Pitlochry Festival Theatre has announced the full lineup for its 21st Winter Words Festival, running from 21 to 23 February 2025. This celebrated three-day event will offer audiences a chance to experience a diverse mix of Scotland’s literary and cultural life, featuring some of the nation’s most renowned authors, poets, broadcasters, and chefs.
However, whilst the Festival is returning, Pitlochry’s long-time Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman will have departed for pastures new down in sunny Sheffield.
Alan Cumming Curates His Debut Festival
The 2025 Winter Words Festival marks a key milestone for Pitlochry, as Alan Cumming takes on the role of Artistic Director for the first time. Bringing his unique vision to the event, Cumming has curated a programme that promises to captivate audiences with a blend of thought-provoking literary discussions, performances, and culinary delights. This new chapter in the festival’s history offers a fresh and exciting perspective while staying true to its cultural roots.
Of course, whether Cumming will be present for some, or all of his opening Pitlochry gambit remains to be seen. Indeed, the question of just how present – or indeed absent – he will be as leader of one of Scotland’s most important bastions of the creative arts remains to be seen.
“It’s a happy surprise that my first bit of programming as Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s new Artistic Director is not plays but another of my passions- writers! And in the same way that I want to celebrate and nurture the best of Scottish talent in the work we produce onstage, I also want to make Winter Words Festival a literary celebration of our hugely rich Scottish heritage. So, I am delighted that we will be welcoming Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart, Mayflies and Caledonian Road author Andrew O’Hagan, the Quine of Crime Val McDermid, former Makar Liz Lochhead, and current Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen. We’ll also have a play, a play reading, cooking, yoga and running (yes, running!) events, the Geographer Royal and to top it all, Kirsty Wark!”
Alan Cumming – incoming Artistic Director of the Pitlochry Festival Theatre
A Star-Studded Lineup of Authors and Poets
A highlight of the festival is the impressive roster of literary talent on offer. Booker Prize-winning author Douglas Stuart, crime fiction legend Val McDermid, and essayist Andrew O’Hagan are just a few of the celebrated authors featured in this year’s programme. These leading writers will take part in engaging discussions about their latest works and their literary careers, with Cumming hosting many of these sessions.
The festival also presents Scotland’s finest poets, including former Scots Makar Liz Lochhead, Michael Pedersen (Edinburgh’s Makar), and Arun Sood, winner of the Kavya Prize for Scottish Writers of Colour. These poets are set to explore the contemporary literary landscape in conversation with each other and with audiences.
Celebrating Scottish Culture Beyond Books
Winter Words 2025 isn’t just about books of course; it also offers a rich cultural programme that will engage all the senses. Festival-goers can take part in literary lunches with some of Scotland’s best-loved food writers and chefs, including Carina Contini, Sarah Rankin, and Gareth Cole. A good natter and a hearty meal seems like ideal indoors entertainment in the colder months!
For whisky enthusiasts, Ghillie Bașan will lead an event focused on the Scottish spirit, sharing her career in food and her connections to whisky culture. Meanwhile, those looking for something more active can join yoga sessions with Finlay Wilson, bestselling author of Kilted Yoga, or participate in a 5km run with Chris Carse Wilson, author of Fray.
Readers might be interested to know that when Finlay was setting up his Yoga bastion, Heart Space, in Dundee, I was running the region’s most popular Latin dance school a few minutes drive away. We shared several students, though there was noticeably less interest in my teaching topless.
However, that’s enough of me, back to Winter Words, where a variety of performance events will also be featured, including a rehearsed reading of The Race to 1984, a play about George Orwell’s time in a Scottish hospital, as well as A Room of One’s Own, an adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s famous work presented by Firebrand Theatre Company.
Tickets and Information
Tickets for Winter Words Festival 2025 are now available for members, with general sales opening soon. For full details on the programme and to purchase tickets, visit the Pitlochry Festival Theatre website.
Featured Image: provided by Pitlochry Festival Theatre
Winter Words 2025 – At A Glance
A Room of One’s Own (23 February, 2:00 PM) – Firebrand Theatre Company’s adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s classic.:
Festival Dates: 21-23 February 2025
Artistic Director: Alan Cumming (debut)
Featured Authors:
Douglas Stuart (21 February, 7:30 PM) – Discussing Shuggie Bain and his latest work.
Val McDermid (22 February, 2:00 PM) – In conversation about her crime fiction legacy and new projects.
Andrew O’Hagan (22 February, 4:00 PM) – Discussing his essay collection The Illuminations.
Liz Lochhead (21 February, 2:00 PM) – Celebrating her career as a poet and former Scots Makar.
Michael Pedersen (21 February, 4:00 PM) – Edinburgh’s Makar on his poetic journey.
Arun Sood (23 February, 11:00 AM) – Exploring the intersection of poetry and identity.
Kirsty Wark (23 February, 1:00 PM) – In conversation about her new book The House by the Loch.
Special Guests & Events:
Ghillie Bașan (21 February, 7:30 PM) – Whisky tasting and discussion on Scotland’s whisky culture.
Carina Contini, Sarah Rankin, Gareth Cole (22 February, 12:00 PM) – Literary lunches with Scotland’s celebrated chefs.
Finlay Wilson (22 February, 9:00 AM) – Morning yoga session inspired by Kilted Yoga.
Chris Carse Wilson (23 February, 9:00 AM) – 5km run followed by a chat about his book Fray.
Performances:
The Race to 1984 (22 February, 7:30 PM) – A rehearsed reading of this play about George Orwell’s time in a Scottish hospital.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible Venue
- Wheelchair Accessible Toilet
- Audio Enhancement System
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