Alan Cumming Unveils New Queer Festival in Scotland
Graham Norton, Ian McKellen, and Armistead Maupin are set to appear in the Scottish Highlands this January as part of a new LGBTQ+ arts festival. Alan Cumming, known for hosting the hit show The Traitors and running his own cabaret club, Club Cumming, in New York City, has taken on the role of artistic director at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre.
Cumming began this role earlier in 2025, with his first programming planned for early 2026. Among the festival's initial projects is Out In The Hills, a small queer arts event scheduled from January 16 to 18, 2026.
Festival Location and Setting
The Pitlochry Festival Theatre is located in the Highlands of Perthshire, roughly two hours north of Edinburgh. Situated on the edge of the River Tummel, it overlooks spectacular views of Ben-y-Vrackie, also known as the ‘Speckled Mountain.’ Although the Highlands are cold in winter, the region offers breathtaking scenery year-round.
Festival Highlights
- Ian McKellen will perform a rehearsed reading of his new one-man play, Equinox.
- Alan Cumming will lead a cast of six in Me and the Girls, a new stage adaptation of Noel Coward’s 1964 short story.
- Cumming will also have a conversation with TV chat show host Graham Norton.
"Out In The Hills offers a unique opportunity to enjoy some theatrical queer life away from the summer Pride season."
This distinctive winter festival presents a fresh cultural experience in a stunning, remote setting, led by a passionate advocate for queer arts in Scotland.
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