Set dramatically in the middle of woods, the enchanted forest in Pitlochry is one of the top attractions in Scotland.
When the sky turns dark, the forest comes live with stunning light arrangements and music that together create a magical element in the air. The enchanted forest in Pitlochry is a must visit for everyone!!
What is enchanted forest?
Scotland, in general, is mostly equated to rugged mountains and wilderness. Scotland also happens to be one of the best places to experience the fall foliage.
The enchanted forest is a light and sound show that happens in Pitlochry, one of the beautiful towns in Perthshire.
With more than 200,000 acres of woodland, Perthshire is also known as Big Tree Country. It is also in Perthshire you can find some of the oldest trees of Britain “Giant Douglas fir” seeded by David Douglas in 1800s.
During the months of autumn, Perthshire gets a stunning changeover, its landscape bursting into tapestry of colours. The giant tree trunks, and the golden and crimson leaves are a feast to eyes.
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Where is Pitlochry?
Located on the river Tummel, and sandwiched between the mountains, Pitlochry is a small Scottish town in the county of Perthshire. The town has retained its Victorian buildings for many years.
Ever since the first time Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Pitlochry around 1842 to establish Balmoral. The area has gained popularity and has since then became a touristy town.
How to reach Pitlochry?
Pitlochry is 70 miles from Edinburgh and 83 miles from Glasgow. Pitlochry is located on A9 which connects to Inverness and is a popular road route to reach the mountains of Aviemore and Cairngorms National Park.
There are regular train services to Pitlochry that connects to Glasgow and Edinburgh, and each takes approximately 2 hours. You can look for train timetables and book the trains online here.
The Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry
The Enchanted Forest is Scotland’s award winning light and sound show that happens in the magical Faskally Woods located in Pitlochry.
Also known as one of the biggest outdoor festival and one of the largest festival in Scotland, the enchanted forest in Pitlochry is a must visit if you are travelling around this region during the autumn months.
The dazzling lights are innovatively designed and laid out in the Faskally Woods’ circular route, with music scores and sounds that synchronises effortlessly creating a magical mood.
What to expect from Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry?
The circuit and path in the enchanted forest is approximately 1.8kms and are laid out well planned. The entire walk around the circuit takes about an hour to walk through.
However, we totally recommend you take time to stop and enjoy the music and light shows and soak into the magical atmosphere.
The coach drops at the entrance of the enchanted forest walk. As you step out in the dark and walk along the low lit path, you will witness pure magic as the forest starts to unveil its colours from out of nowhere.
Colorful spotlights along the path, trees that are hugging multitude of laser lights dancing to the rhythm of music and walking under the canopy of giant trees is quiet a experience to remember forever.
Every year the show is designed based on a theme. There are decorated bridges and as many as 8 different shows (more or less) happening inside the forest.
Apart from the light shows, there were interactive globe (touch and play), color changing orbs placed on the loch, storytelling yurt that kids will definitely enjoy. You can even fancy having a quick dinner in the middle of the forest.
Is Enchanted Forest Show kid friendly?
The entire show is extremely kid friendly. There are interesting information that kids can learn, sensory learning activities, story telling and lot more. Kids will certain love experiencing this magical light and sound show.
Best time to visit Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry
The show is a seasonal event and happens only during the month of October, sometimes between September and October. The enchanted forest show runs only for only one month.
Tickets do get filled up very fast, so, if you plan to experience this show, do book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointments. Tickets can be purchased through Enchanted Forest website/phone or in person at any Visit Scotland Tourist Centre.
How to reach Faskally Woods?
A coach is arranged to take all the visitors from the town centre of Pitlochry into the Faskally Woods. These coaches run every 15-20 minutes. A 10 minute bus journey takes you into the forest.
Here’s a short video of one of the shows that happened in the forest.
Where To Stay in Pitlochry?
Pitlochry has retained its victorian charm for decades. Many of Victorian buildings have been converted into hotels and luxury stays in Pitlochry.
For an affordable yet comfortable stay, we recommend Tigh Na Cloich Hotel, which is located in the city centre, and is perfect for attending the Enchanted Forest show.
Other pocket friendly accommodations in Pitlochry are Fisher’s Hotel which is located close to Pitlochry Train Station. East Haugh House Hotel is an award winning hotel located 2 miles from Pitlochry, but also offers self catering cottages. Check more hotels and cottages in Pitlochry.
Practical Information and Top Tips
Book your tickets in advance
The event only runs for 4 weeks after it turns dark, so there are only very few slots usually available. We definitely recommend booking the tickets in advance if you don’t want to be disappointed.
One year we tried to book the tickets in August, and we couldn’t find a single ticket available. The tickets open up almost one year in advance, so keep this in mind.
Wear appropriate clothing
It’s autumn in Scotland. Expect more rain, wind or damp weather. Hence, cover yourself with a fleece layer and a sturdy windbreaker or rain jacket.
The even happens only in the after dark hours, and October in Scotland is really cold on some days. So we also recommend taking gloves, scarf and a winter hat to keep yourself warm. Perhaps a strong umbrella too.
Wear appropriate shoes
October in Scotland is usually rainy and damp. And the entire event happens within the forest area along the loch.
The walking paths are usually soggy (we have been to the event twice, and it was very cold and damp throughout). So we recommend wearing wellie boots or good waterproof hiking boots that can withstand hours of walking in the muddy path.
Arrive ahead on time
If you are driving into Pitlochry from either Glasgow, Edinburgh, Perth or Inverness, do plan to drive well ahead on time and reach Pitlochry in advance.
During the festival time, the town is busy and crowded, so you can expect slow traffic as you emerge near the town.
Sort your stay in advance
We absolutely recommend booking a stay in or around Pitlochry on the day of event. Considering you allocate 2 to 3 hours for the show, it gets over by 9 or 10pm. You don’t want to drive back in the darkness.
Plan the entire trip in such a way you spend a night somewhere around Pitlochry to get some rest before heading back to your destination. And goes without saying, if you choose to stay overnight, sort your stay well in advance, because accommodations get booked very fast.
Choose public transport
Pitlochry is a small town, and there are limited parking space available in and around the town.
The best choice is to take public transport if you want to attend the event. However, if you choose to drive, finding a parking space can be extremely challenging and daunting. Do note that the parking space on the enchanted forest is also very limited. So, plan, plan and plan.
Event cancellations and bad weather
In the event of extremely harsh weather, the event can get cancelled. Always check the Enchanted Forest website for latest information on weather forecast and any cancellations.
Carry tripod if you want to take decent photographs
Since the event happens in a dark low light setting, handheld cameras does not do any justice. Carrying a tripod will allow you to take time to capture the right colours and lights in the appealing way.
Stay close with your kids
The entire walking path and show happens in a pitch dark forest area. The only lights are from the event. There are small lights that are lit along the walking path, but they are not bright enough. So stay close with your kids, and don’t let them walk around alone. Losing your kid and shouting their name is the last thing you want to do. Hold their hands, or inform them to walk along with you.
You may also enjoy reading these posts!
- 10 beautiful National trust attractions in Scotland
- 13 stunning castles that you must visit in Scotland
- Explore Callander and visit the cutest highland cows
- 20 ultimate things to experience in Isle of Mull
- Weekend in the coastal town of Largs
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evanescentthoughts
wow very interesting show. Loved the video at the end.
Country Hopping Couple
Thank you Ash. That's the first video I uploaded in this blog, and I am glad you liked it 🙂
Rajaraman
Truly enchanting description of pitlochry. Graphic details well explained making a exciting offer to visit. Photographers shown in the forest are truly enchanting and envigorating
Destination Infinity
The music & lights in the video was good, but they could have added some kind of story. Good to see a part of the show from here 🙂
Destination Infinity
Country Hopping Couple
Hmm.may be that might have added a bit more interest! But they did had a theme for the whole light show!
Freya Renders
WoW these photos are stunning, I loved the video too. What a unique and enchanting experience. Just beautiful !
Country Hopping Couple
Thank you Freya! I am glad the video and photos came out well because all of them were handheld.
Renuka
Looks like an interesting place!
Country Hopping Couple
It's indeed an interesting place. Thank you Renu!
Sreesha Divakaran
The pictures are marvelous!
Country Hopping Couple
Thank you Sreesha, and welcome here 🙂
Jacquie
I’ve just been reading about this as we were looking at Christmas experiences around the UK. It looks amazing!
My Unfinished Life
marvelous show !!! really nice!!
http://www.myunfinishedlife.com
Country Hopping Couple
Thank you 🙂
Bindhu Unny
Amazing. As we are not likely to visit "the enchanted forest," enjoyed it vicariously. 🙂
Country Hopping Couple
Glad you enjoyed it Bindhu. Welcome here!
D.Nambiar
Enchanting indeed. 🙂
Country Hopping Couple
Thanks D 🙂
bakoyma
Thanks for the video and the practical information at the end, I really want to see this for myself someday. Thanks for sharing!
Country Hopping Couple
Yes, it's a magical place that does induce everyone to visit 🙂
Arti
Absolutely gorgeous set of pictures, Anu! This is magic, many thanks for bringing it closer to us!
Country Hopping Couple
Glad you enjoyed them Arti!
Sammi Wei
Beautiful!! Love it and the show in the video is so pretty, this is definitely something I want to see in person!
Country Hopping Couple
It is indeed a place to visit in person! Thanks for the comment Sammy!
Jacquie
I was just reading about this as we are looking at Christmas experiences around the UK. It looks amazing!
Jacquie recently posted…15 Of The Best Florida Beaches For Families
Abby
This looks so incredible! I had no idea that anything like this even existed! My son would go nuts with being outdoors in a forest AND getting to see cool lights! We will have to add this to our bucket list for when we visit Scotland.
Abby recently posted…Disney Parks Reopening Guide: Visiting During a Pandemic (2020)
Nicole Anderson
The Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry is one attraction I had not heard of prior to reading this post. This does look so beautiful at night with the lighting effects and you have managed to take some great shots here. I love how the trees seem to move in an enchanting way in parts of your video. Great tips on attending this event in the Scottish autumn – I hope to do so in the future.
Nicole Anderson recently posted…Puerto Vallarta: More than Beaches and Margaritas
Pam
We loved Pitlochry, but we visited in the summer so we didn’t get to see this incredible light show! Scotland in Autumn sounds beautiful
Pam recently posted…7 Places to Eat in Chincoteague
Kat
Scotland looks like such a wonderful place! I had no idea there was also an enchanted forest. That looks lovely and I’ll def add that to my list of things to do when I visit!
Kat recently posted…5 Ways to Make a Staycation an Amazing Vacation
binny
I had no clue about this festival before. It looks interesting in your photos and video. Just the idea of Enchanted Forest is quite intriguing and fun for the whole family. thanks for sharing.
Matt
Wow this looks great, thanks for sharing the video! We plan to visit Scotland next year so maybe we can look into this 🙂
Georgina
I took a train ride from Edinburgh to Inverness recently and wondered if I should stop at Pitlochry to explore – I should have. Your video and the enchanted forest looks lovely and is a place which I will explore in the future. Thank you for sharing.
Bolupe
I’m so glad that the light and sound show that happens in the Faskally Woods is kid-friendly. My kids will love the story telling and sensory learning activity.
Bolupe recently posted…The Best family holiday to Hurghada
Joseph Benson
Wow Enchanted forest is right! The colors and the sounds make for a wonderful display, especially deep in the woods like that. Surely an experience that I would NOT miss if I were in Scotland during the autumn-time.
Joseph Benson recently posted…The Myths About Traveling India Proven Wrong
Kileen
This looks like a really fun place for the whole family! I’m sure my family would love to walk through the enchanted forest!
Kileen recently posted…5 Staples To Have In Your Closet This Fall