There is something special about seeing a Scottish woodland transformed by thousands of lights, music and colour, and the Enchanted Forest in Pitlochry offers just that.
Set among the trees of Faskally Wood, the award-winning sound and light show has become a major fixture in Scotland’s autumn calendar. This year, it is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a new theme, Stop The Clock: The 25th Hour.
The idea is that every 25 years, the forest finds an extra hour, transporting visitors into a world where time stands still.
As I made my way into the woodland, the experience offered a chance to leave the everyday rush behind and take in the sights and sounds of the forest.
The natural surroundings are a huge part of what makes the event so distinctive. Rather than simply watching a light show, visitors follow a trail through the trees, with installations and soundscapes bringing the woodland to life.
This year’s anniversary theme plays with the idea of time, creating a dreamlike atmosphere where the usual rules of reality are turned on their head.
The combination of the autumn scenery, carefully choreographed lighting and immersive music makes the experience feel different from a traditional evening attraction. There is something to discover around each corner, with the woodland itself providing the backdrop.
And while the spectacle is impressive, the event is also about giving people the chance to spend time together. Families, couples and groups of friends can explore the trail at their own pace, taking in the installations along the way.
Having welcomed almost one million visitors since it began in 2002, the Enchanted Forest has grown into one of Scotland’s best-known autumn events.
It also has a lasting impact beyond the woodland. Run by the Enchanted Forest Community Trust, the event supports local charities, community groups and projects across Highland Perthshire.
The show runs until November 8, with visitors travelling by shuttle bus from the centre of Pitlochry to Faskally Wood.
For its 25th anniversary, the Enchanted Forest offers a chance to escape the ordinary for an evening and see one of Perthshire’s most beautiful settings.
You can book tickets for this experience here.