Out in the Hills ’26: Mhairi Black & Gemma Cairney

This event at Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s inaugural ‘Out In The Hills’ festival, celebrating ‘all things LGBTQIA+’, brought together two absolute powerhouses to discuss politics, comedy, queerness, resilience, and so much more. So writes Sass MacDonald for theQR.co.uk…

A Living Room in the Main Auditorium

Cairney was the consummate professional, but her style was charming, confidential, and chummy: it was like watching a couple of mates chatting together in their sitting room. To some extent, this was exactly what it was, but their sitting room was the main auditorium of this glorious theatre, rather than the scheduled, much smaller studio, so great was the demand for tickets. But they kept it cool and close. I wanted to join in the conversation.

Cairney was ‘unscripted’ from the point of view that she had no clipboard or visible notes—my only concern was that she was so engaged that she might overlook the time slipping by. I needn’t have worried—her timing was immaculate and left time for the obligatory audience Q&A session at the end. Conversation flowed seamlessly from one topic to the next, and Cairney is a genius at returning to ‘unfinished business’ when the subject drifts. She could teach some Chairmen a thing or two.

From Westminster to Stand-Up

The conversation started, unsurprisingly, with Black’s trajectory at 20 into politics in Westminster. She’ll have told the story hundreds of times, I’m sure, but her recollections and anecdotes felt fresh and considered. This is a woman with a formidable intellect; thinking on her feet—and giving a thoughtful and thought-provoking answer to boot—is her stock in trade. She learnt in the hardest forum: not the working men’s clubs so oft quoted by stand-up comedians, but in the halls of Westminster. However, you can see why the transition could have been made easily in her case. Her own self-deprecating reason for turning to comedy after politics is more along the lines of having found the perfect place to do what she says she does best—making jokes and drinking beer. Though her fuller explanation is more serendipitous and funny than that.

This is a woman with a formidable intellect; thinking on her feet—and giving a thoughtful and thought-provoking answer to boot—is her stock in trade.

She made light, to some extent, of the toll that politics took on her, but also revelled in her newfound success on the stage. I’m not going to steal or give away her stories—you really need to go and see her for yourself—but I’ve seen her a couple of times now and haven’t heard the same story twice. Whitehall has given her plenty of material.

“People are needing a voice”

She was generous, kind, and thoughtful, and an audience member suggested that her Maiden Speech (‘Maiden’? I ask you!) in Parliament should be mandatory reading in all secondary schools. It finishes with these words: ‘Ultimately, people are needing a voice, people are needing help, let’s give them it.’ Hear, Hear!

She made light, to some extent, of the toll that politics took on her, but also revelled in her newfound success on the stage.

She continues to be straight-talking and, even when in humorous mode, makes salient, serious points. She is sensitive and speaks of her own experiences to illustrate the points she is making—never appropriating what she thinks others might feel. She pokes fun at the ridiculous, but often then makes a serious point on the back of that. And her stories were cracking.

Making Change Starts at Home

My biggest takeaway from the event was Black’s message that making change starts at home. Talk to your family and friends, your own community, and call them out when they say things which are offensive or wrong. Explain why you think so and tell them why you are hurt by them. Her experience tells her that most people will be appalled that they’ve been so unthinking or unkind and will apologise and at least consider how they might change their ways. We do have the power to change things for the better.

Cairney expressed a concern that so many women have, of feeling they will be judged as being too angry/shouty/strident if they make such challenges. Black suggested that the challenge can be made by taking the person aside, not having a showdown within earshot of others. And she asks how many men would have that same fear. Fair point, Mhairi.

Featured Image: Mhairi Black – supplied by Pitlochry Festival Theatre