Visitors to The Enchanted Forest, Scotland’s premier sound and light show at Faskally Wood near Pitlochry, are to be encouraged to stay longer and enjoy the area’s many attractions this Autumn courtesy of a new festival being organised by businesses in the town.

The Pitlochry Autumn Festival has been developed by local businesses to showcase Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire to the 20,000 visitors who are expected to attend this year’s Enchanted Forest.

The festival, which will run alongside The Enchanted Forest each night from 19th October – 4th November, will include street performances by local musicians, storytelling and songs of enchantment in a magical ‘yurt’, ghost tours which will see the return of characters from Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire’s past, a Hallowe’en Marquee celebrating ghosts, ghouls and spirits, plus a big prize treasure hunt!

Local hotels and restaurants in the town will also be entering into the ‘enchanted’ spirit with themed menus, games and entertainment galore.

Whilst the Enchanted Forest spectacular will remain the focus for many visitors, the festival’s organisers are hoping that the range of activities and events on offer will prove a big draw in itself.

James Rattray, Chairman of the Enchanted Forest Pitlochry Group said, ‘The Enchanted Forest has grown into one of Scotland’s iconic events and brings many thousands of visitors to Pitlochry each year. Local businesses are keen to build on the success of the event and have come up with the idea of developing a festival around it to bring a real buzz to the town and surrounding area, enhancing people’s visit and giving them a reason to stay longer and enjoy the attractions of Highland Perthshire.’

‘Developing the festival has been a huge community effort and there’s tremendous excitement about what will be happening. There’s no doubt that Pitlochry and Highland Perthshire will be the place to be this Autumn’.

Hamish Murray, Chairman of The Enchanted Forest Steering Group said, ‘The Enchanted Forest is a fantastic showcase for our forests. Our brand new theme of ‘Creation’, coupled with our most ambitious and exciting sound and light show to date, means that this year’s Enchanted Forest is sure to be the biggest and best yet. I wholeheartedly support the efforts of the Pitlochry Autumn Festival and all the businesses behind it. They have put a lot of effort into enhancing the Enchanted Forest visitor experience this year and I hope that many thousands of visitors will stay and enjoy the events in the festival programme’.

Full detailed information on the Pitlochry Autumn Festival events and dates is available online at www.pitlochryautumnfestival.co.uk  with specific daily timetables to be published a month before the event.

Tickets for The Enchanted Forest, which must be booked in advance, are on sale now from Ticketmaster, Tel. 0844 847 1544, or online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk, priced £9.50 (Adults), £4.50 (Children under 15), £8.50 (Concessions). Children under 5 admitted free. For further information visit www.enchantedforest.org.uk.