Hettie of Hettie's Tearoom, Pitlochry

The Enchanted Forest is an annual light and sound show held throughout October in Faskally Woods, drawing over 80,000 visitors each year. Definitely worth a visit; the perfect date night, family adventure or solo exploration.   Every year the theme of the experience is different; this year it was “Symphony of Nature”. Which was pretty magic! Your journey starts outside Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry, where your tickets are scanned and you board the shuttle bus to the forest. On the bus the magic begins, through the speakers comes an enchanting voice introducing you to what you can expect in the woods you to the forest (and of course the safety features).   Arriving at the forest, you’re greeted by a glowing Enchanted Forest sign, a prime photo-op, and a few interactive lights for kids and adults…. aka my partner nearly breaking the hanging one!   The journey begins with "singing frogs"—subtle voices tucked in the trees, blending wildlife sounds into the symphony . Which th...

I know, I know! You’re probably thinking, Hettie please I’ve heard enough about COVID, let’s just move on. Trust me, I feel the same……but, for us and many other small businesses it was not smooth sailing! Mum and I had a blast, trying to figure out what we could do to ensure the survival of Hettie’s, and we came up with some good ideas (and some totally krankie ones)!  Originally mum was uncertain as to whether Hettie’s would make it out the other side at all.   But it meant so much to us both to keep the ‘empire’ alive.  So the Facebook Lives were born. These were a hit —you loved seeing Mum “just talking rubbish” she used to say, and it was a lovely way to stay connected worldwide.  Spoiler alert: We’re bringing them back!  Then we decided to open a baking supplies shop with our stock which was lying doing nothing, just waiting to get made into cakes and bread etc . We could be found, most evenings, decanting and packing things like flour, local eggs, yeast (w...

“Is there a Hettie?”   This is our most frequently asked question.  Other than “do you sell normal tea” or “do you have a bathroom?”  And… the answer is…. yes it’s me!   I am THE Hettie or if we’re going posh my name is actually Henrietta.  Many of our lovely guests think my Mum, Clare is Hettie.   If you are one of those inquisitive people who have asked the question, my mum probably smartly answered back saying  "No I'm Hettie's slave and she's living it up away at university". -This is my pal Billy from Riders of the Storm Equestrian Academy - Unfortunately, I can't take much of the credit for the success of  Hettie's over the past 14 years, apart from being a fabulously supportive daughter and of course the favourite child (aka the only child!).  Growing up it was just Mum and I, she is a true inspiration to me; building her happiness empire one cup of Hettie’s tea at a time.  Much of her success can be attributed to her completely s...