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We have officially reached one of my favourite bits of the year. The midway stage of October when, if you’re out and about close to 7.30am, chances are you’ll catch the sun popping its head over the horizon soon afterwards.
On crisp and clear mornings, the sky lights up in eye-catching fashion. A spellbinding canvas daubed with pastel hues of lavender and blush pink, followed by streaks of fiery orange.
It is a balm for the soul, which not only makes me want to head off on an adventure but also helps to stave off the inclination to bed rot and doomscroll on the internet (which can become a perilous default as the days shorten).
If you’re similarly seeking inspiration, here’s my pick of five magical autumn walks around Scotland easily reached by train.
Gore Glen, Gorebridge, Midlothian
Part of the Borders Railway that runs between Edinburgh and Tweedbank, Gorebridge has much to enthral aficionados of history and wildlife. From the train station, it is a pleasant one-mile (1.6km) amble each-way to Gore Glen.
The Midlothian village grew up around Scotland’s first large-scale, industrial gunpowder factory during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Today, the trails of Gore Glen – nicknamed “Gunpowder Glen” – offer a tranquil haven, perfect for a mood-boosting meander.
The foliage always looks splendid as the season progresses. Keep your eyes peeled for alder – a key ingredient in gunpowder production and a tree species that still dominates the site.
Blair Atholl, Perthshire
This one is worth doing for the train journey alone, with the vistas along the Highland Main Line ever more spectacular as autumn gallops towards its glorious crescendo. A clutch of great walking routes start near Blair Atholl station, among them the 1.5-mile (2.4km) River Tilt Circuit.
Following the tree-lined, tea-coloured waters towards Old Bridge of Tilt, intriguing points of interest include the Wishing Well and Witches Rock, as well as a grotto frequented by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on their 1844 stay at nearby Blair Castle.
If you wish to further stretch your legs, the wider Atholl Estates has more than 50 miles (80km) of waymarked paths. Several of these begin from the Glen Tilt car park, roughly a mile (1.6km) on foot from the train station.
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Murieston Trail, Livingston, West Lothian
Contrary to common misguided belief, Livingston isn’t simply all roundabouts, industrial estates and shopping centres – it has many gorgeous nooks for a delightful daunder too.
The Murieston Trail provides a 2.6-mile (4.2km) circular, passing along a pretty river corridor and through deciduous woodland, with a majestic beech avenue.
Disembark at Livingston South on the Shotts Line, which links Glasgow Central and Edinburgh. From here it is straightforward to join the trail, located just off Robins Lane. Highlights include the restored Campbridge Pond – originally an old limestone quarry.
Killiechonate Woodlands, Spean Bridge, Lochaber
A 2.75-mile (4.5km) figure-of-eight route passes the entrance to Spean Bridge railway station – a fabulous stop on the West Highland Line.
It takes in part of a vast conifer plantation: I adore when larch trees turn golden-yellow, needles contrasting with their evergreen pine and spruce neighbours. There are pockets of oak, rowan, birch and willow (with plans afoot to quadruple native woodland over the next decade).
If you’re staying in the area and fancy another superb stroll, be sure to check out the 2.75-mile (4.5km) Commando Memorial circular. It is packed with historical and natural landmarks, coupled with cracking views of the Grey Corries and Ben Nevis.
Hillend Loch, Caldercruix, Lanarkshire
This gem sits on the North Clyde Line, which runs from Helensburgh Central, via Glasgow Queen Street (Low Level), to Edinburgh. From Caldercruix station, it is half-a-mile (0.8km) to Hillend Loch.
Built between 1797 and 1799 by damming the North Calder Water, it became the largest man-made reservoir in the world at the time. Whenever I visit, I think fondly about my late grandpa. A keen angler, he spent many happy hours fishing here for brown and rainbow trout.
There is a four-mile (6.4km) circuit around the loch, taking in a mix of smooth, tarmac paths (southern shore) and rougher, dirt and grass tracks (northern shore). If you wish to avoid the latter, stick to the paved sections, doing an out-and-back distance of your choosing.
Susan Swarbrick is a Herald columnist and writer who loves history, nature and the outdoors. She writes a weekly dispatch on her favourite walks and places to visit around Scotland