Autumn wildlife

A red squirrel sits on the woodland floor, its fluffy tail curled behind it. The sun shines through the squirrel's fur, making it almost glow against the rust-coloured leaves on the floor.

Red squirrel at Threave

Autumn is officially upon us. Crispy leaves are crunching underfoot, landscapes are ablaze with fiery hues, and Scotland’s wildlife is busily preparing for winter.

With the nights getting darker and the days chillier, now’s the perfect time to head outdoors to catch sight of some of Scotland’s most iconic creatures, big and small, at National Trust for Scotland places.

Grey seals

Where: St Abb’s Head NNR, Kintail and Culzean Country Park

When the tide is low, visitors can spot white-coated pups and their parents snoozing on the secluded beaches of Staffa – where they spend their days warming themselves in the autumnal sun and learning to swim in the island’s sheltered pools. St Abb’s Head NNR and Kintail are other ideal sites for seal spotting. As is Culzean Country Park, where one bob of seals has claimed Port Carrick beach as their home.

Adult seals come ashore to rest, raise their young and to escape predators, so if you’re lucky enough to lay eyes on them, always follow the Marine Wildlife Watching Code. Small intrusions, such as getting too close, can have fatal consequences for young pups, so please always behave respectfully.

Also at: Inverewe, Staffa and Iona

Two grey seals lie on a grey, stony beach. The large seal rests his flipper on the side of the other seal.

Grey seals | Image: Laurie Campbell

Red squirrels

Where: Threave Garden & Estate and Killiecrankie

These often shy creatures go into overdrive during autumn. Not only are they busy building their nests (called dreys), red squirrels spend a lot of their time on the ground gathering food to see them through the winter months – making it more likely you’ll catch a glimpse of them at many Trust places.

Look out for these tufty-eared critters around the observation areas of Threave Garden and Estate, where you can learn more about their habitats, behaviours and the important conservation work the Trust is carrying out to safeguard Scotland’s red squirrel population.

And if you’re heading on an adventure to Killiecrankie, keep your eyes peeled around the property’s red squirrel feeding station and on the pathway leading to the striking green footbridge.

Also at: Ben Lomond, Brodie Castle, Brodick Country Park, the Hermitage, Haddo House and House of Dun

A red squirrel perches on a mossy branch and nibbles at a nut held in its front paws. Its long fluffy tail is held right up against its back.

Red squirrel enjoying the fruits of autumn

Sea eagles

Where: Inverewe and Shieldaig Island

The sea eagle has a wingspan of 2.5 metres and stands a metre tall, making it the UK’s largest bird of prey and the world’s fourth largest eagle.

The bird hide at Inverewe provides an unparalleled vantage point over Loch Ewe, making it perfect for spotting sea eagles. When eagle-watching, look out for their pale heads, white, wedge-shaped tails and rectangular wings as they hunt for fish, rabbits and seabirds.

Hunted to extinction in the UK by 1918, sea eagles were reintroduced to Scotland in the 1970s and breeding pairs can now be found on Shieldaig Island in Wester Ross. Covered in Scots pine, the island is a haven for these magnificent birds, which use the trees as nesting platforms. Why not take a boat trip to Shieldaig Island to see these winged wonders up close?

Also at: Balmacara Estate and Fair Isle

A close-up view of a large eagle, swooping over water to land. Its wings are spread wide and its yellow talons are clutched beneath it.

White-tailed eagle | Image: Laurie Campbell

Red deer

Where: Mar Lodge Estate, Glencoe and Torridon

Autumn signals the beginning of one of Scotland’s most famous wildlife events: the red deer rut. During the mating season, stags roar to display dominance over one another – and often lock antlers in fierce battles – to win their rights to mate with a harem of hinds.

Take an autumn trip to Mar Lodge Estate and you might just set eyes on red deer mid-duel or hear their roaring and clashing of antlers echoing across the dramatic landscape. The evocative mountains of Torridon and Glencoe are also prime locations to see the UK’s largest land mammal in action. Remember to always keep a safe distance from any red deer so as not to disturb them.

Looking for a close encounter? Pay a visit to Torridon’s Deer Enclosure to see the monarch of the glen strike a mighty pose.

Also at: Ben Lawers, Goatfell and Falls of Glomach

A red deer stag stands in long grass, bellowing.

A stag in autumn

Minke whales and basking sharks

Where: Mull, Iona and St Kilda

These magnificent marine creatures regularly frequent the waters of Mull and Iona. And with autumn in full swing you may manage to spy basking sharks during their southerly migration to the sub-tropics to escape the cold Scottish winter.

Minke whales and basking sharks can also be spotted swimming near St Kilda, the UK’s only dual UNESCO World Heritage Site. Recent underwater footage of a young basking shark taken by Craig Nisbet, a seabird and marine ranger with the Trust, made waves on social media channels.

Researchers emphasised how rare this footage of a young basking shark is and suggested that the sighting of youngsters in St Kilda’s waters reinforces the theory that the Western Isles are an important breeding and pupping area for basking sharks internationally.

Also at: Balmacara Estate and Mingulay, Berneray & Pabbay