Organisers say the 2012 Perthshire Amber Festival was the best yet - generating over £750,000 for the local economy.
Despite an unsettled financial climate, 14 of the 18 concerts during the festival sold out and visitor numbers were up over 10% on last year.
The festival, which takes place at the end of October for ten days, featured 250 musicians in 25 venues across Perthshire, including Blairgowrie Town Hall, Caputh Church and Butterstone Village Hall.
Festival director Jennifer MacLean said: “We are overwhelmed with the success of this year’s festival. We had visitors come from 23 countries across the world, some amazing concerts, a great selection of workshops, talks, the ever-popular open mic and Cabaret Amber and lots of community events. After a terribly wet summer we had a glorious autumn and feedback from festival-goers and local businesses has been tremendously positive.”
Dougie MacLean OBE, added: “I want to say a massive thanks to everyone involved in the festival. To the local community who get behind the festival in so many ways –I am very proud of the welcome and support they give the festival and in particular to everyone who joined us for the decorated wheelbarrow procession in the streets of Dunkeld – it’s a real highlight of the festival for me.
“To the festival-goers, some who return every year and some new faces who came for the first time this year - they create such a wonderful atmosphere and, for me, make all the hard work worthwhile.
“Huge thanks to all my musician friends who travel to join us at the festival – there were some fascinating collaborations this year and I really enjoyed all the performances.
“To our festival team, which includes a great number of volunteers – we couldn’t do it without you. And to our sponsors, funders and the media – a big thank you for your fantastic support.
“Ten days is a long festival to be the host for ... and yet again this year I came close to losing my voice! But, as we reflect on the festival, I truly believe it was the best yet and I can’t wait for Perthshire Amber 2013!”
The festival also supports two charities, and although the Big Knit Blanket is still to be auctioned online, the Hats for the Homeless initiative has already raised over £1400 for Shelter Scotland. Throughout the ten days, festival-goers brought record quantities of non-perishable food for the Amber Harvest, which is then distributed by the Cyrenians via the Good Food in Tackling Homelessness initiative.
