Home > Uniquely Unspoilt Magazine > Issue 14 > Rural theatres

~~ Rural theatres ~~

Despite Edinburgh being the hub of most things theatrical this month, there are many theatres in more remote areas of Scotland that are just as interesting.  Many have an important role in the local community, and often have excellent restaurants, bars and other events to justify a visit even if you?re not going to see a production.

The furthest flung of them all is the Mull Little Theatre in Dervaig on the western tip of Mull, which was founded in 1966 by two actors who had settled on the island to bring up a family.  A converted coach house with only 43 seats, it?s found its way into the Guinness Book of Records as the smallest working theatre in the world.

It?s open throughout the summer till September and includes repertory, touring, children's theatre, new writing and commissions ? a new production of Jekyll & Hyde will be on tour in September.

One of the theatres performing this production is the Byre Theatre in St Andrews, Fife, which has an equally interesting history.  Founded in 1933 by Alexander B Paterson, a local freelance journalist and prolific playwright, performances originally took place in a semi-derelict cow byre to invited audiences who sat on cushions on the floor.  Its reputation grew over the next few years, and a new theatre was opened in 1970, and is now community-oriented, offering two bars, a restaurant, an exhibition space and much more ? a far cry from its humble beginnings!

Cumbernauld Theatre in Lanarkshire will also be receiving a visit from Jekyll & Hyde next month, when this theatre?s programme resumes after the summer break.  The community-based theatre also operates educational workshops for children and adults including some special needs groups.  It also has two bars ? the Theatre and Cottage bars often host themed night and live music performances to really make an evening of it.

Situated on the banks of the Tummel River, Pitlochry Festival Theatre in Pitlochry, Perthshire shows a wide range of productions in its 500 capacity theatre, as well hosting music performances, exhibiting art and there?s also a restaurant.  You can take a backstage tour, go to an arts and crafts workshop, and even relive the expeditions of the Scottish Plant Hunters on the Wild Specimens tour.  A cross between a performance and an animated tour, you?ll be taken through the 6 acre Explorers Garden and there are areas representing the places they visited, including the Americas, South Africa, Nepal, China and Japan.

Another riverside theatre is the Eden Court Theatre in Inverness on the banks of the River Ness.  The only large scale theatre in the Highlands, it shows films as well as theatre, dance and music productions, and also showcases art, with exhibitions of contemporary mixed media and sculpture from local and other Scottish artists, and has a restaurant overlooking the river.

If you fancy a candlelit home cooked meal along with a play, head to Bowhill Little Theatre near Selkirk in the Borders in the heart of Ettrick Forest.  The intimate 72 seater theatre was created from the old Victorian Game Larder at Bowhill and shows music and drama throughout the year.  Dinner is available after most shows in its Courtyard Restaurant and fresh, locally grown ingredients are used as much as possible.

The following holiday cottages are situated within easy reach of the locations mentioned above: