The award-winning Enchanted Forest sound and light show is ploughing £6,000 into the event to improve accessibility for wheelchair users and disabled customers.
The investment in the Pitlochry event this October will include improved path access, increased access to the show’s catering and storytelling areas, and a state-of-the-art Mobiloo toilet. Together, the changes will enable many more visitors to gain accessibility to all parts of the show, the company said.
There will be improved path access for all visitors to Faskally Wood, where the event is held, and organisers have focused on increasing accessibility for wheelchair users in many areas where there is bark underfoot, installing matting on top of of the bark. This includes the storytelling yurt, which offers storytelling throughout the evening, and catering areas serving food and beverages.
The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, which puts on the event, has collaborated with Mobiloo, a charity which provides temporary disabled toilet facilities including a toilet with grab rails, an electronic hoist, and an adult-sized changing bench. Mobiloo will be provided in addition to the existing portable toilets.
The Trust, which expects to attract 80,000 visitors during the month-long run, was inspired by Euan’s Guide, the charity and disabled access review website which featured the 2017 show. Reviewer and blogger Claire D’All gave the event five stars but made several suggestions for improved accessibility.
Zoe Squair, Creative Producer of The Enchanted Forest, said: “We take all of our customer comments seriously, whether they are in the form of comments to staff, social media posts or press reviews. While The Enchanted Forest has always had a good reputation for accessibility, there is always room for improvement. That’s why we wanted to step things up this year and pump a substantial amount of money into making things even better.”
Entitled Of The Wild, the 2018 Enchanted Forest show is firmly rooted in nature and inspired by the hidden mystery of Faskally Wood after dark. It runs from October 4 to November 4. Last year’s sell-out Enchanted Forest event attracted a record 73,000 visitors.
Image credit: Angus Forbes
