The Enchanted Forest and other wonderful things

All ready for our adventure

We may regret Boy Three observing the fire making

Boy One using a bow drill to make a hole in a rock

The view across Loch Tay

I have wanted to visit the Enchanted Forest ever since I first heard of it. And this year it all came together – a weekend where we were all free and some spectacular weather. 

My photos don’t do the site at Faskally near Pitlochry anything like justice – all I can say is “go”. We’ll certainly be back. 

The Boys were fascinated although Boy Three did announce that his very favourite bit of the whole adventure was going on the bus. We really should take him out more often. 

We stayed at the very cosy and welcoming Kirkmichael Hotel. On our way back there from Pitlochry the night was so clear we stopped in a layby and stood with our heads back gazing at the heavens counting shooting stars. It was a light show just as magical as the one in the forest. 

Next day, at the suggestion of the hotel owner – we were looking for something to amuse us on our trip home – we visited the Scottish Crannog Centre on Loch Tay. 

If I tell you it’s a unique reconstruction of an Iron Age loch dwelling you probably be yawning already. Don’t. This place is fascinating – not least because of the passionate and knowledgeable guides and hands-on equipment. 

In the course of a couple of hours here’s what I learned: 

• You can make cloth from nettles. Really nice cloth. Why don’t we still do this?
• You can make a satisfying hole in a stone without too much trouble. Why don’t we still do this? 
• You can keep fire in a tinder fungus. Why don’t we still do this? 
• The people who lived in the Crannogs were quite civilised and didn’t poo in the loch. 
• Someone brought opium to Iron Age Loch Tay. 
• You don’t always need a chimney for your fire.