The Enchanted Forest, Scotland’s favourite sound and light show has revealed the event’s first ever animated show map.  

The event, which takes place between 3 October and 3 November 2024 in Pitlochry, Highland Perthshire, is a long-established Autumnal mecca for Scotland’s families. The animated show map is the first of its kind in the event’s 20-plus year history and takes the visitor on a short journey around Faskally Wood, highlighting the various installations and audio features they will experience while visiting The Enchanted Forest later this year. 

Tricia Fox, marketing manager for the popular autumn event, commented, “We’re very excited to bring our show map to life for the very first time. Our visitors are always very interested in what they might expect to see at the show, but in the past we’ve had to rely on flat visuals and words to paint that picture. This year we’ve used technology to bring each installation concept to life either through animation or audio snippets to give people a taste of what they will be able to enjoy on a much grander scale come October. The Enchanted Forest has always been at the forefront of technological innovation in sound and light, so it’s fantastic to keep pushing the boundaries for what’s possible in every way we can.” 

 This year’s show promises to be an unforgettable journey through a symphony of lights, music, and the natural beauty of the forest. Visitors to this year’s Enchanted Forest will be transported into an immersive outdoor experience which combines a kaleidoscope of vivid colours with inspirational original music. The animated show map highlights the range of impressive installations on the woodland trail that visitors will see brought to life this Autumn.   

 Tickets for the 2024 show are on sale, with weekend tickets nearly sold out. To book tickets, or to find out more information, please visit: www.enchantedforest.org.uk.  

An independent economic impact assessment report commissioned by the Enchanted Forest Community Trust, the organisers behind Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, has found the event is now able to deliver an annual, impressive economic impact of £10.38 million to Highland Perthshire, a collective economic impact total of £73 million since the event began in 2002.

The report, undertaken by the Tourism Resources Company, focused on the 2023 event which took place from 5 October to 5 November. It confirmed the event’s crucial role in delivering an impressive boost to the local tourism economy in and around Pitlochry every autumn. Attracting up to 83,000 visitors from all over the UK and beyond, ticketing data for the 2023 event which took place between 5 October and 5 November, showed visitors travelled from twenty-nine different countries to Highland Perthshire specifically for the event.

As part of the economic impact assessment report, designed to assess the fiscal impact of the event on the Perth and Kinross economy, a visitor survey was conducted online with 4,013 respondents, most of whom were female (81%). The visitor survey found the vast majority of visitors (91%) only visited Pitlochry because of The Enchanted Forest event, the majority of visitors (89%) were outside of Perth and Kinross, and 51% had stayed overnight, significantly benefiting local businesses such as Fishers Hotel, Scotland’s Spa Hotel and McKay’s Hotel; local eateries including Victoria’s, Old Mill Inn and McKay’s Chip Shop, as well as numerous independent shops in Pitlochry.

The overall event was rated highly with an impressive 93.04% positive customer enjoyment level, with 89% rating the overall value for money as excellent/very good. The visitor survey also highlighted the continuing popularity of the event, with repeat customer attendance in 2023 at 50.75%, coupled with a repeat customer enjoyment level score of 92.06%, confirming a growing trend in customer loyalty. Customer satisfaction levels have significantly increased, with 72% enjoyed the event more compared to their previous visit (48% in 2022), and almost all (99%) rating the stewarding team as excellent/very good.

Monique McArdle, event producer at The Enchanted Forest, said: “This report confirms the significant impact Scotland’s favourite sound and light show has on the economy of Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire every autumn, with an impressive £10.38 million boost. With the majority of respondents to the online survey confirming that the event is their only reason for visiting the area, the economic  ripple effect of the event cannot be underestimated.

“Whilst the impact of the unprecedented weather conditions last year necessitated four show cancellations, costing the region roughly £1.2 million, The Enchanted Forest has been and remains a  Key driver in transforming a traditionally quiet time of year in Highland Perthshire into a significant period of tourism, and it continues to have a major role to play in showcasing Pitlochry and wider Highland Perthshire as a tourism destination. We’re also delighted that customer satisfaction continues to be high, and with over half of our visitors having been before, we know it’s now a mainstay of the tourism calendar in Highland Perthshire and a must-see annually for thousands of people from all over the world. In order for us to raise the bar year on year we listen carefully to all visitor feedback and aim to improve the event and visitor experience as much as we can to ensure all visitors have a great time.”

Angus John MacLellan, owner of Victoria’s Restaurant and The Old Mill Inn, Pitlochry, said: “The Enchanted Forest as an event is incredibly valuable to the area and to our businesses in Pitlochry. The Influx of visitors provides a welcome boost to business and extends the busy summer season into a traditionally quieter time of year allowing us to continue operating at peak levels. During Covid times, the event was greatly missed, and we see it as being a vital part of the area’s draw. It brings families and visitors that many not ordinarily come to the area outside of the event, spending and contributing to the local economy.”

Brian Wishart, General Manager at Fisher’s Hotel, Pitlochry, added: “The Enchanted Forest significantly boosts the hotel during the event, from both a rooms and a food point of view. We are delighted to work with The Enchanted Forest and hope that the event continues to bring visitors to Pitlochry.”

The success of the 2023 Enchanted Forest show has enabled organisers behind the award-winning show, The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, to award a record number of grants to registered charities operating in Highland Perthshire. As part of the trust’s ethos to give back to the local community in which the event has called its home for over twenty years, the highest ever figure of £97,815 has been awarded to twenty-six organisations.

Tickets for the 2024 show are currently on sale, which takes place 3 October to 3 November. The show theme will be revealed in June. To book tickets, or to find out more information, please visit: www.enchantedforest.org.uk.

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, the charitable organisation behind Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest, established for the economic benefit of the community, has awarded a record number of grants to registered charities operating in Highland Perthshire – the highest ever figure of £97,815 to 26 organisations.

Having also received the highest ever number of applications this year, the Enchanted Forest Community Fund was set up in 2015 to redistribute the proceeds from the annual event to the local community in Highland Perthshire. This year the fund was open to registered charities operating within Highland Perthshire who could apply for up to £10,000 from the fund to finance projects. The charity specifically sought applications that focused on helping people in need with the cost of living crisis, help with battling child poverty and focus on child welfare and increase inclusion, enablement, independence, mental health and wellbeing.

The Trust was also looking for projects which increase access to employment, volunteering, learning, culture, sport, and leisure opportunities and aim to improve infrastructure which benefits the community and promotes sustainability through best practices.

One of the 26 charities to receive grant funding is the Upper Tay Anti-Poverty Support Group, a charitable body founded during the pandemic to support people struggling financially in Highland Perthshire, covering a mostly rural area, stretching from Logierait, Ballinluig, Grandtully to Aberfeldy, Dull and Weem. The support offered by the group includes providing laptops for Ukrainians recently moved to the area, supporting flood victims living in Ballinluig and providing financial support for schools to provide breakfast clubs for pupils who otherwise wouldn’t eat. According to the Local Child Poverty Action Report 2022/23, produced by Perth and Kinross Council and NHS Tayside, 5,914 children (21.9%) in Perth and Kinross are living in relative poverty.

Judy Ewer, founder and member of the Upper Tay Anti-Poverty working group, which includes representatives from local churches, schools, the community warden, and other support groups such as Christians Against Poverty and Breathe Youth Project, said: “We’re absolutely delighted with the funding received from the Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which enables us to continue to offer support to those who find themselves in unexpected financial difficulties through no fault of their own. We are able to come alongside them and offer them financial support, which has a massive positive impact on their mental health and general wellbeing. As we know financial stress can be a huge burden. We have an upper limit on the amount given to each case, and the charity trustees scrutinise every case to ensure the right amount of funds are reaching the right people.”

Established just over a year ago, Pitlochry Community Action Trust is another charity to receive grant funding from the Enchanted Forest Community Trust. The charity exists to deliver the priorities laid out in the community action plan which was developed in consultation with local residents’ to gather their thoughts and feelings about how Pitlochry could be improved.

Beth Taylor, Development Officer at the Pitlochry Community Action Trust, said: “We’re so grateful to be awarded this grant from The Enchanted Forest Community Trust. Three different projects will be benefitting from the funding;  each of these focus on improving the general environment of Pitlochry for residents and visitors alike. This includes improving signage, installing new waste bins throughout the town, and  looking into the feasibility of taking community ownership of the town hall.”

Other charities operating in Highland Perthshire awarded grant funding include the Pitlochry Community First Responders, The Sunshine Box who supply new toys, books, games, toiletries and pyjamas to children in hospital in NHS Tayside who might be going for painful or frightening procedures, and Christians Against Poverty, Aberfeldy, who exist to provide free, personalised, local debt advice and budgeting support to anyone in Highland Perthshire.

Nela Popovic, Executive Director of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said: “Thanks to the success of the 2023 Enchanted Forest event we’ve been able to give back over £97,000 to 26 registered charities operating in the Highland Perthshire region, this is almost twice as much as was awarded in 2023. The show would not be the success it is without the support of the local Highland Perthshire community, and giving back to the community is our way of saying a big thank you, whilst also supporting many very worthy charities who are doing some incredible work in Highland Perthshire.

“Our desire is that the Enchanted Forest Community Fund is a force for good, creating a lasting positive impact and legacy within the community in which the event has called its home for the last twenty-plus years. It’s fantastic to see this vision come to life through the many charities and community groups we have supported and continue to support through the fund.”

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust requires that all charities who have received the grant funding report back on how they have used their money in relation to their request, demonstrating how it has helped people in need with the cost of living crisis in the Highland Perthshire area; increased inclusion, enablement, independence, mental health and wellbeing; increased access to employment, volunteering, learning, culture, sport and leisure opportunities and improved infrastructure that benefits the community.

To access the full list of the successful charities, please visit: The Community – The Enchanted Forest

A volunteer in Highland Perthshire has been responsible for ensuring Highland Perthshire pupils most in need have been fed and clothed since the pandemic through the formation of charitable body, the Upper Tay Anti-Poverty Support Group.

Along with those in her church, Judy Ewer saw a need to help those in her community who were really struggling financially. Starting with a whip round in her church to help those desperately in need, Judy realised a more permanent solution was required for accessing funds that could be distributed to people in her community who really needed the support.

Covering a mostly rural area, stretching from Logierait, Ballinluig, Grandtully to Aberfeldy, Dull and Weem, the Upper Tay Anti-Poverty Support Group has been able to raise £40,000 to date through various grants and funds, including £5,000 from the Enchanted Forest Community Trust fund. All the money has been distributed to people in need in the region. According to the Local Child Poverty Action Report 2022/23, produced by Perth and Kinross Council and NHS Tayside, 5,914 children (21.9%) in Perth and Kinross are living in relative poverty.

The Upper Tay Anti-Poverty working group includes representatives from local churches, schools, the community warden, and other support groups such as Christians Against Poverty and Breathe Youth Project. The group meets regularly to determine what the needs are and where the funding should go. They raise funds for particular needs, such as laptops for Ukrainians who have moved to Highland Perthshire and recently, they held a bring-and-buy sale for flood victims living in Ballinluig, raising over £2,300.

Children at Breadalbane Academy are just one of the groups and individuals who have been able to benefit from the financial support offered by the Upper Tay Anti-Poverty Support Group, which has allowed the school to provide breakfast for pupils who aren’t able to get it at home, called ‘soft start’; supplied food vouchers direct to families most in need and provided a bank of spare PE kit for the school so those who can’t afford it don’t have to suffer the stigma. Children have also been supported on an individual basis according to need, such as those who need bed clothing.

During the summer holidays, the Upper Tay Anti-Poverty support group has funded places for children to attend outdoor courses at Beyond Adventure and Wee Adventures, for those families who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford it.

Anna Glover, Principal Teacher of Support at Breadalbane Academy, said: “The funds provided by the Upper Tay Anti-Poverty Support Group has helped us to support pupils at the start of the school day, ensuring they receive a good breakfast to set them up ready for learning. They have basically helped us to enable pupils to attend school, by providing essential items such as school uniform that some families cannot afford. For instance, pupils can help themselves to clothes for PE out of a PE locker we have at school. There are no questions asked and pupils do not have to suffer the stigma of not having the appropriate school uniform. We are very grateful for their support.”

Ross Dempster, Managing Director of Beyond Adventure, said: “The Upper Tay Anti-Poverty Group is an essential service in our local community that strives to ensure that every child gets equal opportunity, no matter what their situation is. For the last two years they have secured funding to allow Beyond Adventure to run activity days for local kids that would otherwise not get the chance to explore the outdoors with us. Organising everything from lunches to making sure the children have the correct clothing for the outdoors, they are truly an organisation that cares. The kids that come out on activity with us are fantastic, they are always fun filled days that will be the highlight of the school holidays for many of them!”

Nela Popovic, Executive Director of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, the charitable organisation behind Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest, and one of the sources of funding for the Upper Tay Anti-Poverty Support Group, said: “We’re delighted to have been able to support the Upper Tay Anti-Poverty Support Group with finance which has really been making a difference to those most in need in the Highland Perthshire area. Our desire is that the Enchanted Forest Community Fund is a force for good, creating a lasting positive impact and legacy within the community in which the event has called its home for the last twenty-plus years.”

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust has now launched its 2024 Community Fund and is accepting applications from registered charities and community interest companies (CICs) in the Highland Perthshire area. To download an application form, please visit: www.enchantedforest.org.uk. Completed application forms should be returned no later than 31 March 2024.

Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest, is to feature on BBC One this December as part of a new Christmas cookery show with national treasure Mary Berry, entitled ‘Mary’s Highland Christmas.’

The legendary cook paid a visit to The Enchanted Forest back in October to film for an episode in the festive series, with staff sworn to secrecy about her visit. While at the event, Mary enjoyed a short walk around the forest, experiencing the beautiful lights and enjoying a cup of luxury hot chocolate and marshmallows by the fire to warm up afterwards.

The show sees Mary traveling to the Highlands on a winter break, cooking up some indulgent dishes that can be enjoyed at any time over the festive season. The series is particularly poignant and meaningful for Mary as her mother hailed from Highland Scotland. Audiences will have the opportunity to recreate some of Mary’s favourite Christmas dishes, as well as those steeped in Scottish tradition such as a Cranachan wreath, indulgent cheese fondue and her classic Buche de Noel.

The series also features Mary enjoying some magical days out with friends, including reindeer herding, to enjoying Christmas carollers and a traditional ceilidh, also filmed in Highland Perthshire, to experiencing the dazzling display and delights of Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest.

Mary Berry said: “Christmas in Scotland is the biggest treat, my mother and her family were Scottish so it is a special place for me. The festive holidays are all about sharing special times with friends and family and so what better way than cooking some of my favourite dishes with a traditional Scottish twist. Joined by special guests and surrounded by beautiful scenery, these are recipes which can be used all over the festive season and I can’t wait to share Mary’s Berry’s Christmas with BBC One viewers.”

Nela Popovic, executive director of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said: “Our team were delighted to welcome Mary Berry along to the event this year and there was a real buzz on site when the audience realised who it was that was walking along the path on the night as we’d all been sworn to secrecy by the film crew as the show hadn’t been announced yet by the BBC. Mary was an absolute delight to host, spoke to a number of the team about the charities in the community that the event supports, and commented that she thoroughly enjoyed her time at the show. We can’t wait to see the episode when it airs in December!

“We’re also pleased to share that for those curious to see our award winning show, tickets for the 2024 event are now on sale at 2023 prices for a limited time until the end of December.”

Mary’s Highland Christmas will air in December and will be shown on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. It will be broadcast on PBS in the USA on 18th December.