The Enchanted Forest partners with Blair Athol Distillery to enhance accessibility for visitors
The Enchanted Forest, Scotland’s premier sound and light show, has joined forces with Blair Athol Distillery to make the award-winning event as accessible as possible for visitors.
For this year’s event, entitled Cosmos, a brand-new Accessibility Bus service has been introduced which may better suit customers who have specific access needs but do not require disabled parking on site.
Accessibility Bus Customers will be able to park at Blair Athol Distillery on the outskirts of Pitlochry where the transfer service will run regularly into the Forest throughout the event’s five-week-run.
As disabled parking is very limited in the forest, the Accessibility Bus offers an alternative option for guests who require a little extra help. The bus will not require people to climb stairs to board the coach and can accommodate a small number of wheelchair and specialist buggy users, subject to availability. Older patrons and families travelling with autistic children who find large crowds more difficult may also look to use the new service.
The event has also teamed up with Mobiloo, a mobile accessible toilet with adult-sized changing bench and hoist, for the second year in a row to further enhance the event’s accessibility credentials.
With over 80,000 people visiting Highland Perthshire annually to experience The Enchanted Forest, organisers are keen to make the event as accessible as possible.
Ian Sim, Chairman of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said:
“The Enchanted Forest is delighted to be working with local business, Blair Athol Distillery, to introduce our first ever Accessibility Bus service for visitors. We want as many people as possible to be able to experience our sound and light show up close and this new service will enable even more people, who perhaps thought an adventure into Faskally Wood may be a challenge too far, to have a wonderful time in the Forest.”
Laura Murray, Brand Home Manager at Blair Athol Distillery: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with the Enchanted Forest. The show drives tourism within the area and also supports local initiatives and we are proud to be associated with their new accessibility bus service to allow even more people to enjoy the spectacular event.
“We are aware that parking can be difficult in the town during The Enchanted Forest and we are happy to be able to support the community by alleviating some of the parking shortage.
“We are also excited to announce that the distillery’s Mash Tun Bar will be opening later during The Enchanted Forest, offering an array of refreshments while people wait for their departure to the show.”
This year’s Enchanted Forest will run from October 3 – November 3, 2019 and tickets are now on sale. Coaches with a low floor and flat, step-free entrance will be running every 30 minutes from the local distillery during the event’s evening performances.
To find out more about the Accessibility Bus service visit https://www.enchantedforest.org.uk/tickets/