Pitlochry Festival Theatre is set to host an extraordinary four-day programme of events next year for the 2027 Winter Words Festival.
An enthralling line-up of leading authors, poets, actors, broadcasters, comedians, chefs and politicians has been announced, including Alison Steadman, David Nicholls, Val McDermid, Matt Haig, Kae Tempest, Joanne Harris, Sara Pascoe, Humza Yousaf, Fern Brady, David Shrigley and Frankie Boyle.
Running from 18-21st February, this will be award-winning poet, novelist, and current Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen’s first year as programmer of the festival.
Audiences can expect stimulating conversations, exciting events, entertaining performances and delicious literary lunches with award-winning chefs.
Authors
Winter Words Festival 2027 impressive programme of authors will include Joanne Harris (Chocolat) in conversation with Scotland’s former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon; International best-selling author Matt Haig will be in conversation with the poet Donna Ashworth about his latest novel The Midnight Train and his career; Val McDermid and Professor Jo Sharp in conversation with broadcaster Nicola Meighan, who will also be in conversation with crime writer Denise Mina about her latest book The Good Liar.
Novelist and screenwriter David Nicholls (One Day) will be talking about fiction and adaptation with Nicola Sturgeon; Amy Liptrot (The Outrun) and Cal Flyn will discuss the natural world in their new books: The Tangles and The Savage Landscape, chaired by Jenny Niven (Edinburgh International Book Festival); and Edinburgh novelist and poet Jenni Fagan will be talking about her new book The Fall of Frankenstein with renowned horror actress Shauna MacDonald (The Descent).
Broadcasters and the Arts
The festival will also feature an exciting line up of broadcasters, actors, podcasters, and comedians over the duration of the four days. Kicking off the Winter Words Festival 2027 will be a live broadcast of the hit podcast The Weirdos Book Club with comedians Sara Pascoe, Cariad Lloyd and Scottish actor and writer Greg McHugh. Sara Pascoe will also be in conversation with the festival’s curator Michael Pedersen about the art of weirdness and Cariad Lloyd will be in conversation with the poet Hollie McNish about her second book You Are Not Alone.
Best known for playing some of Britain’s most unforgettable characters from Beverly in Abigail’s Party to Pamela in Gavin & Stacey, the iconic star of screen and stage, Alison Steadman will be in conversation with Fiona Lindsay as she shares stories, laughter, and the moments behind the moments from her illustrious career.
This year’s festival will also include comedians Frankie Boyle in conversation with Christopher McArthur Boyd about the role of the novel in an insane world; Fern Brady who will be previewing her debut novel High Energy Unpleasant which will come out in March 2027; recording artist, lyricist, performer, author, playwright, and poet Kae Tempest who will be in conversation with the actress Grace Quigley about his second novel Having Spent Life Seeking; a play reading of When Billy met Alasdair, novelist and playwright Alan Bissett’s new play charting the meeting of two Scottish icons: Billy Connolly and Alasdair Gray and British visual artist David Shrigley will be in conversation with the actor Gavin Mitchell (Still Game) about creative writing.
Poetry
For Poetry fans there is an exciting line up of events over the weekend featuring in conversation and performances by Jackie Kay, Hollie McNish, Len Pennie, Donna Ashworth, James Robertson, Gerda Stevenson Professor Alan Riach, Jim Mackintosh, Taylor Strickland, Marjorie Lotfi, and Peter Mackay.
Other events
Alongside its impressive programme of writers, the 2027 Winter Words Festival will offer literary lunches with the Hebridean Baker and award-winning chef, author, influencer and TV broadcaster Julie Lin; former MP and now comedian and actor Mhairi Black will be in conversation with Scotland’s former First Minister Humza Yousaf about his memoir, Under Fire: My family’s escape from Gaza and the cost of leadership; and finally television presenter, author and baker Coinneach MacLeod will be talking to fellow broadcaster and author Peter MacQueen.
Winter Words Festival programmer Michael Pedersen said: “Being asked by Alan [Cumming] to take the reins of programming Winter Words Festival set a bonfire in my belly – as the dust settled, it only burned brighter. These past couple of years, I’ve cherished reading at and chairing events at the gorgeous Pitlochry Festival Theatre, to now step beyond the stage and conjure a full programme has been the most supreme of thrills.
“I lit the fuses and the fireworks hath come. The 2027 edition of Winter Words is glisteringly unique. Some of the most gifted storytellers and courageous literary thinkers that walk amongst us are coming questing to Pitlochry – crooning, rallying, roostering, lullabying, coruscating, and romping to stage.
“This punchy weekend programme is enthralling enough to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with any book festival in the UK. Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, music, politics, and beyond; international best sellers to screen stars; veteran prize-winners to the leading new voices: it’s end-to-end bookish splendour.”
The festival runs from 18-21st February 2027. Tickets are on sale to patrons and Festival Circle members from Thursday 29th October, Festival Friends from 5th November and on general sale from Thursday 12th November. Click here to book.