Alan Cumming to bring queer joy to the Scottish Highlands with 'Out In The Hills' featuring Ian McKellen, Graham Norton, and more!

In January 2026, the picturesque Highland town of Pitlochry will be transformed into a beacon of creativity, inclusivity, and celebration as the Pitlochry Festival Theatre launches Out in the Hills, a vibrant new LGBTQ+ festival running from 16–18 January 2026.

Curated by the theatre’s new Artistic Director, Alan Cumming, the three-day event promises a rich tapestry of theatre, music, film, literature, and conversation, spotlighting queer voices and stories from across the UK and beyond. Cumming describes the festival as “a weekend of queer joy” and a bold statement of solidarity at a time when LGBTQ+ communities continue to face challenges.

The festival boasts an extraordinary roster of talent, including Sir Ian McKellen, who will perform in Equinox, a rehearsed reading of a new one-man play by Laurie Slade, directed by Sean Mathias. Cumming himself will lead a cast in Me and the Girls, a fresh adaptation of Noel Coward’s 1964 short story by Neil Bartlett.

Other highlights include:

• Graham Norton in conversation with Alan Cumming
• Juano Diaz reading from his memoir Slum Boy, accompanied by percussion legend Dame Evelyn Glennie
• Literary icons Armistead Maupin and Jackie Kay in discussion
• Former MP turned comedian Mhairi Black speaking with broadcaster Gemma Cairney
• A panel on LGBTQ+ inclusion in football, hosted by Zander Murray, Scotland’s first openly gay professional footballer

Beyond the headline acts, Out in the Hills offers a diverse programme of events including photography exhibitions, drop-in art sessions inspired by Keith Haring and Frida Kahlo, a queer ceilidh, DJ sets, and workshops for young people. Topics range from crime writing and baking to sport and history, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Programmer Lewis Hetherington shared his excitement: “It feels more important than ever for us to celebrate difference, to find harmony together in all the various songs we sing. Come with an open heart and mind and you’ll leave with a richer understanding of the world around you.”

For Graham Norton, the festival marks a poignant return. “When I left drama school almost forty years ago, the very first job that I didn’t get was at Pitlochry Festival Theatre,” he said. “I am delighted to finally be making my debut and in such stellar company.”