Pitlochry’s Out in the Hills Festival returns from 28 to 31 January 2027, bringing four days of LGBTQIA+ culture to Scotland’s hills. Curated by Lewis Hetherington, the programme will mix conversations, new theatre, dance, music and poetry, with familiar names including Rosie Jones, Yotam Ottolenghi, Armistead Maupin, Val McDermid and Stephen Libby. Tickets start at £18.
Four days of LGBTQIA+ culture come to Pitlochry
There’s plenty to look forward to in the Out in the Hills Festival’s four-day return, from 28 to 31 January 2027. Pitlochry Festival Theatre says the programme will bring together conversations with LGBTQIA+ icons, first looks at new plays, dance and music events, poetry readings and discussions. It’s an inviting mix for a winter weekend, with the theatre offering a warm gathering place while the hills provide a dramatic backdrop. [2], [3]
Familiar names, fresh ideas
Rosie Jones, Yotam Ottolenghi, Armistead Maupin, Val McDermid and Stephen Libby are among the announced participants. Their presence hints at a programme that reaches beyond one art form, though the full line-up and individual event details are best checked as the festival approaches. [2], [4]
And the topics are deliberately wide-ranging. Alongside the arts, discussions are set to touch on house renovations, snowboarding and ecology, giving audiences a chance to follow an unexpected thread or discover a new one. [2], [4]
What to expect from Out in the Hills 2027
The festival is curated by Lewis Hetherington and follows a successful earlier edition, according to Pitlochry Festival Theatre. Its return gives the programme room to bring performance and conversation together, rather than treating them as separate parts of the weekend. [2], [3]
That variety is part of the appeal: you might come for a play or a familiar speaker, then find yourself drawn into a poetry reading or a discussion about the natural world. The theatre’s wider programme also features events such as Let’s Go Outside, Wild Things and Drag Me Up, offering a sense of the range of work presented at the venue. [4], [5], [6], [7]
Planning a January trip to Pitlochry
Tickets start at £18. For current programme details and booking information, visit the Pitlochry Festival Theatre website or call 01796 484626. As event schedules and availability can change, it’s worth checking the venue’s listings before making travel plans. [2], [3], [4]
If you’re travelling for the weekend, think about which events you most want to see and leave a little breathing room around them. A festival that pairs performances with conversations can reward a slower pace, and Pitlochry’s setting makes it tempting to turn a ticket into a short winter break. [3], [4]
A winter festival with room for discovery
Out in the Hills brings LGBTQIA+ stories and perspectives to the heart of Pitlochry, with a programme spanning performance, ideas and everyday subjects. The mix looks well suited to regular theatre-goers and curious first-timers alike. [2], [3]
The most interesting moments may be the unexpected ones: a new play, a lively conversation or a topic you hadn’t planned to explore. Keep an eye on the festival listings as more details emerge. [2], [4]
It's a small winter escape with plenty to talk about afterwards.
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