If you are feeling festive, look no further than a Christmas market. The smell of mulled wine, the sound of carol singers, the taste of that first mince pie: markets are a multi-sensory feast for all the family, and the perfect way to kick off your festivities.

Suie Hunting Lodge, in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park, is the very definition of off the beaten path. No wifi, no phone signal — just you and the Highlands. Seize the chance to see the wild, ancient, and often macabre side of Scotland, and enjoy stars sparkling in dark skies as night draws in.

This summer Hannah and her two children packed their bags and jumped onto the train to the Isle of Purbeck, for a long-awaited post-lockdown holiday. They explored sandy beaches and ancient castles, hopping on and off the Purbeck Breezer bus - the open top deck was particularly popular!

As the nights turn darker and longer in Scotland the ghosts and ghouls come out to play. The shadows stretch out and the tales turn taller in the season of Samhain and Halloween. Scotland, after all, is the country of Jekyll and Hyde, of real-life Bodysnatchers; a shadowy land where past and present constantly intertwine – no wonder Diana Gabaldon chose Scotland as the setting for her time-travelling historical fantasy romance, Outlander. Autumn is a spooky time of year all right; otherworldly too as the dark skies bewitch you into looking beyond our world in search of others in the heavens. In this land of wandering souls and lingering shadows, you’ll still also find peace and solitude away from the summer crowds.

Scotland is a land of epic landscapes, soul-stirring views and camera teasing wildscapes. And in autumn it really excels as the leaves turn and the heather blooms. The deer descend from the mountains too, the mountain hares consider a change of coat to a white winter hue, the salmon are leaping and the red squirrels get serious about stocking up for winter.

Savvy Scots know the upside of shortening nights is the soft, dappled light, burning colours and sheer cosiness of a Scottish Autumn. What could be more life-affirming on a glorious autumn day than enjoying a bracing walk followed by a gorgeous single malt in the glowering gloaming?

This summer Hannah and her two children packed their bags and jumped onto the train to the Isle of Purbeck, for a long-awaited post-lockdown holiday. They explored sandy beaches and ancient castles, hopping on and off the Purbeck Breezer bus - the open top deck was particularly popular!

Byway member Megan and her friend Kimbers went on Byway’s first ever North Wales adventure to check it our for us and to celebrate Megan’s 40th birthday! They explored a medieval castle, took a coastal boat trip and scarfed delicious seafood chowder. To top it off, there were plenty of Welsh ales for birthday toasts overlooking Snowdonia’s gorgeous peaks.

Sarah and Nick finished work for the day and jumped on the train from Bristol to cross the country for a luxury twelve day holiday in Scotland. Think empty beaches, hilly walks and lots of rest and relaxation. They enjoyed remote islands, towering castles, fantastic food, and invigorating sea swims.

Sian and Peter jumped on the train from Newcastle to head south on a fourteen day Byway, full of island hopping, bird spotting and sea swimming. They enjoyed crab sandwiches, island ferries, view-filled walks, a Shepherd’s Hut, and a show from Red Arrows (for them, or the G7 dignitaries).

Slow travel is surging! Since lockdown easing was announced we've planned more post-lockdown holidays than you can shake a stick at; below you'll find the most popular trips, grounded in joyful journeys by train, boat and bus.