Winter Words 2022

Pitlochry Festival Theatre - 14-20/02/22

I was fortunate to access four of these brilliant speakers as the ever-inventive PFT presented their programme online this year. This is the 18th year of the event where they invite writers, poets, film makers and artists from a wide spectrum to talk about their work. Each contributor was Introduced by Elizabeth Newman, Artistic Director, and spanned a wide variety of subjects.  

The beauty of online is the option to view on your phone, computer, tablet providing you have purchased a ticket for the link. So, an enjoyable weekend was planned. 

First up Arifa Akbar, currently chief arts critic for The Guardian. She gave an insight into her Costa nominated memoir ‘Consumed: A Sisters Story’. An erudite speaker there was so much to digest within the hour allocated. A fascinating insight into her complicated family and her relationship with her sister. This proved to be the outstanding of the four. All I can say is I shall rush out and read for my book club. 

Later that day it was the turn of the current Makar, Kathleen Jamie, 2012 Costa Poetry Award winner in conversation with David Grieg. Her work is rooted in Scottish landscape and thus informed the insightful conversation with David. 

The next day viewers were taken through a presentation by Collin Liddle who explained the history of the festival theatre, explaining how through one man’s determination and vision, John Stewart opened the first tented theatre in 1951. Today it is the jewel of the Highlands with a repertoire and company admired internationally. 

The final session was a conversation between Andrew Painting and Merryn Glover about how the landscape, particularly the Cairngorms, informed their writing. Both feature in the highland Book Prize long list. Having read and enjoyed Merryn’s ‘Of Stone and Sky’ recently, this was an insight into how she brought the characters so brilliantly and recognisably to life. 

Let’s hope that next year the festival will be live, but the opportunity to watch virtually has proved a winner.