This year the company I work for is participating in the preparation of the Enchanted Forest Festival providing some assistance in the special effects of what is perhaps the most prestigious Scottish show of lights and sounds.

The many forests of Scotland, famous for their magnificent colours, are a true spectacle to look at in all seasons but the Enchanted Forest is also where many Festivals are organized each year. With the purpose of enhancing the woods and trees through a fusion of lights, colours and music the festival and other similar events give life to this natural setting.





This is a must-see event because visiting the lush green of the Scottish nature, the visitor is catapulted into a surreal and magical atmosphere and in the evenings local Folk Bands also perform here.

Although Scotland is famous for its fire festivals and fireworks, this show is somewhat unique because its setting is in nature. The event always has a different theme to it and the last Enchanted Forest illustrated Scottish myths and legends. I tried to take some pictures to capture some of this magic, but it seemed an impossible mission because the photos don’t show the true beauty of the place nor they can give an idea of what it means to see the colours of the lights or hear the sounds in person.

Along the trail in the forest, you find actors and actresses dressed as druids, characters from the Celtic culture who would have the power to communicate with the trees, especially the oak tree. The actors talk about the spiritual symbolism of forests throughout the Scottish history.

At the event there is also a storytelling area and kiosks where you can grab a snack and chill out with a hot chocolate.





Among all the protected natural reserves I discovered living in Scotland, the Enchanted Forest is the place I found to be the most interesting. Located near Pitlochry in the Perthshire region, the forest lies in the centre of Scotland, just a few miles from Glasgow.

The Perthshire area which was a surprise to me day after day: it is a land with a thousand facets, colours and landscapes. I would never have thought of finding such a captivating mix of landscapes and people in Scotland (which is indeed fairly homogenous).

I was fortunate enough to walk around this area on a sunny day. I remember looking down from a bridge and see some brave swimmers bathing in the very cold waters of the Tay River.

From this bridge I could not only enjoy a view on the other side of the river but also immerse myself in an explosion of smells and colours. Maple, water lilies, daisies, willow, moss and leaves falling on the ground accompanied by the remote sound of the bagpipes. Like in a postcard but stimulating all senses!

Throughout the trip the trees were the main element, the true guardians that for centuries guarded the Scottish landscape.

By going into the forest I realized that it was like being in a fairy-tale world of elves and goblins with or without the special effects. But Scotland is also this: monsters, unicorns, enchanted forests, huge industrial cities, beer, music, ghosts, popular beliefs, patriotism, kilt, tartan and ancient houses.

This area of Scotland, in particular the village of Pitlochry, is one of the favourite destinations of tourists: Queen Victoria was one of the first tourists to have advertised the fairy beauty of this little village at the edge of the forest. The ideal way to immerse oneself in the wonderful atmosphere of the Scottish landscape is to stay in one of the famous castles that are usually located near a forest because in the past it provided the wood for the fire.