The Enchanted Forest – October 2012

The Enchanted Forest’s storytelling yurt is an annual favourite for visitors to the award-winning sound and light event. But this year the tent is more magical than ever, with sensory stories, special guests and an international storyteller from Poland.

Resident storytellers Lindsey Gibb, Claire Hewitt and Owen Pilgrim who perform nightly for ticketholders at the cost of just £1 per person, will be joined by Scots and Polish tale tellers, a local musician and a herbalist during the month-long event.

Claire is also treating visitors to sensory stories. Once a week she is using sensory story boxes which include puppets and tactile objects to tell tales aimed particularly at young children and adults with learning difficulties.

This year’s storytelling guests feature:

Sheila Kinninmonth on Friday 13th October. Hailing from Fife, Sheila is a storyteller and author of Fife Folktales. Her storytelling style is fun and interactive, providing kids and adults a chance to break out of the audience and contribute to the story.

Munro Gauld on Friday 27th October. Munro is a local musician who has played woodwind instruments for both formal and informal events, and he takes his ideas from the rich history and culture of Perthshire. Munro and resident storyteller Lindsey Gibb have created ‘Flute of the Forest’, a musical tale especially for the Enchanted Forest, which will be showcased alternately throughout the night with a local traditional musical tale.

Gosia Litwinowicz on Thursday 26th October. Gosia is Artistic Director of the famed Warsaw International Storytelling Festival. Her appearance is part of the Scottish International Storytelling Festival 2017, which kicks off on the same day. Gosia’s stories are inspired by fantasy as well as reality, drawing from biographies and everyday events, as well as magic worlds and creatures from literature. Gosia, Lindsey and Claire will share both Scottish and Polish stories for a magical and unique night of culture at the Forest.

Amanda Edminston on Saturday 28th October. Amanda, a former student of herbal medicine, brings a new twist to the art of storytelling with her folklore, drawing upon the history of using plants.

Lindsey Gibb, who has been in The Enchanted Forest’s storytelling yurt for five years, said:

“The yurt is a popular stop-off every year for visitors to The Enchanted Forest and this year it’s no different. We’re thrilled to have these guests this year, and to link up with The Scottish International Storytelling Festival makes it extra special.”

The Enchanted Forest sound and light show has been declared “the best one yet” by visitors at the same time as the event was named a finalist in the Scottish Thistle Awards.

The news of the event’s shortlisting for Best Cultural Event in Central, Fife and Tayside came as the 2017 show made history for selling out before it opened to the public last week.

“Amazing”, “awesome”, “incredible” and “the best one yet” were just some of the comments in a video that captures visitors’ delight at this year’s show, Oir an Uisge. The dazzling spectacle was produced by Zoe Squair and designed by lighting designers Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes. The original music score is by RJ McConnell and Jon Beales.

The Scottish Thistle Awards shortlisting – for the hugely successful 2016 show, shimmer – is the fourth in a row for this popular Autumn event which takes place at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry.

Tickets to Oir an Uisge sold out just hours before the show opened. The name is Gaelic for “Edge of the Water” and is inspired by its natural setting of Faskally Wood and Loch Dunmore. There are elements of Scottish folk music in the score, and instruments used include whistles, recorders and crumhorn, as well as orchestral sounds of strings, percussion and harp.

A record 72,000 tickets were released for Oir an Uisge. Proceeds from the official opening night, September 28th, will benefit the show’s three chosen charities this year: Tayside Mountain Rescue, Alzheimer Scotland and Giraffe. The Enchanted Forest runs until October 29th, 2017.

Enchanted Forest 2017 preview night

The Enchanted Forest sound and light show has launched tonight with an event that is edgier than ever – and sold out before the run even began.

The name of this year’s show, Oir an Uisge, is Gaelic for Edge of the Water. And this year the creatives behind the show have taken that theme literally and come up with a sound and light spectacular inspired by its natural setting of Faskally Wood and Loch Dunmore. The dazzling visuals include a multitude of spectacular water effects, state of the art lighting technologies and exciting new artist installations. Oir an Uisge also features a music score that combines contemporary with traditional. There are elements of Scottish folk music and instruments such as whistles, recorders and crumhorn, as well as orchestral sounds of strings, percussion and harp.

For the first time, The Enchanted Forest show sold out before opening to the public on Thursday night, 28th September. A record 72,000 tickets were released. Lucky competition winners attended a preview night on September 27th. Proceeds from the official opening night, September 28th, will benefit the show’s three chosen charities this year: Tayside Mountain Rescue, Alzheimer Scotland and Giraffe.

Ian Sim, chairman of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which operates the event, said:

“It’s phenomenal to see how much The Enchanted Forest event has grown in its 16 years. It began as a three-night event with 1500 visitors. Today it’s one of Scotland’s, and the U.K.’s, must-see Autumn happenings.

“Thanks must go to the brilliant creative time and producers of the show, as well as our very talented operations team, all of whom make Faskally Wood come alive every October to be transformed into an enchanted forest.”

This year, for the first time, the show organisers ran a competition to find The Voice of the Enchanted Forest. Hundreds of children from all over Scotland auditioned with a prize of recording a health and safety announcement that is played to visitors as they are bused from Pitlochry to the forest for the event. The winner was Robbie Low, a 9-year-old from Broughty Ferry who attended a preview and helped open the show. The competition was launched in acknowledgement of Visit Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, which will celebrate the very best of Scotland and its young people.

Enchanted Forest 2017 preview night

With only a few thousand tickets remaining for this year’s Enchanted Forest show, organisers are urging the public to book quickly to avoid disappointment.

Perthshire’s multi-award-winning sound and light show released a record 70,000 tickets for sale this year. Following a swift run on ticket sales, all weekends are sold out. There is still some availability Mondays to Thursdays, especially later shows after 8.30pm.

Organisers are expecting that the full show run will sell out before it begins next Thursday September 28th. It runs until October 29th 2017.

Ian Sim, chairman of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which operates the event, said:

“The show has grown from the strength to strength and last year’s was record-breaking, with just over 70,000 visitors in attendance. We’re delighted there is so much interest again this year, making it by far the most popular show to date. However, we would advise those who haven’t yet booked to do so as soon as possible.”

The 2017 show, Oir an Uisge – Scots Gaelic for ‘Edge of the Water’ – is reflective of the changing scenery of Faskally Wood in Pitlochry, where the event is held annually. Proceeds from the first night will benefit three charities – Tayside Mountain Rescue, Alzheimer Scotland and Giraffe

The Enchanted Forest sound and light show has announced the winner of its Voice of the Enchanted Forest competition as 9-year-old Robbie Low.

Robbie, from Broughty Ferry, beat 295 other entrants in a competition that attracted auditions from children all over the country. Robbie’s prize is to record a script to be used during the month-long event at Pitlochry’s Faskally Wood this October.

Robbie, who attends Barnhill Primary School in Broughty Ferry, stood out from the other entrants because of his “naturally warm” voice, said the organisers. As the Voice of The Enchanted forest, Robbie 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.

Robbie will record his message at Radio Tay which, along with sister stations Radio Forth and Radio Clyde, was a partner in the competition. Part of his prize will be a VIP tour of the station, and an invitation to a special preview night of The Enchanted Forest. This will be Robbie’s first visit to the event.

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

“We were floored by the number of entrants to the Voice of the Enchanted Forest competition, and the quality was very high. It was tough narrowing down the shortlist, but Robbie stood out for his distinctive voice, which is friendly, confident and naturally warm. We think Robbie’s voice will be a real hit with visitors as they travel to the forest.”

Robbie said:

“My mum listens to Radio Tay and she heard the announcement about the competition. I’ve never been to The Enchanted Forest and I can’t believe I’m going to be playing such an important part in the show!”
There are only a few thousands tickets remaining for this year’s Enchanted Forest show, Oir an Uisge, which runs from September 28th to October 29th 2017.”

The composers behind the award-winning Enchanted Forest sound and light show have given a sneak peek behind the making of this year’s show, “Oir an Uisge”.

RJ McConnell and Jon Beales, who create an original music score for the annual event in Pitlochry, worked with producer Ben Seal at his Fife studio for what may be their most challenging and impressive sound backdrop yet. And with the release of video and photographs documenting the process, for the first time the public is getting a sneak peek at what promises to be the event’s most successful show yet.

In keeping with the Gaelic name of the show (Oir an Uisge means “Edge of the Water”), RJ and Jon have brought shades of Scottish folk to this year’s music. They developed a score that brings together traditional instruments with orchestral instruments, synthesizers and digital effects. The pair brought in more live musicians than ever before, including fiddler Pete Clark and musician/actor John Sampson on recorder, trumpet and crumhorn.

Edinburgh-based John Sampson is a frequent collaborator with Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy. Pete Clark – shown in a short video released by The Enchanted Forest organisers – lives in Perthshire not far from Pitlochry’s Faskally Wood, the site of the show. Pete, who has released eight albums, is director of the Niel Gow Scottish fiddle festival, now in its 15th year. He divides his time between teaching and performing and is a graduate biologist and avid angler who is “passionate” about the Scottish countryside.

Pete Clark said:

“I have always been inspired by the Perthshire landscape that surrounds me and I’m passionate about Scotland’s wild places, so I was delighted when The Enchanted Forest organisers approached me to take part in recording the musical score. I think what they’ve come up with beautifully captures the Celtic undertones of this year’s show. It really was a pleasure to be involved.”

RJ McConnell said:

“This year was definitely more of a challenge for Jon and me, but in a good way! We’ve incorporated elements of Scottish folk music whilst keeping the score contemporary and strongly hinting at the “edge of the water” theme of Oir an Uisge. The score brings together traditional instruments such as whistles, recorders and crumhorn with our orchestral instruments – strings, percussion, harp and brass. We also used many electronic voices from various synthesizers and digital effects. So the score has quite a mixture of sounds! We think we have created something that will appeal to all ages.”

Ticket sales for this year’s Enchanted Forest have smashed through the 50,000 mark, making “Oir an Uisge” the fastest selling show in the event’s 16-year history.

Event organisers, The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, released a record 72,000 tickets and fully expect that, for the first year, the event will sell out completely before the opening night. This year the Trust has launched the Voice of The Enchanted Forest competition, calling for children aged between 5 and 12 to audition to record a script to be used during the month-long event.

“Oir an Uisge” opens to the public on Thursday September 28th with proceeds from that night benefiting three charities: Tayside Mountain Rescue, Alzheimer Scotland and Giraffe.

Ticket sales for this year’s Enchanted Forest have smashed through the 50,000 mark this week, making “Oir an Uisge” the fastest selling show in the event’s 16-year history. Event organisers, The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, released a record 72,000 tickets and fully expect that, for the first year, the event will sell out completely before the opening night.

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

“This year’s ‘Oir an Uisge’ show is set to be stunning and will show Faskally Wood and its loch in a whole new light, quite literally. We can’t emphasise strongly enough that people should buy tickets in advance to ensure they secure a chance to visit.”

This month has also seen the launch of the Voice of The Enchanted Forest competition, calling for children aged between 5 and 12 to record a script to be used during the month-long event at Pitlochry’s Faskally Wood this October.

Telephone auditions are currently open to find the winning Voice, which will appear in a recording to be played to tens of thousands of visitors as they travel by bus from Pitlochry to the forest for the event. The Voice will welcome visitors to the forest and remind them of some important health and safety messages.

The competition is being run in conjunction with Bauer Radio and its Radio Tay, Radio Forth and Radio Clyde stations. The winner will record a pre-written script at one of the three radio stations, get VIP access to the station, and be guest of honour at the show’s special preview night on 27th September. To enter the competition, call 01738 700140 and follow the audition instructions. The competition runs until midnight on September 12th. “Oir an Uisge” opens to the public on Thursday September 28th with proceeds from that night benefiting three charities: Tayside Mountain Rescue, Alzheimer Scotland and Giraffe.

The Enchanted Forest sound and light show is looking for a child who can lend their voice to the award-winning event.

Auditions are open for the Voice of The Enchanted Forest competition, which is calling for children aged between 5 and 12 to record a script to be used during the month-long event at Pitlochry’s Faskally Wood this October.

The winning Voice will appear in a recording to be played to tens of thousands of visitors as they travel by bus from Pitlochry to the forest for the event, which organisers expect to be another sell-out. The Voice will welcome visitors to the forest and remind them of some important health and safety messages.

The competition is being run in conjunction with Bauer Radio and its Radio Tay, Radio Forth and Radio Clyde stations. The winner will record a pre-written script at one of the three radio stations, get VIP access to the station, and be guest of honour at the show’s special preview night on 27th September.

This year’s Enchanted Forest show, Oir an Uisge, runs from September 28th to October 29th 2017. Event organisers The Enchanted Forest Community Trust have released a record 72,000 tickets for Oir an Uisge, which are already selling fast. The organisers fully expect the show to sell out before opening night for the first time in its history.

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. 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, sales and events coordinator 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 700140 and follow the audition instructions
or go to www.tayfm.co.uk, www.forth1.com and www.clyde1.com.

The competition runs until midnight on September 12th

A generous donation from The Enchanted Forest will benefit Highland Perthshire’s bat population.

The multi-award-winning sound and light show has donated £500 to Tayside Bat Group (TBG) to install around 30 bat boxes in Faskally Wood, near Pitlochry.

The boxes will be put in place by TBG volunteers at the beginning of September in a strip of trees along the edge of the loch.

Brian Simpson, Enchanted Forest Trustee, said: “As a charitable trust we are delighted to be able to direct proceeds towards this important Tayside conservation organisation.

“As the show goes from strength to strength, it is extremely heartening to be able to support the ecology in Faskally Wood which is so important to the continued success of The Enchanted Forest.”

Forest Enterprise Scotland’s Environment Manager in the area, Graeme Findlay, welcomed the donation.

He continued: “We’re delighted to be involved in this partnership and the work to help bats locally.

“The forest already provides suitable habitat for a range of bat species but these boxes will increase available roosting sites for them.

“It’s great that the event organisers are helping biodiversity like this and we’re working with the other partners to look at what wider biodiversity benefits the event might have for the local area.”

The Enchanted Forest employs Scotland’s premier creative talents to produce a state-of-the art show set against the stunning natural backdrop of Faskally Wood near Pitlochry every Autumn.

The 2017 show – entitled Oir an Uisge, Scots Gaelic for “Edge of the Water” – is led by the multi-award-winning creative team of Zoe Squair as producer, Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes as lighting designers, and RJ McConnell and Jon Beales providing sound design and composition.

Tickets are already selling fast and customers are advised to book early this year to avoid disappointment.

Tricia Fox, marketing manager of The Enchanted Forest, commented: “Demand for tickets grows year on year and I cannot emphasise strongly enough that people should buy tickets in advance to ensure they secure a chance to visit this year.”

Now in its 16th year, The Enchanted Forest has won numerous awards, most recently being crowned winner of the coveted Best Cultural Event at the UK Events Awards in London last winter. The event also holds the current title of Best Large Event and the Chairman’s Award, and is three times winner of Best Cultural Event at the Scottish Event Awards.

The Enchanted Forest takes place from Thursday, September 28 to Sunday, October 29 at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. Tickets will be on sale to the public from Friday, June 16 at 10am at www.enchantedforest.org.uk

Tickets for the Charity Night on Thursday, September 28 will also be available to book by visiting www.enchantedforest.org.uk/charity

2017 event is named Oir an Uisge, Scots Gaelic for “Edge of the Water”

Charity night boost for Tayside Mountain Rescue, Alzheimer Scotland and Giraffe

The Enchanted Forest, Perthshire’s multi-award-winning sound and light show, has announced it has released 70,000 tickets for this year’s event, with tickets going on sale to the general public on Friday, June 16.

The 2017 show, entitled Oir an Uisge, Scots Gaelic for “Edge of the Water”, is reflective of the changing scenery of Faskally Wood in Pitlochry where the event is held annually. It will open to the public on Thursday, September 28.

Proceeds from the first night will benefit three charities – Tayside Mountain Rescue, Alzheimer Scotland and Giraffe.

Just over 70,000 visitors attended last year’s show which was a 13% increase on the previous record-breaking year. Tickets have been made available already by private pre-sale to previous customers and demand has been brisk with over 20,000 tickets snapped up. Saturday nights are all but sold out and customers are advised to book early this year to avoid disappointment with organisers predicting that the event will sell out before opening night for the first time in its history.

The Enchanted Forest employs Scotland’s premier creative talents to produce a state-of-the art show set against the stunning natural backdrop of Faskally Wood near Pitlochry every October.

Organised by The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, the event is renowned for its use of dazzling visuals, innovative design and an original music score.

Now in its 16th year, The Enchanted Forest has won numerous awards, most recently being crowned winner of the coveted Best Cultural Event at the UK Events Awards in London last winter. The event also holds the current title of Best Large Event and the Chairman’s Award, and is three times winner of Best Cultural Event at the Scottish Event Awards.

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

“Every year The Enchanted Forest lights up the countryside of Perthshire and boosts our local tourist trade. But it also lights up the lives of the Scottish community through our charity donations, and as a charitable trust that is what we are here to do. We’re delighted to be able to direct proceeds towards three highly important organisations in Tayside and Scotland. As the show goes from strength to strength, so our charitable net widens, which is extremely heartening.”

The three chosen charities have expressed their delight at being picked as this year’s Enchanted Forest beneficiaries.

Giraffe was established 11 years ago and operates on behalf of people across Perth & Kinross and more widely in Tayside. Its work supports people with severe and complex barriers, such as learning disabilities, autism and mental ill health, to make the transition into meaningful work.

Gareth Ruddock, Giraffe’s Chief Executive Officer, said:

“We are ecstatic to have been chosen as a charity partner for The Enchanted Forest. Primarily, the funding will be used towards supporting our fantastic client group but additionally, being associated with and working with such an excellent organisation as The Enchanted Forest, will inevitably raise the profile of our organisation and the work we do, as well as helping in raising awareness of the benefits of employing our clients.”

Stuart Johnson, Tayside Mountain Rescue Team Leader, continued:

“The majority of funds raised for our charity are donated by the good will and generosity of people who live in our operational area. We are humbled and appreciative of all donations which go to designated expenditure and operating costs. We are delighted to be chosen as one of The Enchanted Forest charities and thank everyone for the financial support given towards the life-saving work TMRT deliver. Our voluntary team members are the fourth busiest of 28 mountain rescue teams in Scotland.”

Fiona Lewis, Corporate Fundraiser at Alzheimer Scotland, added:

“Alzheimer Scotland is very excited to be supported by the award-winning Enchanted Forest. We are sure guests will enjoy being dazzled by the woodland wonderland whilst raising funds for our vital support services.”

The 2017 show is led by the multi-award-winning creative team of Zoe Squair as producer, Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes as lighting designers, and RJ McConnell and Jon Beales providing sound design and composition.

Tricia Fox, marketing manager of The Enchanted Forest, commented:

“Demand for tickets grows year on year and I cannot emphasise strongly enough that people should buy tickets in advance to ensure they secure a chance to visit this year.”

The Enchanted Forest takes place from Thursday, September 28 to Sunday, October 29 at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. Tickets will be on sale to the public from Friday, June 16 at 10am at www.enchantedforest.org.uk

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, organisers of the award-winning sound and light show in the woods, has awarded a whopping £10,000 to a range of worthy projects in Highland Perthshire.
This is the fourth year that such a fund has been available, and the good causes range from a Girl Guide trip to Switzerland, to a Christmas Market in Pitlochry, and the purchase of new Neighbourhood Watch signs. Full list as follows:

£1,600 – Highland Mainline Community Partnership

£1,500 – The Atholl Centre.

£1,200 – Pitlochry Winter Lighting Project.

£1,000 – Soldiers of Killiecrankie.

£1,000 – Pitlochry Paths Group.

£600 – Pitlochry in Bloom.

£550 – Pitlochry Baptist Church.

£500 – Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Bagpipe Band.

£500 – March Into Pitlochry Music Festival.

£500 – Pitlochry Christmas Market.

£500 – Girlguiding Dunkeld and Pitlochry.

£300 – Biodynamic garden at Camserney.

£250 – Pitlochry and District Neighbourhood Watch.

The 2016 show, shimmer, marked The Enchanted Forest’s 15th year and has been widely hailed by visitors as the best event to date with many visitors taking to social media channels to express their delight at the spectacle. Just over 70,000 visitors attended last year’s show, a 13% increase on the previous record-breaking year.

It is estimated that the event’s impact on the local tourism economy is in excess of £3 million per annum with around 50% of all visitors to the event choosing to stay overnight in the area on their visit and over 90% citing the event as their main reason for visiting the area in Autumn.

Scotland’s premier sound and light show is a three-time winner of Best Cultural Event at the Scottish Event Awards and was recently crowned winner of the Rural Tourism & Hospitality Award at the 2016 Scottish Rural Awards.

Ian Sim, Chairman of The Enchanted Forest, said:

“2016’s shimmer extravaganza saw more people visiting The Enchanted Forest than ever before. This incredible support means we are able to fund a host of exciting local community projects. We’re delighted that our show helps make all of these projects possible, and visitors should feel proud that, just by visiting the show, they have done their bit to give back to the community and benefit the local area.”

This year’s Enchanted Forest will run from September 28 to October 29 and tickets will go on sale to the public in June 2017.

The Enchanted Forest, Perthshire’s multi-award winning sound and light show, presented each of the three 2016 charities with £5,000, following their successful charity evening opening night from this year’s show shimmer.

Three charities: Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, Kidney Kids Scotland and British Heart Foundation were all selected to benefit from this year’s show through ticket sales for the event’s opening night, which took place on Thursday 29th September. They each received a cheque for £5,000, bringing the total charitable donation from the 2016 show £15,000.

Karen Aycan, Trustee of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, presented the cheques. She commented:

“Not only does The Enchanted Forest light up Faskally Wood every October, boosting tourist trade in the quieter months, but it also lights up the lives of the Scottish community through our charity donations. We’re delighted to open the show each year with a special charity night, directing proceeds towards three highly important organisations in Scotland. As we grow, so does our ability to help different charities, which is extremely heartening.”

Receiving the cheque on behalf of Kidney Kids Scotland, Karen MacFarlane, Community Fundraiser, said:

“Kidney Kids Scotland were absolutely thrilled to be chosen as one of The Enchanted Forest charities for 2016 and are extremely grateful for their generous donation. The money raised will help children and their families from across the country suffering from renal and urological illness both directly and through our support for the paediatric renal services in Scottish hospitals.”

Murray Easton, Area Fundraising Manager for Scotland at British Heart Foundation commented:

“This is a fantastic donation from The Enchanted Forest and one which will go towards helping save lives in Scotland. Sadly, heart disease touches many families and it was wonderful to know that the families who came to enjoy the charity night were helping raise money for our life saving research.”

Fiona Dennis, Community Fundraiser at Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance, said:

“SCAA is extremely grateful for this support and for a donation that could mean the difference between life and death for someone in desperate need of an air ambulance when speed and urgent medical attention are critical factors in their chance of survival.”

The Enchanted Forest, which was recently crowned Best Cultural Event at the UK Event Awards, was once more headed up by the multi-award-winning creative team of Derek Allan as producer and creative director, Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes as lighting designers, and RJ McConnell and Jon Beales providing sound design and composition. Additional creative expertise was provided by leading creative companies including NL Productions, Squid Soup, 59 Productions and Vision Mechanics.

The 2016 show, shimmer, marked The Enchanted Forest’s 15th year and has been widely hailed by visitors as the best event to date with many visitors taking to social media channels to express their delight at the spectacle. Just over 70,000 visitors attended this year’s show, a 13% increase on the previous record-breaking year.

It is estimated that the event’s impact on the local tourism economy is expected to exceed £3 million per annum with around 50% of all visitors to the event choosing to stay overnight in the area on their visit and over 90% citing the event as their main reason for visiting the area this Autumn.