If you’re staying with us at The Old Stables in Alyth during October, there’s one event we always recommend adding to your list – The Enchanted Forest. It’s an award-winning sound and light show held every autumn in Faskally Wood, just outside Pitlochry, and it’s genuinely one of the most magical experiences you can have in Scotland.

Every year the show has a different theme, and it transforms the forest into something straight out of a fairytale. Lights ripple across the trees, music plays softly through the woods, and reflections shimmer across the loch – it’s breathtaking. Many of our guests have been, and every single one has come back glowing about it.

Getting There from Alyth

Getting to The Enchanted Forest from Alyth is straightforward. It’s about a 45 to 50-minute drive to Pitlochry, depending on traffic. You can head north through Blairgowrie, then follow the A9 towards Pitlochry. Once you arrive in town, you’ll park in one of the designated car parks, as no private cars are allowed directly into the forest itself.

From there, a shuttle bus takes you from Pitlochry to Faskally Wood. The buses are well organised and part of the experience — everyone heading up together creates a real buzz of excitement. The ride itself only takes around ten minutes, and the drop-off point is right at the entrance to the forest trail.

Tickets and Timing

Tickets have to be booked in advance, and they sell out quickly every year, especially for weekends and earlier evening slots. Each ticket has a specific entry time, which matches the shuttle bus departure, so make sure you arrive in good time.

Once you’re in the forest, you can wander at your own pace. Most people spend around an hour to an hour and a half walking the loop, but there’s no rush — the show is designed to be explored slowly. There are food and drink stalls dotted around too, so you can grab a hot chocolate or something to eat as you go.

Tips for Visiting

• Dress warmly and bring waterproofs – you’re in the woods and it can get chilly at night.

• Wear proper shoes or boots as the paths can be muddy if it’s been raining.

• Bring a camera or phone with good low-light settings – the reflections on the loch are amazing.

• If you can, try to book a slot around dusk. Seeing the forest transition from daylight into full darkness adds an extra layer of magic.

Why Our Guests Love It

There’s something lovely about staying in quiet, peaceful Alyth, then heading off for a night of lights and music in the forest. It’s a nice balance – cosy countryside mornings, and then a little bit of wonder in the evening. Some of our guests have even made it part of their annual tradition.

If you’re planning a stay with us in October, The Enchanted Forest is absolutely worth the trip. It’s one of those experiences that captures everything that’s special about autumn in Scotland – crisp air, golden trees, and a touch of enchantment.