THE ENCHANTED FOREST COMMUNITY FUND OPENS FOR 2026
The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, the charitable organisation behind Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest, has today opened applications for its 2026 Community Fund, inviting charities and community organisations (CICs) across Highland Perthshire to apply for vital funding.
Since launching in 2015, the Fund has reinvested more than £522,000 into the Highland Perthshire area, supporting over 185 local charities, community groups, projects and transforming the success of one of Scotland’s best-known cultural events into a lasting community legacy.
Applications are now open to registered charities and community interest companies (CICs) based or operating in Highland Perthshire with organisations able to apply for grants of up to £10,000 to support projects that make a tangible difference to people’s lives.
The Enchanted Forest Community Trust particularly welcomes applications from local projects that are unable to access funds from other bodies. The projects should be focused on helping people in need with the cost-of-living crisis in the Highland Perthshire area, help with battling child poverty and focus on child welfare and increase inclusion, enablement, independence, mental health and wellbeing. The Trust will also be 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.
Last year, 27 organisations shared £84,000 from the fund, including the Highland Perthshire Community Partnership (HPCP), which received £10,000 to help fund essential upgrades to Pitlochry Pavilion. The improvements include repairs to the lower floor used by sports teams and installation of a new public toilet for park users, supporting other major events in the area such as the Pitlochry Highland Games, Heartland Festival and Etape Caledonia, as well as local sports clubs including The Vale of Atholl AFC, Scotland’s oldest amateur football team.
Bruce Patterson of HPCP said: “This funding has allowed us to match and leverage other financing, which will enable us, in turn, to complete the Pavilion upgrades. This will provide a valuable community resource capable of creating its own income stream, ensuring financial longevity.”
The 1st Perthshire Pitlochry Scouts Group also benefitted from the Fund in 2025, receiving £1,500 to reduce the cost of a group camping trip in May 2025 for 56 young people aged six to fourteen. Dougie Woodrow of 1st Perthshire Pitlochry Scouts Group said: “The Enchanted Forest funding allowed us to make the weekend affordable for all the members of our Scout group, and enabled us to offer more challenges, more adventure and more fun for the young people in our community.”
Meanwhile, Social Flock, a community clothing and climate charity, received £2,000 to expand its work into Highland Perthshire, redistributing free clothing to families in need.
Founder of Social Flock, Rachael Esdale, said: “Thanks to the Enchanted Forest Community Fund, we delivered 58 additional clothing packs, easing pressure on families and saving them an estimated £8,000 – £9,000 in living costs. The packs do more than meet a practical need, they reduce stress, strengthen mental wellbeing, whilst also creating a wonderful circle of local volunteering and donations that allows us to support event more families across Perthshire and Highland Perthshire.”
Nela Popovic, CEO of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said: “Every year, the Enchanted Forest Community Fund turns the magic of our event into meaningful, lasting change for the community that hosts us. From tackling the cost-of-living crisis to supporting children, families and mental wellbeing, these grants create ripples of benefit far beyond the initial award. As applications open for 2026, we are especially keen to hear from charities and CICs working on the frontline of need across Highland Perthshire.”
Application forms are available to download at www.enchantedforest.org.uk. Completed applications must be submitted by 27 March 2026, with successful applicants announced on 30 April 2026.
