Almond Valley in autumn

With autumn in the air, Almond Valley’s fields, woodlands and green spaces have never looked more beautiful or inviting.

All around us is a vibrant tapestry of colours, sounds and smells.

Not to mention the atmosphere of renewal and rebirth that is capturing everyone’s imagination.

So, as the leaves crunch underfoot and temperatures begin to drop, our work across the site evolves too.

Our focus turns to caring for the land and readying it for the new growing season, settling our adorable residents into their winter homes, planning the breeding programme for the year ahead, and preparing for our autumn programme of family-friendly events.

Home from home

With autumn’s riot of colour, comes the time to say a fond farewell to the seasonal residents who call Almond Valley home during the summer months.

Rehoming our larger breeds is a real labour of love: saying goodbye to the animals you care for is tinged with sadness, but our commitment to sustainability and the well-being of our friends is always uppermost in our minds.

First, on the moo-ve this autumn, returning to their permanent home near Stirling, were our three highland cows (Sheila, Kim Cow-Dashian and baby Fia).

Liam and Noel Gallagher have nothing on these rock star girls and everyone will miss seeing their faces around the farm.

Meanwhile, our paddock has the time it needs to recover and regrow, ready for a new year of grazing when the girls call on us again in spring.

Next to make the journey to their winter homes will be our majestic Clydesdale horses and the now fully-grown pigs.

Clydesdales are very well known for their magnificent size, strength and fluffy feathers, so it’s hardly surprising people love to watch them strut their elegant stuff in parades and at driving events.

Our three mares, Dora, Willow and Rowan are no exception.

The girls are a permanent fixture at Almond Valley, with their placid, friendly natures making them a firm favourite with visitors, young and old.

During the summer months, these gentle giants while their days away in the cropping fields, but past experience has taught us that it is better to house them in the Animal Shed during winter, as ground conditions deteriorate with the wet and frosty weather.Getting ready for some cute new arrivals in the spring

Turning to some of our daintier inhabitants and a real good news story, even if we do say so ourselves!

We have a lovely breeding programme for harvest mice which is now in full swing.

Breeding occurs between autumn and winter, as it allows the young to be reintroduced to the wild in spring and summer when conditions are more favourable to their survival.

The mice are the only breed we are reintroducing to the wild, so it’s a true success story, not to mention a testament to our commitment to conservation.

Seasonal fun for all the family

As we navigate the cooler months and plan for the spring ahead, it is also important to enjoy the unique opportunities to learn and have fun that this season brings with it.

Our programme of special events and activities kicks off with the Harvest Festival, a truly joyful experience for the whole family.

There will be plenty of adventures and fun-filled activities on offer for the whole family, including interactive storytelling sessions, art in nature with WEXPRESIF, the odd animal encounter or two and den-building.

The end of the month brings its own magical surprises too, in the form of the ultimate maths challenge.

As we celebrate Maths Week Scotland, visitors to Almond Valley will embark on a unique tale of discovery; releasing their inner genius and taking on our awesome Trail of Plenty.

As our adventurers measure, weigh and calculate their way through the Trail, they will witness maths in motion with our extraordinary waterwheel.

Numbers, not your thing? No worries!

Something wicked this way comes to this Spooktober that is sure to have you cackling with delight.

That’s right! We are dedicating a whole month to screams, cauldrons, broomsticks, vampires, and anything else your imagination can conjure up.

The treacherous Trail of Lost Spells, our thrill-tastic family Fright Nights, or the spine-chilling Spooktacular Ball; there are tricks and treats in store for everyone.

In these harvest months, there are so many great attractions and experiences to enrich your senses, but don’t just take our word for it.

Come along and find out for yourself.

It’s sure to be a wonderful day of adventure, learning and play.