WATCH: New woodland light trail brings spark of magic to winter nights at Landmark Forest Adventure Park in Carrbridge
A new winter light trail is set to open for the first time this evening at one of the Cairngorms’ most popular parks.
Carrbridge-based Landmark Forest Adventure Park has unveiled its new attraction, the Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS, which will run from today (November 23) until February 19, 2025.
The experience will allow visitors to follow a one-chilometre-long woodland trail and immerse themselves in its stunning ancient pinewood forest among over 50,000 lights as well as visual and sound effects.
Special features include a UV light tunnel and a 'Red Squirrel Trail', a treetop journey that takes visitors eight meters up into the forest canopy for stunning views of the illuminated woodland below.
Ross Coulter, general manager for Landmark Forest Adventure Park, said: “We were really looking for a way to extend our summer season - we have this wonderful pinewood forest and we wanted to introduce people to this fantastic asset in the winter months. It’s something that has worked well in other places and we thought we’d give it a try!
“Hopefully people will get to enjoy the pinewood forest - literally - in a different light! From sounds, food, some twists and turns along the way.
“We started testing the waters with different lights a couple of years ago, but this year we have got a lot further than ever before! We opened a new space with a catering area - including a marshmallow roasting pit - and we have incorporated the Red Squirrel trail we have opened this summer - as well as a UV tunnel. “
Twi-LIGHTS will be open on weekends (Friday-Sunday), during the Christmas holiday period (December 20th-31st, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day), January 2nd-5th, and throughout the February Half-Term (February 8th-19th).
The event incorporates the original Treetop Trail, built nearly 30 years ago and now expanded for improved accessibility, including buggy and wheelchair access.
The catering area offers a selection of snacks and drinks - including hot dogs and hot chocolate, mulled cider and a marshmallow toasting kit.
Craig Mills, Cairngorms Business Partnership CEO, added: “The Cairngorms has always been really well known for being a premium winter destination for so many. A lot of people know it for its winter activities such as climbing and skiing, but it’s great to see Landmark do something different for the family market, I think it’s brilliant to see.
“We all know how difficult it is to get people to visit during winter, especially when there is so much snow, but this is something people come far and wide to see, I think it will encourage both locals and people coming from further afield, because what they have done here is absolutely fantastic.”
Lisa Anderson, Marketing and Sales Manager at Landmark Forest Adventure Park, said they expect nearly 10,000 visitors.
She said: “We’re excited to welcome people of all ages from across Scotland and the rest of the UK to this unforgettable experience".
Landmark Forest Adventure Park was named ‘Best Visitor Attraction’ 2024 at the Highlands & Islands Thistle Awards (HITA) earlier this month.
The opening hours for the light trail will be between 4pm and 6pm from November 23rd to January 5th, and from 6pm to 8pm during the February Half Term (February 8th-19th).
Tickets are priced at £15 for adults, £10 for children, toddlers at £5 and under 3's enter for free. Senior tickets are up for £10.
For more information on 'Ancient Forest Twi-LIGHTS' at Landmark Forest Adventure Park, go to the park’s website.
