Light festivals have become a regular feature of Scotland’s autumn calendar, brightening up the darkest autumn evenings.
According to tourism body VisitScotland, they are also bringing a welcome boost to the nation’s tourism sector at the time of year when, traditionally, all is quiet.
Now, as the clocks go back, the lights go on... Here's the pick of Scotland's light festivals.
The Enchanted Forest: One of the first light festivals in Scotland and now one of its largest, The Enchanted Forest bathes a swathe of Faskally Wood in Perthshire in colourful lights.
Now reaching the end of its 2024 run, there’s just time – if you’re lucky to grab a ticket – to catch its final days. Ends November 3. Home - The Enchanted Forest
SPECTRA: Launched by Aberdeen City Council in 2014, Spectra is a winter light and arts festival that turns the Granite City into a colourful spectacle. Familiar buildings are spotlighted in colour, with street performances, free art events. Mark your diary – it’s not until February. - SPECTRA
GlasGLOW: Now underway at Glasgow Botanic Gardens, GlasGLOW is a festival of lights and entertainment that transforms the setting after hours into a colourful night garden. With a focus on sustainability and ‘giving back’ to the community through The itison Pumpkin Fund, it attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. itison presents GlasGLOW
OBAN WINTER FESTIVAL: Not quite on the same scale as Scotland’s big light festivals, Oban Winter Festival features Winter Woods, a self-led woodland trail taking visitors through unique installations based on the theme ‘Oceans and Seas’. From November 15 to 25. Winter Woods - Oban Winter Festival
MONTEVIOT LIGHTS: Now in its second year, Monteviot Lights drenches the gardens of Monteviot House near Jedburgh in colour. Visitors follow a 1.8km illuminated path accompanied by art and sound installations. Runs from December 6 to December 22. Monteviot Winter Light Trail | Monteviot Lights, Monteviot Gardens, Nr. Jedburgh
WINTER, WONDER, WANDER: David Welch Winter Gardens in Aberdeen's Duthie Park are transformed for eight evenings in November. Organised by the Friends of Duthie Park, the glass houses are turned into colourful displays. The event runs from November 5 to November 12. Details from FRIENDS OF DUTHIE PARK event tickets from TicketSource.
CASTLE OF LIGHT: The familiar landmark of Edinburgh Castle is given a colourful makeover with immersive displays, interactive installations and music. Edinburgh’s stories brought to life on the castle walls with one of Scotland’s largest projection shows. On from November 22 to January 4. Castle of Light | Edinburgh Castle
STARRY NIGHTS: There are two locations to choose from – Dean Castle in Kilmarnock and Beecraigs Country Park near Linlithgow, both from December 13 to December 23. Christmas-themed shows, they include festive lights, lasers, festive sound installations and Festive Food Villages. https://www.starry-night.co.uk/the-experience/
BRODIE ILLUMINATED: Now in its fifth year, the event at National Trust for Scotland’s Brodie Castle in Forres, Moray, sees colourful projections on the castle’s walls and after-dark journey through the Playful Garden, shrubbery, and woodland. Features include sensory lights which interact with each light display and family-friendly activities. From November 1 to 24. Brodie Illuminated 2024: A celebration… | National Trust for Scotland
CHRISTMAS at THE BOTANICS: One of countless Christmas festivals, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh lights up from November 21 to December 30 with an outdoor trail and fantastical installations custom-designed by selected international and UK-based artists.
Highlights include a Harry Potter themed candle installation, Firework Trees which will shoot light through the branches and interactive wildlife and winter foliage installation which celebrates biodiversity and the environment. Christmas at the Botanics | Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
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