Local pupils to star in soundtrack of Scotland’s favourite sound and light show

In anticipation of Scotland’s favourite sound and light show, The Enchanted Forest, opening next month on 5 October, Pitlochry High School pupils were busy yesterday (21 September) recording part of the musical soundtrack of the finale of the show, which this year is themed ‘From The Deep’.

The group of 23 P5 – S2 pupils gathered in the school’s assembly hall to record part of the show’s musical soundtrack which will feature the pupils singing a phrase in Gaelic ‘sgaoil an solus’ (pronounced ‘skoo-il na solas’) meaning ‘share the light’, to be included in a vocal harmony choir. Their singing will feature in the finale of this year’s popular sound and light show, which attracts 83,000 visitors annually through the five-week run.

The recording of the musical soundtrack of the show’s finale involved both primary and high school pupils at Pitlochry High and The Enchanted Forest’s creative team, a collaboration of some of the UK’s leading event production companies and creative talents, including Karen Falconer, creative director at event management agency, Wavemakers Live, Marcin Buczek, director of DM Audio, and composer and sound designer, Jon Beales.

As the name suggests, this year’s show, which will run from 5 October to 5 November 2023, has an oceanic theme and has been designed to create a bigger splash than ever before. Using captivating visuals and an original music score, this year’s show will see visitors transported into the depths of an underwater world. Blending light, video, and sound to create a truly unique visitor experience, Faskally Wood will transform into an underwater forest with a deep watery glow of aqua blue and green.

As with previous years, this year’s show will include several impressive installations, including a spectacular light show over Loch Dunmore which will use music, animation, projection, beams, lights, and lasers to tell the story of bioluminescent creatures that are found throughout marine habitats, from the ocean surface to the deep seafloor.

Ryan Webber, music teacher at Pitlochry High School, said: “The children are thrilled to be involved in recording part of the musical soundtrack for the finale of The Enchanted Forest’s ‘From The Deep’ show. We have been working hard on their Gaelic to ensure they sound excellent. To be a part of such a hugely successful, well-regarded, and popular local event is fantastic, and they are all looking forward to hearing their voices as part of the show when they visit.”

Nela Popovic, executive director of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, said: “We’re delighted to have the involvement of local pupils at Pitlochry High School within this year’s show; they will have a fundamental role to play in the finale of the event, and the story of the show, which is weaved throughout every installation.

“With only a few weeks to go, we cannot wait to welcome visitors back to the beautiful Faskally Wood for an extraordinary oceanic themed show. Our team have been working extremely hard behind the scenes to create an event which will create a big splash, encouraging our visitors to soak up the incredible atmosphere. The pupil’s involvement in the musical soundtrack will work to enhance the authenticity of the show’s finale, by bringing a fantastic Gaelic twist.”

The pupils at Pitlochry High School involved in the recording have been provided with complimentary tickets to the opening night of the show on 5 October by organisers, The Enchanted Forest Community Trust, as a thank you for their contribution.

Tickets for the 2023 show ‘From the Deep’ are currently on sale, with this year’s oceanic theme set to transform Faskally Wood into an underwater adventure for visitors, taking them from the metaphoric depths of the ocean to the shorelines of Loch Dunmore as they make their way around the forest trail this Autumn. The Enchanted Forest runs from 5 October to 5 November and to book tickets, or to find out more information, please visit: www.enchantedforest.org.uk.