Vivid Enchanted Forest Illuminates Dark Autumn Nights
The Enchanted Forest, a Perthshire Big Tree Country event and Scotlands premier sound and light show, launched last night in an array of dazzling colours to a select audience of press and VIPs at Forestry Commission Scotlands Faskally Wood near Pitlochry.
The fourteenth event in the series delighted visitors with stunning aerial acrobatics, choreographed sound and light displays and, for the first time ever, visitors will have the opportunity to go off path using a specially constructed pier that will situate them right at the heart of a stunning son et lumiere show.
On course to smash all previous box office records, organisers are predicting that over 55,000 visitors will flock to the Highland Perthshire town of Pitlochry this year to see the event and, with all Saturday nights during the run sold out and local hotels filling up quickly, they are urging customers to plan ahead.
Graham Brown, Chairman of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust commented:
Were delighted to announce our fourteenth show officially open to the public and the signs are looking positive that it will be another successful show for us this year. The events success directly benefits the local business community of Highland Perthshire, many of whom are incredibly busy as a result of thousands of additional visitors to the area, but it also enables us to support local charities, clubs and organisations in the area, all of which deliver important services to the people of Highland Perthshire.
The show was officially pronounced open by Mike Cantlay, Chairman of VisitScotland who was in attendance along with his family. He commented:
As the current winner of our prestigious Thistle Award for Best Event, The Enchanted Forest continues to go from strength to strength and Im delighted to see that this years show is more spectacular than ever before.
The creative team at The Enchanted Forest has an exceptional way of refreshing their approach every year to create a unique event that showcases Scotlands natural landscape at its very best. This is a must-see event this autumn for people of all ages, one of the best shows Ive seen all year.
Events like this dont just provide entertainment they boost the local visitor economy and represent a multi-million pound opportunity to increase jobs as well as deliver cultural and social benefits.
The 2015 show FLUX has been designed by a creative team led by Derek Allan including Scottish lighting designers Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes, and specially composed and recorded music, and sound effects by RJ McConnell and Jon Beales. Together they have created a dazzling and engaging show which celebrates the stunning woodland setting of the event.
Liz Grant, Provost of Perth and Kinross was also in attendance to welcome visitors to Highland Perthshire:
This is undoubtedly one of Perthshire, and indeed Scotlands, finest cultural events and Im delighted to see that this years show is as exceptional as ever. Last year it attracted over 46,000 visitors to Highland Perthshire, an essential boost to the local economy at this time of year, and it is a superb ambassador for Perth and Kinross as a destination, not just nationally, but right across the globe. I heartily recommend a visit.
The event runs from Thursday 1st October Sunday 1st November. Proceeds from the first nights show on Thursday 1st October will be split equally between three charities: PKAVS, CHAS and Scottish Autism.
For further information about the Enchanted Forest and to book tickets, visit the Enchanted Forest website at www.enchantedforest.org.uk
