The Enchanted Forest sound and light show has announced the winner of its Voice of the Enchanted Forest competition as seven-year-old Jessica McIntosh.

Jessica, from Auchterarder, beat 150 other entrants in a competition that attracted auditions from children all over the country. Jessica’s prize is to record a script to be used during the five-week-long event at Pitlochry’s Faskally Wood from October 3 to November 4.

Jessica, who attends Auchterarder Primary School in Perthshire, stood out from the other entrants because of her “super-cute, bright and smiley” voice, said the organisers. As the Voice of The Enchanted Forest, Jessica will welcome tens of thousands of visitors and inform them of important health and safety information as they travel by bus from Pitlochry to Faskally Wood for the show.

Jessica recorded her message with the help of presenter Claire Kinnaird at Radio Tay this week which, along with sister stations Radio Forth and Radio Clyde, was a co-sponsor of the competition. Part of her prize was a VIP tour of the station, and an invitation to a special preview night of The Enchanted Forest. This will be Jessica’s third visit to the event.

Ian Sim, chairman of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said:

“Once again the judges were bowled over by both the number and quality of entrants to the Voice of the Enchanted Forest competition. It was an extremely difficult task to narrow down the shortlist, but Jessica stood out for her super-cute, bright and smiley voice, which is naturally clear, confident and friendly. We think Jessica’s voice will be a real hit with visitors as they travel to the forest.”

Jessica said:

“We listen to Radio Tay every morning and when I heard the announcement about the competition I knew I wanted to enter. I’ve been to The Enchanted Forest with my mum, dad and wee brother Daniel three times before and I can’t believe I’m going to be playing such an important part in the show!”

There are only a few thousand tickets remaining for this year’s Enchanted Forest show, Of The Wild, which runs from October 4 to November 4, 2018.

Persistence has finally paid off for a trio of Scottish motion-design artists who are returning to their roots this Autumn as part of the creative team behind the award-winning Enchanted Forest.

Adam Finlay from Glasgow, Elliot Thomson from Elgin and Keith Daniels from Caithness founded Newcastle-based NOVAK, a creative studio which specialises in producing innovative and ambitious art, design and motion-design projects.

NOVAK hit the headlines when they presented a spectacular projection mapped artwork onto the south façade of Brighton Pavilion. They have also presented work at the UK’s largest light festival, Lumiere, and the internationally renowned Singapore Night Festival. Their work has also featured alongside many critically acclaimed musicians at some of the world’s leading music events; including Glastonbury (UK), Coachella (USA), Fuji Rock (Japan) and Roskilde (Denmark).

Although now based south of the border, Scotland’s premier outdoor light and sound show has been on NOVAK’s radar for years, and the group has been seeking opportunities to collaborate with lighting designers Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes for some time.

Adam Finlay, Studio Director at NOVAK explained:

“Over the years, we met Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes, the lighting designers from the Enchanted Forest, at a few different events and we always took the opportunity to tell them how much we admired the show and would love to work with them. Our persistence paid off and Kate and Simon invited us to see last year’s show. The rest is history!”

This year, Adam, Elliot and Keith have been able to bring their ideas to the show’s creative mix and they are excited for people to see it for themselves when they enter Faskally Wood.

Adam continued: “It has been such a fun process working closely with Kate and Simon to refine our ideas and continue to compliment this year’s theme which is about the natural environment and the nature within. We don’t what to give too much away about what we’ve been working on, but there is a seasonal cyclical element to our contribution. Look out for something spectacular over the loch – you’ll know it when you see it.”

It has been particularly special for the team at NOVAK to be involved in an event closer to their families – many of whom are fans of The Enchanted Forest already.

Adam added: “My family live in Perth which is just down the road from Faskally Wood and they are big fans of the Enchanted Forest. They are delighted that we are part of the creative team behind this year’s show. I can’t wait for them to see our work in person in a show that they already love. It isn’t easy for us to bring our families to see the work we do, so it will be extra special to share this experience with them.”

Running from October 4 to November 4, the theme of this year’s Enchanted Forest is Of The Wild, and 80,000 visitors are expected to travel to Pitlochry to enjoy the mind-blowing light displays and interactive elements beautifully choreographed with originally composed music.

Over 73,000 visitors attended last year’s sold-out show Oir an Uisge (Gaelic for ‘Edge of the Water’), which was a four per cent increase on the previous record-breaking year. The Enchanted Forest brings in an estimated £3 million to the local economy.

The award-winning Enchanted Forest sound and light show is ploughing £6,000 into the event to improve accessibility for wheelchair users and disabled customers.

The investment in the Pitlochry event this October will include improved path access, increased access to the show’s catering and storytelling areas, and a state-of-the-art Mobiloo toilet. Together, the changes will enable many more visitors to gain accessibility to all parts of the show.

There will be improved path access for all visitors to Faskally Wood, where the event is held, and organisers have focused on increasing accessibility for wheelchair users in many areas where there is bark underfoot, installing matting on top of of the bark. This includes the storytelling yurt, which offers storytelling throughout the evening, and catering areas serving food and beverages.

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which puts on the event, has collaborated with Mobiloo, a charity which provides temporary disabled toilet facilities including a toilet with grab rails, an electronic hoist, and an adult-sized changing bench. Mobiloo will be provided in addition to the existing portable toilets.

The Trust, which expects to attract 80,000 visitors during the month-long run, was inspired by Euan’s Guide, the charity and disabled access review website which featured the 2017 show. Reviewer and blogger Claire D’All gave the event five stars but made several suggestions for improved accessibility.

Zoe Squair, Creative Producer of The Enchanted Forest, said:

“We take all of our customer comments seriously, whether they are in the form of comments to staff, social media posts or press reviews. While The Enchanted Forest has always had a good reputation for accessibility, there is always room for improvement. That’s why we wanted to step things up this year and pump a substantial amount of money into making things even better.”

Entitled Of The Wild, the 2018 Enchanted Forest show is firmly rooted in nature and inspired by the hidden mystery of Faskally Wood after dark. It runs from October 4 to November 4. Last year’s sell-out Enchanted Forest event attracted a record 73,000 visitors.

The Enchanted Forest has launched their search across Scotland for a child who can lend their voice to the award-winning event and welcome the tens of thousands of visitors expected to attend this October. The winning Voice will feature in a recording to be played to all visitors as they travel by bus from Pitlochry to the forest for the event, which organisers expect to be another sell-out.

This is the second year that the event has run the competition which has been developed in partnership with Bauer, owners of Tay FM, Clyde FM and Forth 1. It offers an exclusive experience for a budding young presenter to visit their local radio station, meet the presenters and to record their moment of glory in a professional studio.

Last year hundreds of young hopefuls entered from all over Scotland, with judges whittling it down to just one: 9 year old Robbie Low from Broughty Ferry near Dundee. Robbie visited Radio Tay to make his recording before also taking on the honour of opening The Enchanted Forest’s 2017 event, Oir an Uisge, and switching on all the lights on opening night!

Audition lines are now open for the Voice of The Enchanted Forest. Entry is open to children aged between 5 and 12.

The Voice will welcome visitors to the forest and remind them of some important health and safety messages. The winner will record a pre-written script at one of Bauer’s radio stations, get VIP access to the station, and be guest of honour at the show’s special preview night on Wednesday 3^rd October.

This year’s Enchanted Forest show, Of the Wild, runs from October 4th to November 4^th 2018. Event organisers The Enchanted Forest Community Trust have released a record 80,000 tickets for Of the Wild which are already selling quickly. The organisers fully expect the show to sell out before opening night.

Ian Sim, chairman of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said:

“Families and children are crucial to the success of The Enchanted Forest, which is why we’re delighted to be running this competition along with Bauer Radio for a second year running. Robbie was fantastic last year but we know there’s lots of young talent out there. We’re looking for a child with a voice that’s friendly, fun and assertive so that visitors will sit up and take notice as they’re bused to the event. The winner will get a sneak preview of the event, and some VIP treatment from us and our radio partners.”

Kelly Murdoch, account manager with Bauer Radio, said:

“The Enchanted Forest is a mainstay of Scotland’s events calendar so we’re excited to be on board with them for this unique competition. We can’t wait to hear from all the talented kids out there and also to invite them behind the scenes to one of our radio stations. We just hope they don’t put our DJs out of a job!”

To enter the competition, call 01738 700145 and follow the audition instructions or go to www.tayfm.co.uk, www.forth1.com and www.clyde1.com. Details are also at www.enchantedforest.org.uk. The competition runs until midnight on September 16^th.

The Enchanted Forest has announced Lov Events as caterers for its award-winning sound and light show.

The Bankfoot based catering and events business will provide its signature unique dishes nightly for the 80,000 visitors who are expected to visit the Pitlochry event, which runs from October 4 to November 4 at Faskally Wood in Perthshire.

Lov Events specialises in creating menus that boast a variety of locally sourced produce with a Scottish twist, from Perthshire burgers and Mexican street food to cooking up a storm on an Argentinian grill. Its offerings at The Enchanted Forest will include warming soups and hot chocolate, mulled wine, burgers with meat sourced from Perth butcher D.G. Lindsay, and a few surprises.

Lov Events has six years’ experience serving a range of unique, tasty dishes at world-renowned events such as The Ryder Cup, Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Silverstone and the Edinburgh Fringe.

Entitled Of The Wild, the 2018 Enchanted Forest show is firmly rooted in nature and inspired by the hidden mystery of Faskally Wood after dark.

Fraser Potter, Managing Director of Lov Events, said:

“We’re excited to be working on such a fun and internationally recognised event as The Enchanted Forest. And although this year’s show theme is one of hidden mystery, it’s no mystery what Lov Events will be doing – creating excellent locally sourced food with a Scottish and countryside theme.”

Ian Sim, Chairman of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which runs The Enchanted Forest, said:

“We’re delighted to announced Lov Events as our catering partners. We always look to source the best in their field and, where possible, home-grown talent. I believe Lov Events ticks both of those boxes.”

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, organisers of the multi award-winning sound and light show near Pitlochry, has announced three official charities to benefit from this year’s event. 

Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, The Birks Cinema Trust and Blairgowrie Riding for Disabled have been chosen as the official charity partners for 2018. These organisations will not only benefit financially but will be promoted extensively during the run of the month-long extravaganza.

Now in its 17th year, the theme of this year’s show is still under wraps but will incorporate the dazzling visuals, innovative design and original music score which has made The Enchanted Forest Scotland’s premier sound and light event.

Set against the stunning natural backdrop of Faskally Wood, organisers The Enchanted Forest Community Trusty use Scotland’s premier creative talents to produce a state-of-the-art show which has won numerous awards, most recently being named Best Cultural Event Finalist in the 2017 Scottish Thistle Awards.

Over 73,000 visitors attended last year’s sold-out show Oir an Uisge (Gaelic for ‘Edge of the Water’), which was a four per cent increase on the previous record-breaking year.

The event brings in an estimated £3 million to the local economy. Tickets have been made available on pre-sale to previous customers and, with sales already soaring over last year, customers are advised to book early to avoid disappointment.

Ian Sim, Chairman of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said:

“The Enchanted Forest Community Trust is delighted to be working with these three key charities, giving them additional exposure of their good work and a platform to promote their key objectives.”

Dougie Baird, Chief Executive Officer, Outdoor Access Trust for Scotland, said:

“We are delighted to have been chosen as one of the three 2018 charity partners by the Enchanted Forest and feel proud to be associated with such a fantastic organisation. Being able to raise our profile by working with the Enchanted Forest will be of huge benefit to our organisation and any funds raised will directly benefit public access for those in Scotland.”

John Freeman, Chair of The Birks Cinema Trust, said:

“The Birks Cinema Trust is thrilled to have been chosen as a 2018 charity partner for by the award winning Enchanted Forest. Funds raised will primarily support our wide-ranging community activities programme and we are excited that working with Enchanted Forest’s woodland wonderland experience will raise awareness.”

Louise Burrell, Treasurer, Blairgowrie Riding for Disabled, said:

“Blairgowrie Riding for the Disabled is excited to be selected as one of the named charities for Enchanted Forest 2018. This volunteer run charity provides therapeutic riding and fun for some of the most vulnerable children in our community. Riding is a fantastic platform for learning, personal development and therapy – as well as being a fun and healthy activity in its own right. Last year our five ponies and a fabulous team of volunteers provided services to seven Perthshire primary schools and we hope to at least match this in 2018. It is a joy to watch the children progress as they learn new skills. In the future we hope to offer our services to more Perthshire schools and be able to offer older children and adults an opportunity to ride. The group is already looking at increasing the scope of activities and additional support from the Enchanted Forest will be enormously helpful in developing exciting plans for the future of Blairgowrie RDA.”

This year’s Enchanted Forest will run from October 4 to November 4 and tickets will go on sale to the public in June 2018.