Scotland’s biggest light show called off amid coronavirus uncertainty
Scotland's biggest annual light show has been called off in the face of ongoing uncertainty over how long restrictions on events will be kept in place this year.
Organisers of The Enchanted Forest, the month-long Perth shire event which has sold more than 80,000 tickets in recent years, said they could not take the financial risk of pressing ahead with their plans. They say they ran out of time waiting for clear Scottish Government guidelines on how the monthlong event, which is normally worth £7.6 million to the economy, could be staged in the autumn.
Under Scotland’s current route map, events and entertainment will be allowed to resume on 17 May. Flagship events for more than 5000 spectators can be approved the scottish Government.
However new guidelines published last week suggest all indoor and outdoor events planned for later this year must enforce two metre social distancing.
Are view of these guidelines is expected to be carried out over the next few weeks following a blacklash from event organisers.
Some light shows were able to go ahead in Scotland last year, including Christmas at the Bona tic sand wondrous woods in Edinburgh, despite restrictions on live entertainment.
However the 2020 edition of the enchanted forest, which has previously been named Scotland’s best cultural event and the country’s best outdoor festival, was cancelled last May.
An official announcement said: “It is with heavy hearts and great sadness that we have reached a decision to cancel The Enchanted Forest in 2021.
“Like a great many events, we had sincerely hoped that we’d be able to operate this year. We have planned with that in our hearts, while waiting patiently on the necessary guidance and clarity that would enable us to proceed safely.
“That clarity and guidance has, sadly, not been forthcoming in sufficient time for us and, regrettably, the financial risk of proceeding and potentially havingto cancel at a later date is too considerable for a small charitable event operator to bear.”