By the time of my (delayed) return journey on Sunday evening, it seemed that every conceivable type of disruption to Scotland's rail services had been conspiring to prevent what has stealthily become a regular appointment in Faskally Wood by Pitlochry.
As its 30,000 aficionados know, that is the venue transformed each October into The Enchanted Forest, a son et lumiere installation in 66 hectares of Forestry Commission land to the north of the town, hard by the M9. It has won numerous accolades and awards as one of the country's premiere tourist attractions, and government in Holyrood and Westminster is certainly aware of its importance. On my first visit, MSP Michael Russell was enthusiastically endorsing it and this year local MP Pete Wishart formally opened the show, describing it as "an essential boost for the local economy, but it also showcases the natural beauty of Scotland right across the globe".
"The Enchanted Forest is a must-see event for any visitor to Scotland in the autumn," he added, and he'd get no argument from me - the way it has drawn me back year on year is evidence enough.
This 12th event is entitled Absorb and is more abstract than some previous years, which sought to structure some sort of narrative around the illuminated, soundtracked stroll. With globes of light echoed in the colour-changing balloons held by the many children, and some stunning projection work on the landscape, it also boasted what was to my ears the best music to have been commissioned for the project. In Jon Beales and RJ McConnell's score, the usual computer-assisted electronics was partnered to some "real" instrument recordings, including some very fine brass arrangements indeed. When you learn the players include saxophonists Steve Kettley and Mike Butcher, the quality is rather less of a suprise.
Which is by way of pointing out that there is plenty in Falskally Wood to enchant adults, although it is for many primarily a family occasion, and one that carefully caters for those who have trouble walking for other reasons than it being a recently learned skill. I wish it had existed when I could have shared the experience of wide-eyed wonder some of the nippers were demonstrating. But for young Patrick, sitting in front of me on the coach on the way back into Pitlochry, the highlight had been the bus journey to and from the pick-up point. Given my experience with trains, I could see what he meant.
The Enchanted Forest runs until October 27 - details from www. enchantedforest.org.uk.
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