Scotland's festival scene got a major injection of fun and flair last weekend when the Pitlochry Festival Theatre launched its inaugural LGBTQ+ event, Out in the Hills. Under new artistic director Alan Cumming's bold vision, the idyllic venue was transformed into a buzzing social hub, hosting talks, scratch performances, workshops, and even a Queer As Folk! ceilidh led by the Malin Lewis Trio.
The atmosphere was electric, with many attendees still basking in the excitement of the previous night's event. The lineup featured a range of talents, from trans playwright Jo Clifford and her daughter Catriona Innes, to Finlay Wilson's Kilted Yoga (because, why not?). Meanwhile, audience members were also treated to performances by notable figures like Sir Ian McKellen.
McKellen himself made an appearance at the festival, joining Cumming for a conversation that was both witty and heartfelt. The actor brought his trademark intensity to a rehearsed reading of Laurie Slade's Equinox, a monologue that delved into themes of regret, family, and attraction.
The show was also notable for its commitment to representation and inclusivity, with events designed to spark lively discussions about homophobia, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. Graham Norton, who joined Cumming on stage for the aforementioned chat, brought his signature blend of humor, gossip, and compassion to the conversation.
Norton's enthusiasm was infectious, as he gushed about the event and its impact: "I love that there's this big gay thing in the middle of Scotland." His trademark wit and charm were on full display as he fielded audience questions, skewering himself with jokes while also tackling tough topics like conversion therapy.
The atmosphere was electric, with many attendees still basking in the excitement of the previous night's event. The lineup featured a range of talents, from trans playwright Jo Clifford and her daughter Catriona Innes, to Finlay Wilson's Kilted Yoga (because, why not?). Meanwhile, audience members were also treated to performances by notable figures like Sir Ian McKellen.
McKellen himself made an appearance at the festival, joining Cumming for a conversation that was both witty and heartfelt. The actor brought his trademark intensity to a rehearsed reading of Laurie Slade's Equinox, a monologue that delved into themes of regret, family, and attraction.
The show was also notable for its commitment to representation and inclusivity, with events designed to spark lively discussions about homophobia, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. Graham Norton, who joined Cumming on stage for the aforementioned chat, brought his signature blend of humor, gossip, and compassion to the conversation.
Norton's enthusiasm was infectious, as he gushed about the event and its impact: "I love that there's this big gay thing in the middle of Scotland." His trademark wit and charm were on full display as he fielded audience questions, skewering himself with jokes while also tackling tough topics like conversion therapy.
I'm so glad to see festivals like Out in the Hills celebrating diversity and inclusivity. It's a great way to bring people together and create a space for everyone to feel welcome and heard. I loved that Sir Ian McKellen was involved, he's always been an advocate for LGBTQ+ rights. The energy at the event was really palpable, it's clear that there was a lot of passion and excitement around it. It's awesome that Graham Norton was able to bring his humor and charm to the conversation, even tackling tough topics like conversion therapy. 
and I'm OBSESSED! 
stats say 82% of attendees felt more connected to their LGBTQ+ community after the event, with 67% saying they're inspired to take action on LGBTQ+ rights 
. the lineup was on point too - 9 out of 10 performers received an average rating of 4.5/5 from the audience 
. and let's talk about the representation: 95% of speakers identified as LGBTQ+, with 73% stating that they're proud to be part of the community 
. also, the event generated a whopping 2.3k tweets in just one hour - that's like 43 tweets per minute 
. and did you know that the event raised Β£10k for local LGBTQ+ charities? 
. It's crazy how a space can be so transformed by inclusivity and community, right? The way Alan Cumming brought this all together was truly inspiring - it's like he tapped into this collective energy that made everyone feel seen and heard 
. And I loved how they didn't just stop at representation, but actually sparked these deep conversations about the complexities of identity and belonging... it's not always easy to talk about these things, you know? But when we do, it can be super powerful 
. It just makes me wonder what other spaces are like this... how many more festivals and events like Out in the Hills can we have?
and it's awesome to see Scotland taking LGBTQ+ pride to the next level 
with so many talented performers, from Sir Ian McKellen to Finlay Wilson's Kilted Yoga 
. And I love how Graham Norton brought his signature humor and compassion to the conversation 
. It's all about representation and inclusivity, which is what this festival is all about 
It's amazing to see a venue like the Pitlochry Festival Theatre hosting an LGBTQ+ event with such a sick lineup of performers and talents 
And can we talk about the ceilidh led by the Malin Lewis Trio? That sounds like SO much fun! 
. It's so important that events like this are created to spark lively discussions about homophobia, LGBTQ+ rights, and more 
. Can't wait to see what other amazing events the Pitlochry Festival Theatre has in store! 
The whole thing felt a bit forced, you know? Like they were trying too hard to prove a point. And what's with the awkward chat between McKellen and Cumming about homophobia? 
It felt like an afterthought or something. And don't even get me started on the ceilidh... Queer As Folk!? Really? 
. And then I found out they sold out like 2 minutes after it went live? No thanks! Can't we have some kind of streamlined system where I can just chill at home and enjoy the fest without having a heart attack? 
cant wait to see what scotland does next for lgbtq+ events 
. Graham Norton was the perfect host, as always - his humor & compassion are just what this event needed 
! The atmosphere was seriously electric, and it's amazing that they got such an incredible lineup of talents 
. Can't wait to see what they do next!
. Not to mention, the Malin Lewis Trio's Queer As Folk ceilidh got 427 likes on TikTok within 24 hours 
!
. The event raised a whopping Β£12,000 for local LGBTQ+ charities 
! What did u think of Out in the Hills? Should we see more events like this in Scotland? 
- he brought this infectious enthusiasm to the conversation, making it feel like we were all just having a chat around the campfire.
. It's events like these that remind us of how far we've come, but also how much work there's still to be done. Still, it's heartening to see the LGBTQ+ community celebrating and thriving in all its forms 
! It's amazing to see Pitlochry Festival Theatre take a stand for inclusivity and representation 
There's gotta be some big money on the line with this kind of high-profile involvement... Sir Ian McKellen showing up too, that's a major PR stunt. Graham Norton's just along for the ride, milking his platform to promote something he probably doesn't even fully support. And what about all these 'representative' events? Just an excuse to get people talking, right? 
The real question is: who's really calling the shots here? 