Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin to return with an exciting series of fascinating lunchtime outdoor talks
Pitlochry Festival Theatre’s A Beer, A Bap and A Boffin to return with an 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 the astrophysicist 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 August the 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.
Listings
Tuesday 21 July at 1pm (1hr) – Amphitheatre, Pitlochry Festival Theatre
A Beer, A Bap and a Boffin Secrets and spies in Scottish literature
An exploration of Scotland’s unique place in the spy novel
A talk by Prof. Penny Fielding FRSE
Scotland’s hidden histories and mysterious landscapes make it a prime site for clandestine activities.
Join Professor Penny Fielding FRSE as she talks about the history of the spy novel in Scotland, and what sets spy fiction apart from detective fiction. Why do fictional spies so often find their way to Scotland? And why are Scottish authors drawn to its landscapes, borderlands and history of espionage?
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.
Running time: 1hr
Friday 24 July at 1pm – Amphitheatre, Pitlochry Festival Theatre (1hr)
A Beer, A Bap and a Boffin: Scots Language and Identity
A talk by Prof. Jennifer Smith FBA FRSE
What do we know about Scots?
Exploring the history and diversity of the Scots language
Join for an exploration of one of Scotland’s official languages, as Professor Jennifer Smith FBA FRSE takes us through the past, present and future of Scots. Where did it come from? How was it used in the past? How is it being spoken today, and by who?
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.
Running time: 1hr
Friday 21 August at 1pm – Amphitheatre, Pitlochry Festival Theatre
A Beer, A Bap and a Boffin: Space, What is out there?
A talk by Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans
An astrophysicist’s guide to the Universe
What we know (and don’t know) about space
Space is a vast realm filled with celestial wonders. From the Moon, the planets of our Solar System, to billions of stars, galaxies and mysterious black holes, the Universe is home to phenomena that continue to surprise scientists with every new discovery.
Although we’ve learned an extraordinary amount about the cosmos, we’ve only explored a tiny fraction of what’s out there.
Join astrophysicist Dr Anne-Marie Weijmans as she takes us on a journey through the Universe and the remarkable space objects within it. Together, we’ll 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?
Running time: 1hr
Friday 28 August at 1pm – Amphitheatre, Pitlochry Festival Theatre
A Beer, A Bap and a Boffin: Atoms of Delight
Essays presented by Highland Perthshire Author, Kenneth Steven
Atoms of Delight comprises ten essays inspired by the natural world. It takes its title from the great author Neil Gunn, who believed that all of us are given a handful of ‘atoms of delight’ in our lives: great moments of experience that stay with us forever. Kenneth’s book describes ten pilgrimages in nature, several from Highland Perthshire: climbing to high lochs in quiet 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. When presenting the book Kenneth offers the greater story of the experience surrounding each essay. He values engaging with audiences and seeks always to answer the questions he’s asked with sincerity and with humour too.
Running time: 1hr
