Travel: Electric Glen will bring Scottish County Park to life

The Electric Glen will run over two long weekends (Thursday to Sunday, February 6-9 and 13-16, around the Scottish and English half term holidays. The hour long illuminated trail, past dramatic waterfalls and beautifully lit natural landscapes, offers a magical night out for the whole family.

The festival will also be part of the Homecoming Scotland 2014 celebrations – a year-long programme of events designed to celebrate all that is great about Scotland whilst placing the spotlight on its greatest assets.

The route will take visitors along wooded pathways through the glen, with its dramatic waterfalls, to the ornamental boating pond. A family fun trail, with visual, sound and performance based clues to discover along the way, will highlight the social history of the park – the Crum family who owned the estate in the 19th Century and their links to the local Thornliebanks print-works, which helped put Glasgow on the international textiles map more than 200 years ago.

At the end of the trail the boating lake will host a series of interactive activities for children and adults alike, including ‘Splosh’ – which will make throwing stones into the water a truly magical experience and ‘Curling’ – where a favourite Scottish past-time is given a new twist, involving hovercraft technology and brooms!

Creative Producer, Zoe Bottrell from Culture Creative who put on the event said: “Whether you’re local to the area or plan a visit to Glasgow this February, Electric Glen 2014 will be a great night out for young and old.

It’s a stunning natural landscape and provides us with great material to create a magical illuminated event. We’ve kept some of last year’s best bits but we’re also working with more commissioned artists, to bring new visual and textural elements and explore a whole new aspect of Rouken Glen Park’s unique social history, which all ties into being part of Homecoming Scotland.”

“Rouken Glen is just a short 20 minute hop on the train from Glasgow central, with direct access into the park from Whitecraigs Station, so makes an alternative night out for anyone enjoying a half term or Valentine’s city break in Glasgow. We’ve also teamed up with some local hotels to offer deals and ticket packages for those travelling from further afield,” added Zoe.

Electric Glen will run for eight days from February 6-9 and 13-16, Thursday to Sunday over a two-week period. Entry will be between 5.30pm and 8.30pm each evening with tickets bookable for 20 minute time slots. The route takes about one hour to complete (or longer should you care to linger).

Tickets cost £7.50 (adults), £5 (children/concessions/disabled including free ticket for carer) or £20 for a family ticket (2 adults / 2 children). Under 5’s are FREE. Some parts of the route are not ‘wheel’ friendly so disabled access lakeside and waterfall only tickets, are available for £3. To book online visit www.electricglen.co.uk or call the box office on 0844 49 99 990.

Contemporary city centre apart hotel Fraser Suites Glasgow is offering 10% discount on 1 and 2 bedroom apartment bookings for Electric Glen visitors. Minimum 2 night stay, based on 2 people sharing 1 bed apartment and up to 4 sharing a 2 bed apartment. Prices start from £99 per room per night. Subject to availability.

Email [email protected] or call 0141 553 4288 and quote ELECTRIC14. Visit www.fraserhospitality.com for more information.

Independently owned gastro-pub Orchard Park Hotel, Bar & Grill is located just a 5 minute drive away from Rouken Glen Park and is offering an Electric Glen overnight package for £95 per person which includes accommodation in a double room (based on 2 sharing), dinner, bed & breakfast, as well as tickets to the Electric Glen light festival. To book call 0141 638 1044 or visit www.orchardparkhotel.co.uk.

Rouken Glen is 6 miles south of Glasgow (15 minute drive from the city centre) just off J3 of the M77 with ample parking for cars. There is a half hourly direct train service from Glasgow Central to Whitecraigs Station (20 minute journey time) with direct access into the park.