Inverness Botanic Gardens becomes ‘BOOtanics’ for Halloween
Issued by High Life Highland
Supported by the Inverness Common Good Fund, and on behalf of the Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group, High Life Highland will transform Inverness Botanic Gardens this October as the popular Bught Park visitor attraction hosts its first ever night-time illuminations trail.
‘Night @ the BOOtanics’ will be an immersive light and projection experience bringing the plants, gardens and unexpected features to life this Halloween.
Provost of Inverness and Area, Cllr Helen Carmichael said, “It is very exciting that despite the many challenges in the events sector, our partners have managed to present a new experience for the people of Inverness to enjoy.
“This year, we are spreading the Halloween fun over four nights to let families enjoy the illuminations in a more relaxed manner whilst ensuring a safe and COVID-compliant experience throughout the trail.”
Speaking about the event, Amy MacLeod, High Life Highland’s Events Development Manager, said, “Thanks to the support of the Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group and funding from the Inverness Common Good Fund we are able to open the Inverness Botanic Gardens for the first time after dark and deliver a new illuminations trail. The experience will see the atmospheric gardens bathed in incredible lighting effects and allow families to wander through the ‘BOOtanics’, encountering unexpected characters and spooky goings-on along the trick-or-treat trail.
“As part of delivering the experiences on behalf of the Events and Festivals Working Group, HLH has been very keen to work with local partners, so I am really pleased to be working with colleagues from Arts in Motion, Limelights and also Eden Court and The Florians, who will bring a theatrical twist to the trail experience.”
Lucy McGlennon, Eden Court’s Head of Engagement, who is coordinating theatre’s role for the BOOtanics said, “We’re delighted to be working alongside partners to deliver a Halloween event this year. Collaborating on the BOOtanics not only offers something fun and spooky, and different, for families to attend, but also creates paid opportunities for local artists after a long period of very little. The City’s Halloween event is much loved in our calendar, and we’re very happy to be dusting off our cloaks and digging out our thermals again this year!”
Amy Macleod from High Life Highland continued, “I am also really delighted that Betty Booth will be working with us at the event. With so many calendar marking occasions missed last year, we really wanted to assist families in having some Halloween fun, so we are encouraging people attending the event to dress up and capture their 2021 Halloween experience in Betty’s iconic caravan photobooth.
‘Night @ the BOOtanics’ will take place across four nights from Wednesday 27th to Saturday 30th October. Trails begin from 5.45pm with the gardens closing at 8.30pm. Individuals and families are being asked to book through the Eventbrite page links that can be found on High Life Highland’s social media pages and website. This will allow HLH to ensure full compliance with the Scottish Government’s guidelines, and support colleagues in NHS Highland in relation to mitigating the spread of COVID-19. Numbers for each event are limited in line with guidelines, therefore those intending to come along are being encouraged to book as early as possible.
“Inverness Botanic Gardens will remain open as usual throughout Halloween Weekend. On Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st October families are encouraged to dress up to visit the ‘BOOtancis’ where they can experience more Halloween fun as well as a photo opportunity in Betty Booth’s caravan. As the gardens will be open as normal, there is no need to book to attend during the day.
Concluding, Provost of Inverness and Area, Cllr Helen Carmichael, said said, “Families, particularly those with young children, have had a really challenging period throughout the pandemic. We are therefore working hard to offer a safe, secure and compliant experience that allows everyone attending to enjoy even a small level of normality around Halloween.”
‘Night @ the BOOtanics’ is being delivered by High Life Highland on behalf of The Highland Council’s Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group and is one of a series of experiences that are funded by the Inverness Common Good Fund.