Enchanted Forest Community Trust makes record number of awards to a raft of worthy projects throughout Highland Perthshire

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, organisers of the multi-award-winning sound and light show in Pitlochry, has awarded a record £35,672 to over 30 worthy community projects in Highland Perthshire, an increase in awards of almost 100% on the previous year.

This is the sixth consecutive year that such a fund has been available, and the 33 good causes range from supporting Pitlochry in Bloom to support the restoration of the wildlife garden, to replacing the chanters and pipe bags of Edradour Pitlochry and Blair Atholl Pipe Band. Other notable donations include a new sound system and stage curtains for Pitlochry High School, assistance for Dunkeld’s Santa Day to pay for additional entertainers and a contribution towards transport costs for Rannoch Adult Education Association.

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust is able to offer smaller local community groups access to vital funding that they would otherwise find difficult to obtain from other funders many of whom have much higher minimum thresholds for application. With an average award value of £1080 across the 33 projects funded, Pitlochry in Bloom tops the table at £5000 this year with their wildlife garden restoration project.

Alison Walker, Trustee of The Enchanted Forest, said:

“2018’s record-breaking show saw more people visiting The Enchanted Forest than ever before. This incredible support means we are able to fund an amazing 33 exciting community events, projects and organisations. We’re delighted that our show helps makes this support possible, and visitors should feel proud that, just by visiting the Enchanted Forest, they have done their bit to give back to the community and benefit the local area.”

Over 80,000 visitors attended last year’s sold-out show Of the Wild with proceeds from the event being distributed through The Enchanted Forest Community Trust to worthy causes in the local area.

The Enchanted Forest’s impact on the local tourism economy is around £7.6 million per annum with around 52% of visitors to the 2018 event choosing to stay overnight in the area on their visit and over 93% citing the event as their main reason for visiting the area.

This year’s Enchanted Forest will run from October 3 to November 3 and tickets will go on sale to the public in June.

More information on The Enchanted Forest is available on www.enchantedforest.org.uk