News Release
1stJune 2016
IMAGES FREE TO USE
The Enchanted Forest to release more than 65,000 tickets for a shimmering Autumn spectacle
The Enchanted Forest, Perthshire's multi-award-winning sound and light show in the woods, is back for its 15th year - with an event that's set to wow visitors and also benefit local charities.
The state-of-the-art show, which runs throughout October, attracted a record 62,000 visitors last year and smashed box office records. This year, more than 65,000 tickets are going on sale, which will open to the general public at 10am on Friday 17th June. Organisers Perthshire Big Tree Country are advising customers to book early to avoid disappointment.
The 2016 show, which has been revealed as SHIMMER, will use dazzling visuals and an original music score, and runs from Thursday 29th September to Friday 30th October at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry. This year's event will also see the return of the multi-award-winning creative team of Kate Bonney and Simon Hayes as lighting designers, and RJ McConnell and Jon Beales providing sound design and composition.
The Enchanted Forest, which last year extended its season due to popular demand, brings in an estimated £2 million to the local economy. It was recently awarded the coveted Scottish Rural Award for Tourism & Hospitality 2016, beating off stiff competition from more than 50 of Scotland's top tourism businesses.
Proceeds from a dedicated charity night on Thursday September 29th will benefit the following three organisations: Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance; Kidney Kids Scotland; and British Heart Foundation Scotland.
Ian Sim, acting chairman of The Enchanted Forest, said:
"Every year our show lights up the countryside of Perthshire and boosts our tourist trade. The show we have planned for this year is remarkable and will prove to be a must-see for visitors. As a charitable trust, we are delighted to be able to direct proceeds from a special preview show on Thursday 29th September towards three highly important charities in Scotland. As the show goes from strength to strength, so our charitable net widens, which is extremely heartening."
"As a community-based event, we are committed to not only giving the community an exceptional place to visit every Autumn, but also to giving back. Our three charities have been chosen because of the important work they do across Scotland, and we're proud to name Kidney Kids Scotland, British Heart Foundation Scotland and Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance as this year's beneficiaries. We also can't wait to share all the dazzling new visuals and music we have up our sleeves."
Kidney Kids Scotland Manager Sheena Dunsmore said:
"Kidney Kids Scotland are thrilled to be chosen as one of the charities to benefit from The Enchanted Forest. This is a great opportunity for us to raise awareness of the charity and a fantastic way of reaching out to families who may need our support. Money raised on the night for Kidney Kids Scotland will help children suffering from renal and urological illness and their families, both directly and through our support for the pediatric renal services in Scottish hospitals."
Lisa Stafford, Fundraising Manager at British Heart Foundation Scotland, said:
"We're really excited about the chance to weave some magic with the award-winning Enchanted Forest and raise funds to help save lives in Scotland. Sadly, heart disease touches many families. Visitors can be wowed by this fairy-tale event knowing they're raising money for our life-saving heart research.
Sally Cameron, Head of Fundraising at Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance, said:
"SCAA is extremely grateful for this support - a donation that could mean the difference between life and death for someone in desperate need of an air ambulance when speed and urgent medical attention are critical factors in their chance of survival."
Tickets will go on sale to the public at 10am on Friday 17th June at www.enchantedforest.org.uk
For more information on the Charity Night on Thursday 29th September visit www.enchantedforest.org.uk/charity
-- ENDS --
For further information contact Tricia Fox on 01738 658187 or mobile 07989 955039
NOTES TO EDITORS
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.