I’ve been to Brodie Illuminated every year since its inaugural event in 2020. Each time I wonder how it can be bettered, and every year it pulls a rabbit out of the hat (pun intended) and wows with displays that continue to impress. The castle, shrubbery, gardens and playground are all lit up to create a beautiful twist on the attraction we know and love.
The Playful Garden is transformed into an after-dark playground lit with projections and pools of light. The castle becomes a canvas for a themed storyline, and we are guided through the gardens by meandering walkways punctuated with fairy lights.
This year the theme is ‘A Celebration of Playfulness’, and the projected illuminations onto the castle were animated continuously. And as an added bonus, there are many pictures sent in by the public showing their playful times at Brodie Castle over the years.
And each year, a new route is chosen by the design team. This year’s pathway leads through the Playful Garden and winds back through the Victorian Shrubbery. The pathway here leads out on the lawn in front of the castle. This is a masterpiece of design, as the previous routes which led head-on to the castle were impressive, but the 2025 approach shows off both sides with full animation.
This is leaps and bounds from the first year, and each time, modifications make the display better and better. Gelled lights on the walkways, a new home for the dragon and a piano en route. The quality of the projections is stunning, crisp and yet again, I find myself wondering how they will top this next year.
Brodie Illuminated runs from Thursday to Sunday (till 24 November), with ticketed slots between 5:20pm and 8pm. I did three circuits. The weather this year made it a very pleasant experience and it’s forecast to stay mild for at least a week. Whether you’ve been before or a newbie, this year is well worth the trip.
There’s hot food at the start, or end depending when you decide to eat, as well as cakes and coffee in the Playful Cafe.
Pictures: Copyright Marc and Susan Hindley
