Enchanted Forest light and sound show lands visitors and £10m for Perthshire

An innovative light and sound show in a Perthshire forest brought in almost £10 million for the local economy last year, a new report has found.

The Enchanted Forest, staged annually in Pitlochry, welcomed more than 83,000 visitors from across the UK and beyond last year and helped put Highland Perthshire on the tourist map.

Surveys have shown the month-long event, which took place in Faskally Wood between September 29 and October 30, was responsible for attracting 92 per cent of visitors to the area at the time.

The independent economic impact assessment report – commissioned by the Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which organises the show, and carried out by the Tourism Resources Company – found the majority of visitors came from outside Perth and Kinross, with at least half of them staying in the area overnight.

The polls also revealed a high satisfaction rate for visitors, with nine out of ten saying they had enjoyed the experience and more than eight in ten giving an excellent or very good rating on value for money. Repeat visits have continued to rise year on year as well, with 57 per cent of all participants having taken part before – up from 41 per cent in 2018.

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Enchanted Forest event producer Monique McArdle said: “This report really underlines the incredible impact that this event has on the economy of Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire every autumn, bringing in £9.9 million last year and supporting businesses after a period of true economic turmoil and change.

“It also continues to have a major role to play in showcasing Pitlochry as a tourism destination. As the report shows, the majority of visitors would not have considered visiting the area at all if it weren’t for the event.”

The Enchanted Forest event, now in its 21st year, brought in nearly £10m to the local economy in Perthshire in 2022, research shows. Picture: Roberto Ricciuti

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Calum MacLellan, owner of shop and restaurant Taste Perthshire, said the Enchanted Forest, now in its 21st year, had helped make October one of the busiest times of the year for the Bankfoot business.

“We have found the event has increased our afternoon and early evening dining trade,” he said. “We are massive supporters of what the Enchanted Forest brings, not only to us but to Highland Perthshire, and we hope that this encourages visitors back to this beautiful area of Scotland throughout the rest of the year.”

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