Scottish actor Alan Cumming on the Highland town that changed his life

FROM Hollywood sets to a Highland theatre, Alan Cumming’s career continues to move between global stages and Scotland.

Now artistic director at Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Perthshire, he takes us on a Gallivant through this picturesque town, from favourite cafés and restaurants to riverside walks and life around the theatre.

Framed by spectacular woodland and the River Tummel, Pitlochry has long been one of Scotland’s best-loved towns, known for its Victorian charm, dramatic scenery and an arts scene that draws visitors from around the world.

Join us as he moves between international spotlight, Scottish stage, and the everyday rhythms of Highland life.

How does Pitlochry make you feel?

To be honest, I feel a bit giddy.

Pitlochry has everything I love: Scottish Highland beauty and the warmth and welcome of a small town, the friendliness and inclusion of a place where so many people from around the world visit and many have decided to make their home, and, of course, the theatre.

This amazing facility in the most beautiful of settings where I get to make my most magical dreams come true!

Most memorable night out there?

I think it would have to be the times I have DJed parties in the theatre foyer.

The first one was at our Winter Words festival in February 2025 – which celebrates literary life in Scotland with workshops and performances – not long after I started as artistic director.

I think everyone thought I was nuts wanting to have a dance party at a literary festival, but I wanted to show everyone that no matter what changes I was going to make I wanted the community to feel a part of the building again and I wanted it to be joyful and fun.

So flyers went up in the Co-op and the chip shop and the whole town turned out and it was a magical night!

I did it again this past Winter Words and it was even bigger, and looking out and seeing people of all ages letting rip and letting go made me really happy.

There’s nothing better than a good dance!

Favourite restaurant and coffee stop in Pitlochry?

Gosh, this is a difficult one.

I really like going to Jessie’s for breakfast because they have great vegan options and also they allow dogs.

I love dropping in for a coffee at Cafe Calluna on Atholl Road with my dog, Lala.

It is delicious and has vegan options. And if it’s not open, let’s not forget Greggs next door, always good for an Americano and a vegan sausage roll!

Cidsin the Indian restaurant up the hill is totally delicious and so is Wee Choo Choo, the Thai place in a train carriage down by the actual train station.

Oh, and Mackay’s is great and I love the Chinese Village takeaway on Atholl Road because they have vegan chicken. I could go on!

Best place in Pitlochry for inspiration?

My walk to work! Sometimes, when I arrive on the train (at 6.16am!) I walk through the woods and cross the bouncy footbridge over the Tummel river and look up at the dam. I see the theatre standing next to it and I can’t quite believe my luck.

This magical place is now my theatrical home.

How is 2026 going for you?

It’s been a roller coaster.

I have had some amazing moments that remind me what an incredible journey I’ve had in life, like getting a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

And I have moved back into my house here after a long time of renovations and am beginning to feel complete again in that way a home can make you feel.

What are you up to with work ?

Well, I’ve been preparing the Pitlochry Festival Theatre season which begins in May with the musical Once.

And I have also been touring with the National Theatre of Scotland in The High Life Musical, which I wrote with Forbes Masson and Johnny McKnight. It has been such a trip to go back to the characters we created more than 30 years ago for the BBC sitcom.

To feel the affection audiences have for the show and us has been really moving.

Next up, I do another series of The Traitors US before going to Pitlochry to begin rehearsals for A History of Paper, the musical I am doing with Shirley Henderson.

And I am about to be seen in Tip Toe, the new series for Channel 4 by the great Russell T Davies.

Life update: Beano cameo and a career that keeps looping back

For all his international visibility, Alan Cumming is still surprised by the places his career continues to resurface.