A Perthshire market town is set to dazzle as part of an ambitious new festival of fire and light.
The medieval-themed celebration will see streets around Crieff transformed with colourful displays, animations and theatrical performances.
It is hoped the six-night ticketed event, due to launch in March, will bring in visitors from across the country, delivering a boost to the local economy.
Organisers Crieff Succeeds had originally planned to stage the event at Drummond Castle, but new manager David McCann decided it would have greater impact in Crieff town centre.
The group is poised to secure an award of £24,900 from Perth and Kinross Council for production costs.
A projected spending plan shows with local authority support and good ticket sales, plus £5,000 of sponsorship, the event should break even.
Around £15,000 could be made from tickets, based on eight groups of about 30 people each night.
Mr McCann said: “The Fire and Light Festival would be a wonderful opportunity to showcase Crieff’s cultural and heritage assets, but also to both highlight and celebrate the town’s fascinating history.
“I am grateful to Perth and Kinross Council for giving consideration to the event and hope that next year we will be shining a very bright light on the beautiful and historic town of Crieff, which will be seen by folk from all over the nation.”
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The event will focus on various town centre locations including Leadenflower, Old St Michael’s, Crieff Town Hall and James Square.
Visitors would follow a trail using audio-visual headsets, pausing at five performance sites along the way.
The performances will draw from the area’s Jacobite connections and tell the story of how most of Crieff was destroyed by fire in the early 18th century.
Organisers have been working on the plans with teams behind other successful outdoor events, including the Enchanted Forest, Electric Glen in East Renfrewshire, Colours of Cluny in Forres and the Spirits of Scone.
Conservative councillor Angus Forbes, convener of the Environment and Infrastructure Committee, added: “This cultural event would be of great benefit to Crieff town centre, giving locals and visitors alike a great chance to spend the day exploring the local area, and then experience the Fire and Light Festival at night in the town.
“It is my hope that if the event takes place in 2020, that it will become a successful reoccurring cultural event in Crieff.”
