Perthshire's Enchanted Forest is a Force of Nature

Oct 22 2010 by Alison Anderson, Perthshire Advertiser Friday

THE magic has returned to The Enchanted Forest – the popular sound and light show which marries nature and technology in the beautiful setting of Faskally Wood near Pitlochry.

After last year’s lacklustre forest experience, the 2010 event has successfully passed into new hands – the social enterprise Highland Perthshire Community Interest Company.

Their chosen theme ‘Force of Nature’ combines the towering might of Faskally Wood’s deciduous and coniferous trees and dark water of Loch Dunmore with the proven expertise and artistic acumen of Scottish designers Simon Wilkinson (lighting) and Ronnie McConnell (sound).

Simon and Ronnie’s original music score and artistic lighting design sees the ninth The Enchanted Forest return to its roots of a traditional son et lumiere show, making best use of the stunning natural surroundings.

Using the forest as a creative backdrop, the production team – including main contractors Northern Light – have created feature such as Singing Trees, Wooden Rhythms, Fire and Brimstone, and Wild Water to depict some of nature’s most elemental forces: earth, wind, fire and water.

And unlike some previous years, the professionalism of the installation shines through to deliver a stunning experience – although perhaps in future years more consideration could be given to capturing the imagination of younger forest visitors in this event billed as a family show.

Derek Allan, chair of The Enchanted Forest 2010, commented: “We’ve worked with two of Scotland’s most exciting designers on this year’s show and we are confident it will deliver an experience that visitors will find sensational and engaging.

“This change of approach, we feel, will be welcomed by visitors both new and returning. Not only are we taking people around the forest in a completely different direction from in previous years, but we have also saved the best to last so that the entire visit is builds up to a big light and water show on the loch.”

Highland Perthshire Community Interest Company managing director Graham Brown said at the Enchanted Forest launch how the woodland spectacular, set to bring some 20,000 visitors to the area, was used as the foundation for a wider community-led initiative to give the Pitlochry area a “bit of pizzazz” during the autumn and winter.

He gave thanks to the many individuals and organisations involved in The Enchanted Forest, including the many volunteer stewards who ensure the safety of visitors along the forest route.

And Provost John Hulbert praised the work of the Highland Perthshire Community Interest Company: “Local control has been very good for the Enchanted Forest, and fully justifies the confidence that the local team had last year, when they took over from the Forestry Commission, the Council, and the Perth and Kinross Countryside Trust.”

The Enchanted Forest runs until Sunday, November 7. It is a ticketed event which is accessed by shuttle buses departing and returning to Pitlochry town centre. Tickets from Just the Ticket, 89 Atholl Road, Pitlochry, telephone 0871 288 7655, or online www.enchantedforest.org.uk