News Release

21^stJune 2016

IMAGES FREE TO USE

Enchanted Forest Community Trust Funds 25 Local Projects

The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, organisers of the award-winning sound and light show in the woods, have awarded £10,000 to a range of local projects in Highland Perthshire, from pipe band uniforms to the upgrade of a bookshop, to yoga classes for the elderly.

This is the third year that such a fund has been available and the highest number of projects that have been helped.

This year's Enchanted Forest, now in its 15th year, is set amidst the stunning Autumn woodland of Faskally Wood in Perthshire. The 2016 show is set to be the biggest yet, with 65,000 tickets now on sale. The spectacular sound and light show runs from Thursday 29^th September to Friday 30^th October at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry.

Scotland's premier sound and light show is a three-time winner of Best Cultural Event at the Scottish Event Awards and was recently crowned winner of the Rural Tourism & Hospitality Award at the 2016 Scottish Rural Awards. This year's show, SHIMMER, will use dazzling visuals and an original music score.

Ian Sim, acting chairman of The Enchanted Forest, said:

"Last year more people visited The Enchanted Forest than ever before. That means we were able to fund a host of exciting local community projects. We're delighted that our show helps make all of these projects possible, and visitors should feel proud that, just by visiting the show, they have done their bit to give back to the community and benefit the local area."

This year's Enchanted Forest will again run for an extended season, due to popular demand. Organisers are encouraging the public to book early to avoid disappointment.

For tickets for this year's show visit www.enchantedforest.org.uk

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For further information contact Tricia Fox on 01738 658187 or mobile 07989 955039

Notes to Editors

List of funding recipients and outline of their projects:

IMAGES: Free-to-use imagery of the previous shows available here https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xrl7uxwli1swo92/AAA8pKoBeuEbgAHRAxjP_hbAa?dl=0

More available on request by email at t.fox@volpa.co.uk

The Enchanted Forest

Founded: 2002

Location: Forestry Commission Scotland's Faskally Wood near Pitlochry.

Ownership & Management: Enchanted Forest Community Trust- a Registered Scottish Charity

Managing Director: Graham Brown

Visitors: Over 62,500 visitors attend annually - up to 65,000 can attend in 2016

Creative Director: Derek Allan, Director of Allan Associates

Lighting Designers: Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes

Sound Design & Composition: RJ McConnell and Jon Beales

Sound & Lighting Main Contractor: NL Productions

Event Awards & Nominations:

2016:

• WINNER, Scottish Rural Award for Tourism & Hospitality

2015:

• WINNER, Best Event, 2015 Scottish Thistle Awards

2014:

• WINNER, Best Cultural Event, 2014 Scottish Event Awards

• WINNER, Best Marketing Campaign, 2014 Scottish Event Awards

2013:

• WINNER, Best Cultural Event, 2013 Scottish Event Awards

• WINNER, Cultural Event of the Year Award (Regional), Scottish Thistle Awards

2012:

• WINNER, VisitBritain Marketing Campaign of the Year Award (Regional), Scottish Thistle Awards

• FINALIST, VisitBritain Marketing Campaign of the Year Award (Regional), Scottish Thistle Awards

• Commendation, Best Marketing Campaign, 2012 Scottish Event Awards

Older:

• WINNER, Event Management Grand Prix, 2011 Scottish Event Awards

• WINNER, Best Cultural Event, 2011 Scottish Event Awards

• Commendation, Best Large Event, 2011 Scottish Event Awards

• WINNER, Event of the Year, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards

• WINNER, Community Award, Perthshire Big Tree Country Awards

• Commendation, Best Marketing Strategy, 2010 Scottish Event Awards

• Finalist, Best Marketing Strategy, 2010 UK Event Awards

• WINNER, Best Marketing Strategy, 2009 Scottish Event Awards

• Commendation, Best Large Event, 2009 Scottish Event Awards

• Commendation, Best Cultural Event, 2009 Scottish Event Awards

• Finalist, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Tourism & Hospitality Star Award 2009

• Finalist, Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Marketing Star Award 2009

Key Facts about Faskally Wood

• Faskally was purchased by the Forestry Commission in 1953. It covers 365 hectares and is divided in two by the old and new A9. The area where the Enchanted Forest takes place is approximately 66 hectares in size.

• The forest contains 25 recorded species of tree, of which only a handful are native: Scots Pine, Silver and Downy Birch, Ash, Oak, Rowan, Common Alder, Hazel, and Bird Cherry. The oldest known tree is approximately 200-225 years old.  

• Faskally is derived from the Gaelic for "stance by the ferry" which probably relates to an old ferry crossing on the river Tummel.

• The forest attracts approximately 60,000 visitors a year, excluding those to the Enchanted Forest.