The Enchanted Forest Looks to Local Business for Support

 The Enchanted Forest, the multi-award winning Perthshire Big Tree Country event, which this year attracted over 26,000 visitors to the Highland Perthshire area, is calling on the local business community to get behind it with a bold and unprecedented move to raise £40,000 of private funding from the businesses that the event directly benefits.

 In recent years The Enchanted Forest, which is set to return to nearby Faskally Wood for its 10th anniversary show in 2012, has successfully transitioned from being run by public sector agencies, to being run by a not for profit Community Interest Company.

 However with public funding hard to come by, and ever increasing costs of running the event, the Community Interest Company Directors are asking the hundreds of local businesses who directly benefit from the event to help provide the financial backing needed to ensure The Enchanted Forest's ongoing economic input to the area.

 Eddie Thomson, chair of the Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company commented

"This has been a tremendous year for the event, winning four major awards and attracting over 26,000 visitors to the area and we're really very keen for that success to continue into 2012. Over half of The Enchanted Forest customers stay overnight in the area and with increased numbers attending, the overall economic impact of the event is now estimated to be in the region of £1.5million benefit to the local economy."

 "In our most recent feedback survey we asked our customers to tell us which businesses they spent money with while in the area and well over 250 businesses were mentioned by name, ranging from restaurants to take aways, from hotels to retail shops. If each of those businesses were to pledge just £160 then we would have the necessary capital we need to continue to run the event. It's not much to ask when you consider the sheer extent of the economic impact of the event is almost 10,000 times that much per business - that's an exceptional return on investment."

 Businesses are being invited to attend an open meeting at Fishers Hotel, Pitlochry at 7pm on Tuesday 20th December, 2011 where there will be an open and public discussion around the future of The Enchanted Forest and how they can play an active role in ensuring its success continues.

 To register attendance at this meeting, contact Eddie Thomson, Chairman of the Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company by email on info@enchantedforest.org.uk 

 The Enchanted Forest was founded in 2003 and this year has acquired a string of accolades including the Event Management Grand Prix at the Scottish Event Awards, Best Cultural Event, Event of the Year at the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards and the Community Award at the Perthshire Big Tree Country Awards.

Highland Perthshire the Cycle Friendly Community.

Highland Perthshire received one of the top five awards at the annual Cycling Scotland Conference Awards in Glasgow as the 'Cycle Friendly Community' as a result of the work done by the Highland Perthshire Cycling group.

Cycling Scotland's Chairman Bill Wright said, "There is so much excellent cycling work now happening across Scotland, that we had 5 categories this year, attracting the highest number of entries to date. We are delighted to award the 'Cycle Friendly Community Award' to Highland Perthshire Cycling for all the work they have done in the last 12 months from their highly successful cycling festival through to local initiatives including the local schools and youth groups."

Emma Burtles the Highland Perthshire Cycling Coordinator, who is based in Aberfeldy said, "I am absolutely delighted to receive this award on behalf of Highland Perthshire Cycling. We are a very new group only having been formed 2 years ago, we have come a very long way in a short time." She continued, "I would like to thank everyone who has put in lots of voluntary hours in making the many events that Highland Perthshire Cycling organise, happen."

The Cycling Scotland citation states; " The winning entry in the Cycle Friendly Communities Award had really embraced the concept, making it a stated aim of the project to create a cycle friendly community in their target area. Using a hugely successful cycling festival as the focal point, the scheme expanded with a range of projects including initiatives to take local schools through the Cycle Friendly School award. Operating youth clubs linking to Scottish Cycling's Go Ride programme, helping local businesses be more cycle friendly to attract more customers, developed disabled and special needs cycling events with adapted bikes, producing route cards and securing funding for forthcoming cycle signage."

 For more information on the Highland Perthshire Cycling or to pass on details, please contact Emma Burtles emma@highlandperthshirecyclingfestival.co.uk

Photo  - Bill Wright Chairman of Cycling Scotland, presenting Emma Burtles the Highland Perthshire Cycling Coordinator, with the Cycle Friendly Community Award at a ceremony in Glasgow.

Author Ian Rankin praises 'dream line-up' of local arts festival.

Novelist Ian Rankin, author of the best-selling Inspector Rebus series, claimed the Aberfeldy Festival (4-5 Nov 2011) had his dream line-up of Scottish music. Rankin says, 'I think my original wish-list had ten names on it, but only six would be needed. The first six we asked all said yes'.

The acts, including Star Wheel Press, James Yorkston, John Hunt and Admiral Fallow, were all chosen by Rankin, who was the guest curator of this year's festival.

The festival, now in its second year, was a sell out and saw the local community pulling together to ensure its great success and mark it as a permanent annual fixture on the town's calendar.

It kicked off in Aberfeldy Town Hall on Friday evening, hosted by Ian Rankin who introduced the bands who were playing. Rankin, a confessed music lover, had worked closely with local artist and musician Ryan Hannigan, to put together a lineup of his favourite bands to entertain the bigger than expected crowd that attended over the two nights of the festival.

On Saturday visitors were able to sample a gourmet breakfast at local Café D'Amour Bistro; listen to Ian Rankin, who further supported the weekend's festivities by giving a talk and signing copies of his latest book 'The Impossible Dead', in the Watermill Bookshop. A special festival market had an array of crafts, gifts and local produce, while live music from the fantastic Second Hand Marching Band and local band Sandstorm entertained on stage in the Town Square. Children's entertainment was provided, and market shoppers were further entertained by the skills of street performer Tam Baker, and a spectacular firework display.

Saturday night brought more great music from the bands Ballboy, A Band called Quinn and Admiral Fallow, who all received a great reception from a warm and appreciative festival audience. Festival goers were also treated to some really great food over the two nights provided by local chef Steven Dow. The festivities continued well into the early hours with the After Party at the Courtyard Kenmore.

'Aberfeldy has a thriving artists' community, and it has a terrific bookshop. It's the perfect location for something that involves writers, musicians and artists,' Rankin says.

Ellen McBride of the festival committee adds, 'The Aberfeldy Festival was a huge success, bringing visitors into the town at a usually quiet time of year. We are so grateful to our headline sponsors Dewar's and all the local businesses that have supported us; and particularly to everyone who attended for making it such an amazing festival.'

Highland Perthshire bungee jumping operator Highland Fling Bungee has successfully dispatched the oldest jumper in Scotland- a 73 year old from Ayrshire.

Retired cancer survivor Denis Gallagher has raised almost £1000 for cancer charities by becoming the oldest bungee jumper in the country. Former mechanic and multiple bike champion, Gallagher, was shocked to discover he had bowel cancer six years ago when attending a routine medical for a bike license.

However, the adrenaline-loving pensioner, given the all-clear in 2010, has now realised a dream he has had for over thirty years. Gallagher, from Girvan, leapt 155ft at 50mph from Highland Fling Bungee's state-of-the-art bungee pod at Garry Bridge near Killiecrankie, near Pitlochry  in Perthshire.

Cheered on by family, friends and wife Phyllis, the evergreen OAP (complete with doctor's line) was so happy with his jump, he has written to thank the company. Now, as he gathers together the proceeds for Cancer Support Ayrshire, he is hoping to do it again- if he can rope in a few of his septuagenarian pals.

"I am definitely considering doing it again and I am trying to get a few of my friends this time," said adventure-loving Gallagher, who has also tried para-gliding and diving.

"I first saw a film of people bunjee jumping in New Zealand about thirty years ago. I was at the cinema in Glasgow with my brother and it was on a Pathe Newsreel. At the time, I remember thinking: 'if I ever get the chance, I am going to do that.'

"Obviously, it was a massive shock when I was told I had cancer but when I got the all-clear last year, I decided to give it a go. I heard you could now bungee jump in Scotland, which is great because I don't think I would have gone to New Zealand. It was fantastic and, when all the proceeds are gathered in, I reckon we will have over £900 for the charity."

Since opening in May 2011, Highland Fling Bungee has counted over 3800 jumpers worldwide but yesterday confirmed Gallagher as officially its most senior participant.

For insurance and health reasons, the company requires all over 65s to present a valid doctor's line, which Gallagher- and his GP- happily supplied.

A company spokesman said yesterday: "We have now examined the data and Denis is definitely the eldest jumper we've had so far, although the age-range has surprised us, in a positive sense. We've had quite a few jumpers of a more mature vintage and it is really encouraging to see so many people still remaining active and challenging themselves to keep trying new things."

As well as planning another bungee jump, Gallagher, who still competes in classic motorbikes, has been looking at the possibility of a fresh challenge.

"I've had a look at wing-walking but I am not sure yet," he said. "When I told my wife about the bungee jumping, she just shook her head but, after 54 years of marriage, she knows what I am like. I am not one of those people to wrap myself in cotton wool or to look back and wish I had done something but never did. I like a challenge and, although I felt a bit like an old fogey in a kindergarten when I did the bungee jump, I was made to feel really comfortable and loved it."

Highland Fling Bungee's partners, the National Trust for Scotland, are delighted people of all age ranges are heading to Killiecrankie.

"We are really encouraged to see that people spanning the age range are taking the opportunity to engage in outdoor activities such as this, especially at the Killiecrankie site. The area is rich in natural history and it is great that people, young and old, are enjoying all the area has to offer," said Ben Notley, Property Manager for the National Trust for Scotland's North Perthshire Properties.

The Enchanted Forest, a Perthshire Big Tree Country event, has smashed all previous box office records, welcoming over 26,350 visitors during its 23 night run, picking up the Big Tree Country Community Award in the process.

 The event, which was founded in 2002 with the primary objective of extending the traditional tourism period, held in Pitlochry came to a close on Saturday after attracting a record breaking 26,350 visitors, up 31% from 20,000 visitors in 2010.

 Attending the Big Tree Country Awards on Sunday afternoon, the Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company, who is behind the management of the event, was delighted to hear it had also become the lucky recipient of the Big Tree Country Community Award for its work in spreading the impact of the event amongst local businesses and community projects.

 Eddie Thomson, chair of the Highland Perthshire Area Community Interest Company commented

"Winning the Big Tree Country Community Award is the icing on the cake for us, after such an amazing year. We're truly delighted that our efforts as a community interest company have been recognised by Perthshire Big Tree Country."

 "Such an unprecedented increase in ticket sales is also very good news for the local businesses in the area. 50% of Enchanted Forest customers stay overnight in the area, and a 31% increase in attendance translates into a very strong increase in the overall economic impact of the event, which is now estimated to be in the region of £1.5million benefit to the local economy" he continued.

 The Enchanted Forest has also been shortlisted for Event of the Year at this year's Perthshire Chamber of Commerce Business Star Awards.

2012 Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia sells out in record time.

 Organisers of the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia, IMG Challenger World, has announced today that all 5,100 places on the 2012 event have sold out in record time. The event starts and finishes in Pitlochry, passing through Rannoch and near Aberfeldy.

Overwhelming demand for the 2012 Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia, taking place in Highland Perthshire on May 13th, saw the event sell out in a matter of weeks since entries opened mid September. This underlines the growing popularity of what was the UK's first closed road cycling sportive and is now the largest of its kind outside mainland Europe.

The news comes as a welcome boost to the Highland Perthshire economy with the event expected to bring in over £1million of additional spend in the area as cyclists and their families flock to Highland Perthshire for this annual event which has become a firm favourite in the cyclist's calendar.

To cope with increasing demand for such events, the organisers have recently announced the opening of their third closed road sportive and the first closed road event in England, the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines, which takes place in Durham on October 7th 2012.  Entries for this event are now open and are sure to sell quickly as this is the only opportunity for cyclists to ride on completely closed roads through some of the most stunning countryside in the north of England.

Julia Warne, Head of Marketing, PR & Communications for IMG Challenger World sees the growth in demand as a reward for hard work in delivering quality events: "2011 has been a great year for us with the Etape Caledonia and Hibernia growing in popularity and cementing their reputation on the national and international sportive calendars. Now that the Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia has sold out in record time, it's great to be able to offer cyclists another closed road event in the new Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Pennines on 7th October 2012."

"We are excited about returning to Scotland in 2012, with a sell out event and continuing to build on our success and our positive impact on the local economy. We understand that a number of hotels and B&Bs are already booked up well in advance and that the Highland Perthshire business community is preparing for a very busy weekend in May."

Marie Curie Cancer Care is the official Charity Partner of the Etape Series 2012. All funds raised by cyclists taking part will enable Marie Curie Nurses to provide more free care and support to terminally ill people and their families.

For more information on Marie Curie Cancer Care Etape Caledonia

I went to the Enchanted Forest Press Night last night and saw this years show - if you have been to previous years show, my advice, is go with a completely blank canvas. By this I mean, do not go expect to see what you saw in previous shows - each year it is very different and you will be disappointed if you are looking for things from previous shows.

Having given you a word of warning, in my opinion this year it is EXCELLENT, it is not just me saying this, but I ran in to a past Enchanted Forest Chairman (2007 to 2009), he used words like "They have nailed it." "I really like what they have done". "It was truly superb!" He knows, as he has been to all 9 Enchanted Forests.

Location - this year it is in a very different venue, there is no registration in the centre of Pitlochry. You park in Pitlochry and can walk (allow 15mins) or catch a Yules Bus (£1), from outside Fishers Hotel, which will drop you right at the Enchanted Forest entrance.

The new venue which gives it a totally different feel. For the last 5 years it has been at Faskally Woods around Loch Dunmore which is all relatively flat. This year's site does not have any water, but it does have some height. The Paths are excellent, there is a very good affordable snack catering facility on site, if you fancy a coffee or hot chocolate when you are there.

What tips can I give? I think the real secret is take your time going round, (unlike other years) you can go round which direction you fancy. There is an arrow pointing one way round, but you do not have to go that way. Better still (if you have the time, go one way round and back round the other way (with your cup of hot chocolate), this will give you a totally different perspective, (there is no time limit for being in the forest). The other key thing to be aware of, is the time it takes for the full display of music and lights at various points in the forest. I am told each takes around 9 to 10 minutes to run through.

The catering in the Enchanted Forest is by Fayre and Square from Gandtully - You will find it very reasonably priced Venison and Steak Burgers £3.50, Giant Hot Dog £3.50, - Vegi Burger £2.50, - 6 mini doughnuts £2,  - Soup, Tea, Coffee £2, - all soft drinks £1 etc

My suggestion is, as you go round, find good viewing spots and wait there for 10 minutes before moving on, listen to the music and watch the light show. So find a spot at the bottom of the valley, maybe half-way up, and at the Pagoda (Building) at the top of the valley and make sure you stop and see the whole sequence of lights from within the Pagoda too. Every spot you will see something different.

A couple of other tips I would give:-

• The restaurants and pubs in Pitlochry are all geared up for providing meals for visitors to the Enchanted Forest (it does no harm to book yourself a table in advance).
• Various businesses in Pitlochry are putting things on in support of the Enchanted Forest (I am in the process of pulling these together as they advise me what is going on. I will add them to the Enchanted Forest site page).
• I am also putting together a wee You Tube Video, aimed at encouraging people to get the most out of their trip to the Enchanted Forest and Pitlochry - this will be added to the same page.
• 22 businesses in Pitlochry are taking part in a 'free' treasure hunt for pumpkin clues - all you have to do is find a treasure hunt form, make sure you have a pen and take part - it is a good bit of fun, a great way to discover the town, especially if you have kids (adults also enjoy the treasure hunt from previous years feed back).

 So the Enchanted Forest it is back with a totally differenent show, one to really savour - enjoy!

A Year on a survey of Highland Perthshire's web site's members.

 Highland Perthshire web site www.HighlandPerthshire.com is given the thumbs up by its members. The web site was developed as a result of cooperation of twenty six tourism businesses from across Highland Perthshire. These businesses formulated the web site specification and a Business Cooperation Agreement, a year on over 80% of it site members rated it as either 'Good' or 'Excellent'.

 When asked how well HighlandPerthshire.com compared to other tourist web sites 78.5% of the members, rated the web site as either 'Good' or 'Excellent'. With regards to 'Value for money' 82.6% rating the site 'Good' or 'Excellent', with 52.2% rating it 'Excellent'.

 Members comments include;

"It's simple to navigate, attractive layout; easy to absorb information; up to date."

"Very well thought out, every aspect covered that the visitor may wish to know coming to the area."

A truly professional site, well geared and attractive to look at."

 A year on HighlandPerthshire.com has over 300 pages of information; it has a Trip Planner, allowing visitors to plan their trip as well as a language translator, Google Maps and a comprehensive Events Diary.

 What makes the web site so different is that businesses agree to promote each other, by taking feeds from HighlandPerthshire.com in a style to suit their own web sites.

 James Rattray based in Killiecrankie, who co-ordinated the initiative and manages HighlandPerthshire.com on a day to day basis said, "It is a great achievement that a after we set out to a create a very different web site for Highland Perthshire, with all the risks this involved, it has all come together and worked. The fact that members actively promote each other on their web sites, makes the whole concept very different. As you can imagine a business cooperation web such as this is fraught with dangers." He continued "A year on, we find very high levels of satisfaction amongst the members and importantly the cooperation agreements have stood the test of one years operation."

 Kevin Grant of Escape Route, the Bike Shop in Pitlochry said, "As one of the founding members, it is very satisfying to see that fellow members of HighlandPerthshire.com rate the site so highly a year on. A lot of time, effort and care went in to creating HighlandPerthshire.com. It is very satisfying to see how it has stood the tests of going live and functioning on a day to day basis."  He continued, "It is great that we are seeing a steady stream of new businesses joining the web site, the more businesses involved the better it is for the whole of Highland Perthshire."

 Part of the project costs have been supported by Perth & Kinross Council via the `Developing Rural Tourism Project`, funded by the European Regional Development Fund. The project supports new initiatives and encourages businesses to work together to improve the quality of the visitor experience and increase visitor numbers.

The Cairngorm Ceilidh Trail excels at Blair Atholl!!

Eight young people from 16 to 20 years old, put on a cracking performance of traditional Scottish music played on fiddle, guitar, bagpipes, banjo, whistle, wooden flute, drums, mandolin, keyboard and vocals. The Cairngorm Ceilidh Trail came to Blair Atholl village hall, last night, Monday 18th July .

On YOU TUBE The Cairngorm Ceilidh Trail in Blair Atholl

- A wee clip (aprox 3 mins long) to let you know what you missed.

 The Cairngorm Ceilidh Trail started 5 years old, providing training and performance opportunities to musicians between the ages of 16 and 20 years old. Some of the young musicians last night may well be considering a career in traditional music. One of the purposes of the Cairngorm Ceilidh Trail is to give everyone a taste of life on the road!

 This years Cairngorm Ceilidh Trail started in Kingussie on Tuesday 12th July and ends after fifteen appearances on the 22nd July in Glen Isla. Places visited along the way included, Glenmore Lodge, Landmark, Old Bridge Inn in Aviemore, Glenlivbet Distillery, Allargue Arms Hotel at Corgaff, Blair Castle and Blair Atholl village hall, Braemar Village Hall, Balmoral Castle, MacRobert Hall at Tarland, and The Retreat at Glenesk.

 The audeince last night consisted of a few locals, but a good number of holiday makers, including a French family who were staying a week in Blair Atholl, they said they had thoroughly enjoyed themselves and took their young family home exhausted after having part icipated in many of the ceildih dances throught out the evening.

Pitlochry's mystery shop, unveiled in the old Perth College premises.

The new business for the old Perth College premises in Pitlochry, has been unveiled amidst great pomp and ceremony. Over fifty businesses from across Highland Perthshire attended the opening of 'Amor' the Cashmere, Tweed and Home Furnishing Store. Both the business name and concept have had been kept a closely guarded secret until the opening.

 The opening ceremony began with two pipers from the Vale of Atholl Pipe Band playing outside the doors of the new business. The business name and all the windows remained covered to prevent people knowing the details of the new business.

 Kirpal Singh Sually the owner, welcomed everyone and proceeded to unveil 'Amor' by removing the sheet covering the business name board amongst great applause. Everyone then entered the building, with its windows covered, to be served with Champagne and canopies.

 Mr Sually explained to the invited guests that he had been working on the concept for the last 9 months, saying, "I approached Perth College to see whether I could acquire the premises, and six months later here we are with Amor." He continued, "I have worked closely with Cashmere and Harris Tweed suppliers, Lyle and Scott, Brooktaverner and Magee developing a range of products for Amor, further supplies are in the pipe line."

 Mr Sually went on to announce the 'Guess the Business Competition' winner, as Kirsty McWilliam who correct guessed the business name 'Amor', Mr Sually presented her with a £50 voucher to spend in Amor.

 Mr Sually had one final request of his guests and that was to help him unwrap the new shop from the inside by removing all the paper covering Amor's shop windows, thanking everyone for coming and helping him to launch 'Amor'.

 Messages of good luck were sent by Peter Guthrie the Development Officer for Highland Perthshire Destination Management Organisation, who apologised for not being able to attend as he was on holiday but said, "It is really great to see a quality business moving in to Pitlochry's high street."

 Mary Bover secretary of Pitlochry in Bloom said, "Pitlochry does need an upmarket business like this, it looks absolutely wonderful, it has class, style and is so subtle. A great new asset for the Pitlochry shops. I wish Mr Sually every success and look forward to shopping in Amor".   

 Mr Sually also thanked everyone who had worked so hard to get 'Amor' open, his own family, Jean and Willie who works with him in the Scotish Shop next door, Ian Lewis Designs the architect, Grant Structural Services, Beveridge Builders, Kraftwork Joinery and Macolm Hewitt Joinery, Gordon Eason Electricians, James Lang Decorators, Allan Moncrieff Alarms and Richard Drummond from Strathgarry Restaurant for the canopies and drinks.