Light festivals in Scotland bring tourism boom for dark autumn days

Light festivals have become increasingly popular in recent years, offering visitors the option of exploring rural woodlands lit with tens of thousands of twinkling lights, to urban city trails and events like GlasGLOW, currently running Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens.

Enchanted Forest at Faskally Wood now attracts around 120,000 visitors (Image: VisitScotland / Kenny Lam)

Barely seen just a few years ago, light shows and winter festivals have expanded from a few events to towns and cities across the country.

They are now said to be having a significant impact on driving up Scotland’s visitor numbers, among them international tourists who travel specifically to take in a light show as part of their stay.

Encouraging more off-peak season visitors to Scotland is a key target of tourism chiefs who are keen encourage more sustainable and responsible tourism, particularly during months when there are fewer crowds and hospitality venues, shops and attractions are quieter.

And although Scotland already has a packed calendar of annual festivals, from the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe to book festivals, music, science and storytelling festivals, most take place during the busier spring and summer months.

Winter light festivals, however, raise the prospects of towns and cities receiving an autumnal and winter boost.

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Now entering its final week, the Enchanted Forest in Perthshire pioneered the concept of light festivals when it launched in 2002.

Just 3000 visitors made their way to Faskally Wood, for a light show that turned the dark forest into a blaze of colour.

The annual event now attracts 85,000 visitors from all over the world, and is said to contribute £10m to the local economy each year.

Faskally Wood in Perthshire is lit up for the Enchanted Forest event (Image: VisitScotland)

While the number of visitors to the Enchanted Forest event, which typically runs for throughout October, now outnumber the total visitors for the entire year who visit Faskally Wood.

A recent independent economic impact assessment report commissioned by the Enchanted Forest Community Trust, says there has been a collective economic impact of £73 million since the first Enchanted Forest in 22 years ago.

Enchanted Forest in Highland Perthshire was one of Scotland's first light festivals (Image: Kenny Lam)

It found last year’s event attracted visitors from more than two dozen different countries to explore the 66 acres site in Highland Perthshire.

Nela Popovic, CEO of The Enchanted Forest Community Trust said the event showcases Scotland’s natural landscape at its autumnal best and brings together creative minds from across the UK.

As well as benefiting accommodation providers in the area such as Fishers Hotel, Scotland’s Spa Hotel and McKay’s Hotel, it had boosted eateries and Pitlochry’s local shops.

She added: “Proceeds from the event raised are pumped into local community initiatives, administered through the Enchanted Forest Community Fund.

“To date the fund has reinvested £430,000 back into the Highland Perthshire region, benefitting more than 175 local community groups, projects, and charities.”

Dazzling lights brighten up Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (Image: Credit Phil Wilkinson.)

The success of Enchanted Forest has sparked a host of similar light-based autumn and winter events.

First launched in 2010, GlasGlow’s 2024 events sold out within days of tickets going on sale, with the event expected to attract more than 80,000 people before it ends on November 10.

It says it delivers a multi-million pound impact on the local economy and create 150 predominately local jobs.

A similar light show event is held at the Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh in December.

Aberdeen’s Spectra festival, typically held in February and now in its tenth year sees Granite City centre locations bathed in colour and light, including Marischal College, Union Terrace Gardens, and Aberdeen Art Gallery.

Aberdeen's Spectra light festival attracts around 120,000 visitors (Image: VisitScotland / Kenny Lam)

Run by Aberdeen City Council, it began as a small pilot project in 2014 involving artists who decorated shops, bars and galleries with public artworks.

The first event attracted around 17,500 and it has grown significantly, with latest estimates of around 120,000 visitors to the city at a time when tourist numbers would normally be low.

It has expanded dramatically: as well as lighting key city centre buildings, visitors view interactive augmented reality artworks across the city centre via their phones, there’s a street performance programme, light installations, projections and art events.

GlasGlow has become a regular event at the city's Botanic Gardens (Image: Colin Mearns)

Its success has led Aberdeen City Council to consider bathing its key buildings, streets and trees in festival-coloured lights all year round and inspired Winter, Wonder, Wander, a November light festival at the city’s Duthie Gardens.

Light-themed running events have also taken off: the Illuminator run at Glen Tanar Estate in Aboyne has just been held, with runners wearing headlights racing through woodland, and night-time Supernova 5K runs at the Kelpies and Forth Road Bridge attract thousands of entrants.

Historic attractions and country houses have also joined the light festival bandwagon: Castle of Light is set to return to Edinburgh Castle for its fifth year, with huge projection shows, music and interactive installations.

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One of Scotland’s newest events, Monteviot Lights at Monteviot House & Gardens in Jedburgh, the official home of the Marquis of Lothian, returns in December for its second year.

It gives visitors the opportunity to explore Monteviot Gardens as darkness falls, following a 1.8km route through lit gardens and woods.

The organisers expect the 2024 event will attract 10,000 visitors and are said to be keen to replicate the Enchanted Forest formula in the Scottish Borders.

Monteviot Lights is among Scotland's newest light festivals (Image: FoHo Studios/NL Productions)

Michael Kerr, the 13th Marquis of Lothian, said: “Last year’s event was a huge success, and we’ve taken all the feedback from our visitors to make this year’s trail even more magical.

“We’ve introduced new elements, expanded the light displays, and created a more immersive experience that truly captures the spirit of the season.”

The festival attracts significant numbers of visitors from central Scotland and northern England, with around 10% opting to stay in the area during their visit.

According to VisitScotland figures, off-season tourism between January and March and October to December last year generated £2.5bn with around 7.6m visits made.

Rob Dickson, VisitScotland Director of Industry & Events, said: “Events are a key part of the visitor experience, and winter light festivals have become a popular and innovative way to enjoy Scotland’s surroundings during the darker, winter months.

Monteviot Lights, at Monteviot House & Gardens, Jedburgh (Image: FoHo Studios/NL Productions)

“These events not only delight and entertain, they also provide a welcome boost to local tourism at traditionally quieter times of year.

“We know that the cost-of-living challenges, as well as a growing appreciation for responsible travel, have led to an increased demand for off season travel from both domestic and international markets. These visitors, whether here for a day or longer all support the valuable visitor economy by booking accommodation, dining out or using local businesses.

“This creates jobs and sustains communities.

“Encouraging seasonal spread and helping tourism and events to extend the season is a key part of our work to make Scotland a must-visit, must-return year-round destination.”