Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin to return with exciting series of fascinating lunchtime outdoor talks presented in collaboration with The Royal Society of Edinburgh.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre, in partnership with the Royal Society of Edinburgh, is set to stage A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin, their popular series of fascinating talks featuring leading Scottish experts from science and the arts.
This year’s talks will open on Tuesday 21 July, in Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s picturesque outdoor Amphitheatre, with Prof Penny Fielding FRSE who makes a welcome return to Pitlochry to host a talk about the history of the spy novel in Scotland. From Scottish literary greats like Walter Scott and John Buchan to contemporary authors, hear how writers have woven surveillance, secret intelligence and carefully crafted misdirection into their stories.
Later that week on Friday 24 July, Prof Jennifer Smith FBA FRSE will be exploring the history and diversity of the Scots language. Hear how this living, evolving language is being used in everyday speech, in the creative industries, in writing, and what it might look like in the future as we move further into an increasingly AI-dependent world.
In August there will be two further talks in the amphitheatre. On Friday 21 August theastrophysicist Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans, a member of the Young Academy of Scotland, will take her audience on a journey through the Universe and the remarkable space objects within it.
Together, they will explore questions like: Was there ever life on Mars? Why is Pluto no longer a planet? And what are the oldest objects in the Universe?
The following week on Friday 28 Augustthe author Kenneth Steven will be presenting a talk on his book Atoms of Delight which comprises ten essays inspired by the natural world.
Kenneth’s book describes pilgrimages in Scottish nature: climbing to high lochs to encounter black and red throated divers; discovering hidden river pools in summer for swimming; walking to St Columba’s Bay at the south end of Iona to find serpentine pebbles.
The idea of A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin came from Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s Artistic Director Alan Cumming HonFRSE, Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and was inspired by the widely celebrated A Play, A Pie and A Pint.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh recognises, supports, and mobilises expertise from across academia, business, and public service for the benefit of Scotland and the wider world.
All tickets for A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin will include a beer and a bap (vegetarian / vegan options and non-alcoholic options available).
A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin is part of Alan Cumming’s inaugural season as Artistic Director in this the Theatre’s 75th anniversary year.
Pitlochry Festival Theatre Artistic Director Alan Cumming HonFRSE said: “I’m so excited for the return of A Beer, Bap and a Boffin, our open-air lunch time lecture series. And what a line-up we have!
“To paraphrase Buzz Lightyear, we go to Scotland and beyond! We explore our language, the subterfuge in our literary heritage, the hidden wonders of our beautiful landscape, before blasting off into space – and all done from the safety of our garden’s amphitheatre!
“What better way to spend an hour this summer?”
RSE’s Vice-President, Public Engagement, Professor Martin Hendry FRSE, said: “It’s brilliant to see A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin return for a second year.
“It’s a testament to the success of its first year in 2025 and we’re delighted to be able to work with Pitlochry Festival Theatre, through our Honorary Fellow Alan Cumming, making the Royal Society of Edinburgh’s knowledge useful for public good.
“A refreshing drink, a bite to eat and a blether with an expert in their field in a superb setting, what more could you ask for this summer?”
For tickets and further information visit online at pitlochryfestivaltheatre.com or call the Box Office on 01796 484626.
