Renowned actor and director Alan Cumming has lauded the inaugural Out In The Hills Festival in Perthshire as an "extraordinary" celebration of LGBTQIA+ arts and culture. The three-day event, which concluded on Sunday 18 January 2026, was organised by the Pitlochry Festival Theatre where Cumming serves as artistic director.
A Festival of Inclusion and Celebration
The festival, described by organisers as a celebration of all things LGBTQIA+, featured a vibrant programme of theatre, music, film, and dance. It attracted a host of high-profile guests from the arts and media, creating a significant cultural moment for Scotland. Cumming emphasised that bringing people together was his core mission in his role, a goal he felt the festival had spectacularly achieved.
Sir Ian McKellen delivered a powerful rehearsed reading of the one-man play Equinox by Laurie Slade. In a notable highlight, Alan Cumming himself took to the stage to interview popular broadcaster Graham Norton. The festival also provided a platform for insightful conversations, with television producer Russell T Davies discussing novelist Jackie Kay's book Red Dust Road.
Powerful Voices and Personal Stories
Further enriching the festival's diverse lineup, celebrated crime writer Val McDermid contributed to the proceedings. In a particularly impactful session, Zander Smith, recognised as Scotland's first openly gay professional footballer, shared his experiences as part of a panel discussion. These events underscored the festival's commitment to visibility and storytelling across different spheres of public life.
Reflecting on the event's success, Cumming stated: "The atmosphere in the building has been extraordinary – the love, inclusion, respect and joy have been unsurpassed." He noted that the festival's triumph was measured not just in strong ticket sales, but more profoundly in how it made attendees feel supported and seen.
A Hopeful Path Forward for Scottish Arts
Cumming concluded that the festival's reception highlights the vital importance of the work done at Pitlochry Festival Theatre. He framed it as a hopeful model for the future, demonstrating how the arts can foster unity and celebration within communities across Scotland. The resounding success of Out In The Hills Festival sets a promising precedent for its potential return, cementing Pitlochry's role as a hub for inclusive and groundbreaking cultural events.
