THE ENCHANTED FOREST WINS SCOTTISH THISTLE AWARD

Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest, has won the Celebrating Thriving Communities category at this year’s Scottish Thistle Regional Awards, which took place yesterday (26 September) at the Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh.

The trailblazing event, which runs annually in the autumn at the beautiful Faskally Wood in Pitlochry, attracting over 85,000 visitors, was one of two organisations shortlisted for the Celebrating Thriving Communities award. This award celebrates partnerships, collaborations and team working – whether that be with local businesses, communities, or a group of individuals – coming together to protect and enhance the environment whilst growing social, cultural and economic wealth.

The Scottish Thistle awards showcase the very best of Scotland’s tourism sector, helping to ensure that tourism, and the individuals who work in the industry are recognised for the positive impact they bring to the country and communities.

Nela Popovic, Chief Executive Officer of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said: “We’re over the moon to have won this award. It has been a true team effort. It is a reflection of the hard work which has gone into engaging and working with the local community as effectively as possible to ensure The Enchanted Forest continues to be a success, and continues to be a key driver of tourism, bringing in an incredible £10.38 million to the local tourism economy of Highland Perthshire.

“As a not-for-profit organisation and to reflect our ethos of giving back to the local community in which the event has called its home for over twenty years, we have given away a record number of grants this year to registered charities operating in Highland Perthshire. We have awarded the highest ever figure of £97,815 to twenty-six organisations, and in addition £6,700 in discretionary donations to a range of local community groups. We are delighted to see the difference this money is already making to many lives in Highland Perthshire.”

The Enchanted Forest’s 2024 ‘Symphony of Nature’ show will take place 3 October to 3 November. To book tickets, or to find out more information, please visit: www.enchantedforest.org.uk.

The Central and East Thistle Award winners 2024 can be found here: Central & East Thistle winners announced – News | VisitScotland.org