The Enchanted Forest is an annual sound and light event held in Faskally Wood, two kilometres north of Pitlochry, for roughly five weeks from early October to early November.
It has run since 2002, it is one of Scotland’s largest autumn events, and it regularly draws six figures of attendance across its run.
A walking route through the wood, around Loch Dunmore, with the trees, water and terrain lit by large-scale projection, lasers and coloured light, synchronised to a specially composed soundtrack played through speakers positioned along the way.
The theme changes every year and the design is rebuilt each time — the lighting, the music and the route are new, which is why a substantial proportion of the audience is returning.
The loch is the centrepiece: the reflections double everything, and the set piece over the water is what people remember.
It is not a fairground, a Christmas market or a character event. It is closer to an outdoor installation, and it works on adults as much as on children.
Arrive before dusk if you can. Visitors who get there as the sun is going down see the wood in daylight, at dusk and then fully lit, and consistently say this is the best way to experience it. Later slots go straight into the dark.
Book early. It sells out, particularly at weekends and half term. Tickets go on sale months ahead.
Timed entry applies, and slots are enforced.
Dress for a Perthshire wood in late autumn at night. It is cold, it is often wet, and the event runs in rain. Waterproofs and warm layers; the ground is dark and the temperature drops after sunset.
The walkways are solid and well made — visitors specifically mention how good the surfacing is, which for a temporary installation in a wood is not a given.
Food stalls and plenty of toilets are provided on site, and the organisation is consistently praised.
Park and ride is the norm. Parking at the wood is limited and the event runs a shuttle bus service from Pitlochry, which is included or cheaply available with tickets. Using it is strongly advised — the roads round Faskally are narrow and the shuttle removes the problem entirely.
Pitlochry itself is on the main line with direct trains from Perth, Edinburgh and Glasgow, and the town has plenty of accommodation, so a rail-plus-shuttle trip is entirely feasible.
Outside the event, Faskally Wood is open, free to walk and well worth it — the Loch Dunmore circuit, the floating pavilion and the autumn colour are there whether or not the lights are.
Faskally is not on the night-access scheme at other times, so the Enchanted Forest is the only way to see the wood after dark.
Tickets required, timed entry, booked in advance.
Dates: roughly early October to early November; announced early in the year.
Time: the walk takes about an hour to ninety minutes at a normal pace.
Access: the route is on made walkways and is largely accessible; check the current year’s provision, as the route changes annually.
Weather: it runs in rain. Cancellations are rare and are for safety.
Age: it works from toddlers to adults. Pushchairs are manageable on the walkways.
Roughly five weeks from early October to early November each year.
No — the theme, lighting design, soundtrack and route are new each year.
Yes. It is timed entry and it sells out, especially at weekends and half term.
By the event shuttle bus from Pitlochry, which is the recommended option — parking at the wood is very limited.
Warm and waterproof clothing. It is an outdoor event in a Highland wood at night, and it runs in the rain.