20th–22nd November. There will be hot food, drinks and toasted marshmallows to enjoy along the way.

Food and craft markets take place on 14th, 21st and 28th November at Corran Halls, the Rockfield Centre and the Perle Oban Hotel, offering plenty of opportunities to pick up handmade Christmas gifts and sample local produce. 

Don’t miss Haggisfest on Sunday 29th November, when haggis makers compete for the Golden Haggis Award, and visitors can taste the entries and vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Award. 

The festival culminates in a concert at Corran Halls on 20th December, featuring Scottish and Gaelic musicians including Aly Bain, Karine Polwart and Donald Shaw, alongside the Oban High School Pipe Band. Find the programme and booking details on The Oban Winter Festival website.

Dundee Mountain Film Festival

Dundee Mountain Film Festival runs from 20th–22nd November 2026, featuring films, talks, and exhibitions about mountains and outdoor adventure. Hear from expert speakers and watch award-winning films covering climbing, skiing and expeditions around the world. The main programme runs on Friday and Saturday at Abertay University, followed by a screening of Everest Dream and a Q&A at Dundee Contemporary Arts on Sunday evening. Find the programme and tickets on the Dundee Mountain Film Festival website.

Go Foraging in the Forest

Autumn is mushroom season so a perfect time to learn about foraging for wild food whilst spending time in nature. If you are not confident about your skills, join a workshop or book a private class with one of Scotland’s experts. Mark Galloway of Galloway Wild Foods runs private foraging sessions between November and March. Group sessions and workshops begin again in March. For foraging classes and events in other parts of Scotland take a look at this  directory of foraging experts in Scotland. 

Stargazing & Dark Skies Events

Things to do in Scotland in November stargazing Coll

With the nights becoming longer, November is a good time for some serious stargazing. Discovery sites are easily accessible sites, without light pollution, where you can park up and enjoy the celestial display from the comfort of your own camper. Head north or to the less populated islands, such as Coll, to try and catch a sighting of the Northern Lights.

Tomintoul & Glenlivet, in the Cairngorms National Park, have recently been awarded Dark Sky Park status. The Cairngorm’s wide open spaces and large expanses of dark skies, make it a great destination for some night sky gazing. The park hosts multiple Dark Skies Discovery Sites. The Howe of Torbeg runs stargazing events  throughout the winter near Ballater, in the Cairngorms.

Take a stargazing tour with astronomer Stephen Mackintosh of Highland Astronomy. Stephen is a freelance astronomer, night sky photographer and educator based in the Highlands of Scotland. Small group tours of 1-4 leave from Inverness for a flat fee of £140.

best place to see northern lights scotland

You can find a list of all the Dark Skies Discovery Sites, stargazing tips and news of stargazing events at Visit Scotland. There have been lots of sightings of the Northern Lights in Scotland over the last couple of years. The best time to have a chance to see them is between October and December when the nights are at their longest. Scotland is the best place to see the Northern Lights in the UK – head as far north as possible and away from settlements so you are free from light pollution.

Winter Wildlife Watching

Winter is a brilliant time to see wildlife in Scotland. November to December is pupping season for grey seals so you’ll get close up views of seals as they come in to have their pups. It’s also the season for deer rutting. Choose your location and you may get to see these magnificent beasts lock antlers as they fight over the hinds. Even if you don’t see them, you’ll be able to hear their roars echo around the mountains.

Grey seal at Ullapool, Scotland

Enjoy the best of Scottish produce

November is the perfect time to sample the best that Scotland’s larder has to offer. Choose a pub or restaurant serving seasonal Autumn food and you will feast on shellfish, game and venison. Here are some of our favourites where you will find good Scottish food, a warm welcome and a cosy open fire. 

Loch Lomond Arms Luss Scotland in November
Seasonal produce at the Taybank in Scotland

The Loch Lomond Arms is an old coaching inn on the banks of Loch Lomond serving Scottish produce from the Luss Estate. You can camp at at nearby Luss campsite all year round or park up right on the banks of Loch Lomond in one of the designated camper spots. The Taybank is a stylish pub/restaurant with rooms on the banks of the River Tay in historic Dunkeld. The restaurant uses responsibly sourced, local produce, including vegetables from the pub’s own kitchen garden. There is live music throughout the year in the bar which serves food and more formal dining in the restaurant overlooking the river. The Bridge Inn at Ratho, within striking distance of Edinburgh, serves a menu of pub favourites using seasonal Scottish produce 6 days a week. There are traditional roasts on a Sunday. There are vegetarian and gluten-free options and even a doggie menu in this dog friendly pub. The inn is right on the canal so perfect for a stroll to work up an appetite first.

Bridge Inn Ratho Scotland

Visit Edinburgh

Christmas comes early to Edinburgh. Take a trip to Edinburgh in November and alongside the usual attractions that it has to offer, you will find lots of festive things to do. Christmas at the Botanics is open on selected evenings from the 19th November to 30th December. Booking is essential for this magical after-dark trail through the Royal Botanic Gardens, illuminated by botanically themed light installations. Street food vendors (and Santa) can be found along the way.

The Edinburgh Christmas market and fair opens on 14th November this year and runs until 3rd January. There is a huge Christmas market with hundreds of festive food, drink, craft and gift stalls, an outdoor ice rink, funfair and Santa Land (including a Christmas tree maze).

Visit Edinburgh Zoo after dark to see its Giant Lanterns. This winter’s trail has a space safari theme, with illuminated galaxies and giant creatures as you walk around the grounds. It runs on selected evenings from 13th November 2026 to 21st February 2027. The trail opens from 4.45pm, with last entry at 8pm, closing at 9pm. Tickets start from £14, or you can book a Day and Light ticket to spend the day with the animals before seeing the lanterns. There is also an adults-only evening and two quiet evenings. Dates and tickets are on the Edinburgh Zoo website.
Edinburgh Christmas market opens in November
Edinburgh Christmas market Scotland

Christmas Shopping Fair Fri 27th Nov – Sun 29th November

Get your Christmas shopping done in style at this festive shopping fair held in the grand setting of Hopetoun House in South Queensferry. Offering a selection of artisan gifts, crafts, and gourmet food stalls. Advance ticket holders only – no tickets available on the day. Free Parking.

November 30th is St. Andrews Day, Scotland’s national day. Celebrate St Andrew’s Day with an evening of live music, dancing and fireworks on Saturday 28th November 2026. The Big Hoolie starts at 5 pm at the West Port, featuring performances by Covergirl, The Other Guys, DJ Vanessa Motion, and The Accidentals. At 7 pm, join the outdoor ceilidh on South Street, where the Kilrymont Ceilidh Band will provide the music for 45 minutes of Scottish dancing. Then follow the Madras Pipe Band in a torchlight procession to West Sands beach, leaving South Street at 8 pm. The evening ends with fireworks over the beach as the procession arrives. If you are heading straight to West Sands, get there by 8.15 pm. BID St Andrews Facebook page has all the details.

St Andrews Day celebrations at Edinburgh Castle

Big Sky Campers Campervans for Hire

Scotland

All our campervans for hire come fully equipped with everything you will need for your visit to Scotland in November. Our campervans are fully heated and insulated and we will provide you with extra blankets if needed. Everything is included in the price, including extra sets of bedding if requested. 

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