21CC GROUP CASE STUDY:

Wondrous Woods

Fact Sheet

Our Services

“Hopetoun House grounds like you’ve never seen it before. For the first time in the history of the Hopetoun Estate, the grounds are going to be extensively lit up with features and effects to create a magical, mystical woodland journey” - The Scotsman

The Brief

To design, conceptualise, and safely deliver a major 2km illuminated trail event at Hopetoun House – the first lighting trail of 2020 – during a global pandemic and national lockdowns; the trail was set to operate for 4 to 5 weeks during October and November in 2020 and 2021 and the project incorporated all of 21CC Group’s in-house services.

What we did

Inspiration for the brief came from the identification of the unique company structure, our speciality in-house skills and resource, and our vast stock of technical equipment during a time when the events sector was halted due to pandemic-related lockdowns and restrictions.

Led by 21CC Events & Design, the full event management was provided in house including stakeholder and supplier management, sponsorship and charity partnership management, and brand inception, website, social media marketing and licencing and event risk assessments, representing 21CC Group at all SAG meetings.

21CC Productions led on the creative aspects, designing and installing all lighting and soundscapes, along with all supportive power and control for this extensive lighting trail.

Health and safety and licensing, ensuring the experience created was held in a covid-safe environment and fully compliant with governmental restrictions.

The Covid Challenge: While guidelines and restrictions were ever-changing with new strains and variants of Covid-19 emerging unexpectedly, particularly in 2020, the team were responsible for liaising with EventScotland and West Lothian Council on a regular basis.

Making Events Accessible: 21CC Events worked closely with Scottish Autism, developing our autism-friendly evening in the form of a relaxed performance. Working in consultation, the entire trail was tailored to those who suffer from sensory processing disorders. The success of this accessible event in 2020, made for double the attendance for the event in 2021.

Facebook testimonial: “Was here last night with my boys after winning tickets through Scottish Autism and it was a fantastic night! The relaxed evening was perfect, everything was so calm, and the staff was lovely! Can’t wait to go back next year 🤞🏼 🦉 ✨”

The Results

A five-star illuminated trail experience that attracted nationwide media coverage from the likes of The Guardian, The Independent, The Scotsman, The Herald, Edinburgh Evening News and STV to name a few. Wondrous Woods attracted over 50,000 attendees across the two-year period with an audience who adored the entire experience and who fell in love with ‘Woody The Owl’ who was at the core of the illuminated trail branding and creative theme.

The Verdict

“This was a fabulous birthday treat. So well managed and very well thought out. Parking was easy and well managed. Entry quick, stewards throughout extremely helpful and friendly. Light displays amazing, such a joyous family outing. Two of our party were from France and were just so impressed with how smoothly everything went. I will certainly be back and huge congratulations to everyone involved for making such a memorable event for members of the public to enjoy. Thank you from us all and very best wishes for next year. One final thing, in these covid times we all felt totally safe and the spacing of groups was also impressive. Don’t change anything because you have got everything right. See you next year x”
Anonymous Survey Respondent.

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