Pitlochry was lit up by a stunning laser show to mark what would have been the start of hugely popular Enchanted Forest event which was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The show was staged over the weekend and also marked the launch of ticket sales for next year’s Enchanted Forest, which is due to be held from September 30 to October 31 2021.

The light and sound extravaganza normally attracts 80,000 visitors a year to HIghland Perthshire but was cancelled due to the ban on events and mass gatherings amid the global health crisis.

It is worth around £7.6million to the local economy, with the event “sorely missed” by businesses in the area.

The laser show was held over Pitlochry to mark what would have been the opening of the Enchanted Forest 2020 event. PIC: Liam Anderstrem / Airborne Lens.

The laser show was staged to allow Pitlochry people enjoy the spectactle from their living room windows and back gardens.

A spokeswoman for The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which organised the laser show, said: “The bold beacon of hope is intended to signal to the local community that, although the 2020 event has been cancelled, there are big plans afoot for the 2021 show, the 20th anniversary of the trail-blazing event.”

Although the event is not taking place this year, the annual charitable giving of the Enchanted Forest Community Trust continues.

This year the Trust has donated £68,000 to 29 local projects incuding The Birks Cinema in Aberfeldy, Pitlochry Festival Theatre and Tayside Mountain Rescue.

The show was staged as a "beacon of hope" ahead of the box office opening for the 2021 event. PIC: Liam Anderstrem / Airborne Lens

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Huge laser show lights up Scottish town as tickets for Enchanted Forest 2021 go on sale