Our Theatre Campus

It’s not just our performances that inspire the senses.

Our Theatre and outdoor venues are set in a stunning 11 acre site, bounded by inspirational mountain views and the tranquillity of the river that flows at its foot.

*** Please Note: Unfortunately, the Explorer’s Garden is now closed for the season. After a recent inspection, it has been established that restoration work is required on our paths to keep our visitors safe. We will also be working to regenerate the gardens throughout winter but we hope to reopen them in the spring. We look forward to welcoming you back.

A view of the seating banks from centre stage, many rows of red seats lit up by ceiling lights and in the upper centre a box for lighting and sound technicians to control

Auditorium

Our main Auditorium opened in 1981, its design based on the original Theatre in a Tent at Knockendarroch. Over the years, we’ve seen Sir Ian McKellen, Honor Blackman, Sir Billy Connolly, Ronnie Corbett and Sir Michael Palin tread its boards, amongst over 500 other artists – some making their debut performance.

You’ll enjoy excellent views from every part of the space, with no pillars to obstruct your view! The acoustics are excellent throughout, so be prepared for a thrilling performance you can immerse yourself in, wherever you’re sitting.

Comfortably seating 544, the Auditorium is split into two main sections, with more generous leg room available in the front half – perfect if you’re one of our taller guests!

As a Theatre for All, we’ve prioritised accessibility in all our spaces. You’ll find level access in the middle of the Auditorium, along with four accessible spaces for wheelchairs.

A large room on multiple levels with seating on both upper and lower levels in a yellow colour with people sat in various areas in the room. A blue stage sits in the centre of the room with a table and 2 chairs as well as a desk and lamp.

Studio

Over forty years after it was originally planned, we’re delighted to announce that our new Studio space has opened.

Although a smaller performance place was part of the original 1970’s design of the new site at Port-Na-Craig, financial restrictions meant this particular ambition couldn’t be realised at the time. But the dream remained, and the designated space was held (and used as a set store) until it became a reality.

The Studio is a home for new expressive art. The space is atmosphere and intimate – so immersive, in fact, that those sitting in the front row will have their feet on the stage itself! At full capacity, the Studio can seat 172 over 2 levels. And with removable seats, it can be reconfigured too, making it an ideal space for private events.

Amphitheatre

An outdoor space that makes the most of our spectacular setting, our Amphitheatre is nestled in the Explorers Garden. It has been designed to mimic both the shape and the dimensions of the Auditorium, and was conceived and built as part of the original design at the start of the 2000s.

Our artistic ambition can be summed up in three words: Inside, Outside, Online. In summer 2021 we reintroduced the Amphitheatre to our programme, giving us a space to mount much needed outdoor events. It has been hugely popular – here we’ve shared opera and musicals, drama, comedy and some truly magical experiences under the sun and the stars, surrounded by stunning views of Ben-Y-Vrackie.

With a maximum audience of 120, including wheelchair spaces, the space is fully accessible.

The front side of the main Pitlochry Festival Theatre building with its full glass front, on the garden area in front of the building sits the bandstand that is used during the Summer for concerts and also the custom made ship used in the 2021 Summer production of 'The Wind in the Willows' under a bright blue sky

Bandstand

Set on the site of the original yurt gifted to the Theatre during its expansion in the early 2000’s, our Bandstand was built in 2021 in response to our ambition to welcome more people and bring every corner of the campus to life.

We love this relaxed lawn space. It was inspired by the popularity of outdoor performances in the UK and is a bring-your-own picnic, chair, blanket (and sometimes umbrella) area.

With views over the River Tummel and the picturesque hamlet of Port-Na-Craig, our Bandstand is a fantastic, accessible space for families to enjoy. 2021 saw it hosting a much-loved production of The Wind in the Willows, while families will be invited to travel Around the World in 80 Days in 2022.

An image of a wooded area with purple flowers in the foreground stretching to a lot of greenery, as the hill rises at the top is a hut with a pointed roof and a large glass window facing towards the hill. Behind the building are blue skies and trees surrounding.

Explorers Garden

Scotland has produced some of the world’s most successful plant hunters and this truly unique garden, celebrates their contribution to the way our gardens look today.

Conceived as a Theatricum Botanicum, and built in conjunction with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in the late 1990s, the Garden offers stunning spaces for art performance including the Pagoda, the Pavilion and the Amphitheatre.

The opportunity to experience art in nature, in a stunning Highland location is a rare opportunity and one for your theatre to-do list. The Garden is also available for private events and makes a breathtaking wedding venue.

An old school red and white radio with white and metal silver knobs to go between channel frequencies and volume

Sound Stage

Our new digital audio theatre brings you high quality new drama in whatever space you choose. It brings the experience of attending a theatre online, using audio streaming and Zoom conferencing software, allowing you to listen to a play, meet friends in the interval and join us to hear more from the writers, directors, cast and guests after each show.

Created in response to not being able to share theatre in person, Sound Stage has allowed us to keep in touch with our audiences and has brought new audiences to us too, from around the globe. As we follow our ambition to be Inside, Outside, Online, Sound Stage will continue to offer innovative ways in which to share inspirational new art.