At a glance
Our experience
An Unexpectedly Busy Forest
During my trip to Pitlochry, I visited Faskally Forest, looking forward to exploring the woodland and taking a walk around Loch Dunmore.
It was a little busier than I had expected! There were people milling around, busy with the final preparations for the opening of The Enchanted Forest, the spectacular annual light show held amongst the trees.
Although it wasn't quite the peaceful woodland visit I'd imagined, it turned out to be a lovely surprise. I was getting an unexpected glimpse behind the scenes of one of Scotland's most magical autumn events.
A Glimpse of The Enchanted Forest
As I explored, I could see some of the scenes and lighting installations being prepared for this year's event. It was fascinating watching the forest being transformed into something completely different.
Even in daylight, the displays looked amazing. I found myself imagining what the forest would look like after dark, with colourful lights illuminating the trees and reflecting across the loch.
I'm planning to visit The Enchanted Forest this year, and seeing some of the preparations has made me even more excited to experience the finished event.
Autumn Around Loch Dunmore
I continued exploring along the circular path around Loch Dunmore, which was definitely the highlight of my visit.
The loch was absolutely beautiful, surrounded by forest as the trees began changing into their autumn colours. Looking out across the water towards the mixture of greens, golds and oranges was one of my favourite moments of the Pitlochry trip.
Despite the activity taking place around the forest, the natural scenery was just as impressive as the event preparations. It's a lovely place for a gentle woodland walk, with beautiful views almost all the way around the loch.
Faskally Forest ended up being a memorable stop for two very different reasons: the stunning autumn scenery and an unexpected preview of the magic still to come.
Planning Your Visit
Faskally Forest is located just outside Pitlochry in Highland Perthshire. The Dunmore Trail follows a short circular route around Loch Dunmore.
- Route: Dunmore Trail
- Distance: 1.2 km
- Guide time: 30 minutes
- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Gravel woodland paths
- Parking: Faskally car park
- Facilities: Toilets and picnic area
The Enchanted Forest takes place here during autumn. If visiting around the event dates, check for temporary trail closures, diversions and parking restrictions.
