It’s back with a bang. This year’s Enchanted Forest promised “a spectacular immersive art experience like no other.” Last weeks preview proved the team definitely delivered the goods.
This is the 24th year of the award winning show, with more than 800,000 visitors stepping off the buses and entering this magical world, I’d say this one has to be up there with one of my favourites. Back in 2018 when we first experienced this epic light show, we’d never seen anything like it. In 2019 our expectations were high and we were not disappointed. Each year this woodland spectacular brings it A game.
Let me give you the low down for 2025’s, Luminara at the Enchanted Forest.
Your journey starts here
Included in the ticket price is the short bus journey from the Fisher’s Hotel in the centre of Pitlochry up to Faskally Wood. There’s no onsite parking for members of the public at the woods, only wheelchair users. These spaces are limited and have to be booked at the time of ticket purchase.
For anyone with any mobility issues there is also an accessibility bus that can also be booked. They are available Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights and leave from the Blair Athol Distillery.
Once we’d had our tickets scanned by the friendly, helpful team of stewards outside the hotel, it was our time to board the bus. The journey is short but time is used wisely for the safety message and before you know it, you’re set to go.
Luminara: The Living Network
Luminara. Sounds like something from a Charms class at Hogwarts. That’s what I thought when I saw the 2025 theme announcement, but now I think it’s so much more.
The messaging across the site is that, we, as visitors are the Chosen Reconnectors. The balance of this living network, ethereal world of Luminara is fading. We can help restore it’s pulse. To help spark new connections, visitors are encouraged to engage with certain installations. Allowing Luminara to thrive once more.
As seasoned Enchanted Forest visitors we’ve become accustomed to where every light installation will be. Not this time! We found the Living Tapestry transforming a rock face and specimen trees in to a huge canvas. It has to be seen to be believed.
This year the boat house on the edge of loch Dunmore has been transformed into a digital beehive, Nectaropolis. A network of connection where each movement tells a story of teamwork. Just like the whole objective of our visit last week, the story behind this is to show how everything is connected.
Talking of being connected. Have you ever heard of mycelium? In nature, it is a thread-like network of fungal tissue, playing a HUGE part in communication and provides nutrients to plants and trees. Confused? Don’t be. Let me introduce you to Synapse Grove. The secret world beneath the soil that’s now a delightful visual treat. Twinkling before our eyes.
Luminara Falls was probably one of my favourite installations, I’m a sucker for a good waterfall. Bold, flickering lights flow like water overhead and the ethereal music sounds like a waterfall feels. A great place for a decent selfie too.
Nearing the end of the circuit and we are reminded how important our role as the Chosen Reconnectors has been. Reignite. Looks and sounds like a fire. It even has smoke (dry ice). But it’s energy. All the light we have shared by touching, moving and engaging has reignited the heartbeat of Luminara.
A show-stopping “blue-out”
In previous years, the bridge across loch Dunmore has very much been a focal point of the show. Again, the Enchanted Forest team have switched it on it’s head. New for 2025 is a site wide immersive experience.
Forming a living artery, the bridge has been transformed into the Pulse of Luminara. Reacting to the presence of each visitor, voices and movement completes the circuit. This creates a show-stopping light extravaganza that sweeps across the entire forest every 19 minutes. Unifying every person and installation for 90 seconds. Nineteen minutes seems like a really random number but I’m told that this is to ensure visitors can experience the “blue-out” from different points around the loch. Each time seeing something with fresh eyes.
We didn’t time the 19 minutes but it’s obvious when it happens. A momentary change in atmosphere, where the air is blue (with light) and after a dramatic pause, the music erupts through the Enchanted Forest.
We were onsite for a good few hours during the preview. The beauty of this moment is that it’s highly likely, if you do the figure of eight loop several times, that the experience feels new. Each time you are treated to something different. That was really very special.
All the food
The lights aren’t the only thing to have had a shake-up for this year’s Enchanted Forest. This years offerings across the site sound delicious.
If it’s a wee bit chilly, maybe you can get some heat from the Nashville Hot Chicken. They do tacos, tenders and fries too. There’s smash burgers with a veggie option of spicy bean burger. Add fries just because you can.
Don’t worry about the wee one’s. Children’s meal are also available.
We were only saying the other day that we hadn’t had pizza in forever, so there was really only one option for us. Cannot beat a beautiful, thin crust pizza whilst sitting in the woods by the fire in the dark in the middle of autumn!
For those that maybe ate dinner beforehand or fancy a sweet treat, ooooft. There’s Dutch pancakes with a range of scrummy sauces. Fancy some churros with a drizzle of warm Nutella? Or what about donuts and a hot chocolate? I know you want to.
Hot drinks are available across the site and if you are not the designated driver there are some alcoholic drinks too.
My Thoughts on Luminara at the Enchanted Forest
I will always love this seasonal light extravaganza here in Highland Perthshire. Each year it challenges me to think about a subject in a different way. This year was no exception.
Bringing nature and technology together is something I’ve been struggling with recently (maybe six months or so). Trying to be more present when outdoors. Being more conscious in my photography and the things I choose to photograph. Enjoying moments for what they are and not taking a tonne of photographs or a heap of videos to make into a reel for Instagram later. Otherwise it didn’t happen, right?
The irony isn’t lost on me that we were invited to this incredible event (for which we appreciate and love), with the purpose of getting content for Socials. With that said, I can’t write about something I haven’t fully immersed myself in. So, for just one full figure of eight lap of the loch, my phone remained in my pocket.
I saw the lasers. I felt the thunderous bassline of dramatic music. I watched the gentle movement of the mycelium along the woodland floor. I smelt the sweet scent of churros and felt the mist on my face from the captivating loch show. I heard the buzzing of the bees at the boathouse. But I still felt a bit lost.
This feeling has lingered and I cannot shake it. I don’t know if the show is too clever and it will wash over people’s heads? Or is it me and my feelings about our societal disconnection from nature? I DON’T KNOW. Am I only understanding it because of the Press Release I was sent that explained it? Perhaps the creative team have done an excellent job (of course they have) at getting people to think about things? I really don’t know.
Did I enjoy it? Absolutely.
Did it give me food for thought? Maybe.
Would I go back? Of course. The Enchanted Forest is a superb event that fills the hearts of 80,000 people each year. Including mine. Maybe I should just take it for what it is… An excellent night out, that should be filled with joy and a bloody good light show.
You still have time to buy tickets and check it out for yourself. Last date for 2025 is 2nd November.
