Follow Our Progress
A story of continuous evolution
The journey to a sustainable and rewarding future
Our ‘Theatre in the Hills’ opened on 19 May 1951 and today, over seven decades later, Pitlochry Festival Theatre continues to occupy a special place in the hills of Perthshire and in the hearts of theatre goers and artists, from near and far. From Port-na-Craig, our breath-taking surroundings and exceptional work continue to set us apart from any other theatre in Scotland.
Our transformative VISION Capital Project is part of our story of continuous evolution and will allow us to develop our indoor and outdoor spaces, underpinning our commitment to our audiences and wider communities. At the start of the pandemic when, for reasons of public safety we had an empty building, we made the decision to break up this complex capital project into one we could deliver in phases. Financial commitment from Dunard Fund and the The Gannochy Trust allowed us to fast-track Phase 1 and significantly alter the footprint of our buildings. This is our journey so far…
2020-2022 | Phase 1a | Accessibility
In August 2022, we welcomed audiences back to Pitlochry Festival Theatre, to a transformed Foyer – bright, open and accessible – and to our brand new 172-seat Studio theatre – a flexible space in which to showcase new writing and touring productions, that fully supports our vision to bring Pitlochry to the world, and the world to Pitlochry. This first phase of work was designed by Suzie Bridges Architects.
2024 | Phase 1b | Sustainability
In January 2024, we will embark on two major upgrades that reflect our commitment to environmental sustainability. The first will be the replacement of the glass curtain walls which look over the River Tummel to Ben-Y-Vrackie and the second will be the refurbishment of the Theatre roof and air systems. Both interventions will improve our energy efficiency and move us closer to our ambition of being Scotland’s first net-zero theatre by 2035.
This second phase of work is being designed by Suzie Bridges Architects in partnership with James F Stephen Architects.
2025 | Phase 2 | Experience
In January 2025, the final phase of our VISION Capital Project will commence, with the full restoration of our main Auditorium and stage infrastructure. During Phase 2, we will streamline our pre-production facilities, bringing theatre-making, rehearsing and performing together in one united environment, enabling Pitlochry Festival Theatre to be the largest powerhouse for theatre in Scotland, for generations to come.
We will also upgrade our visitor facilities and radically re-imagine our hospitality and retail spaces, supporting our ambition to deliver the highest quality visitor experience and be a destination of choice for cultural experiences.
Be part of our journey!
The total cost of delivering our VISION Capital Project is £21.3 million, of which 90% has already been secured through the Scottish Government’s Tay Cities Regional Deal and generous support from individuals, trusts and foundations. We aim to raise the remaining £2.1 million by the end of 2025.
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to makes a real difference to the cultural heart of Perthshire and we warmly invite your support.
If you would like to be part of our transformative VISION journey, please contact Peter.Thierfeldt@pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com and if you’d like to find out about other ways to support Pitlochry Festival Theatre, please pop over to our Support Us page.
Thank you.
