Situated on the banks of the Tummel, and Scotland’s largest of its kind, the cultural gem is renowned for its captivating and accessible dramatic arts experiences.

Backed by a substantial £10 million investment from the Tay Cities Regional Deal, Pitlochry Festival Theatre has chosen Hydrock through a rigorous selection process. With a multidisciplinary range of expertise, Hydrock will provide integrated design support, encompassing fire engineering, structural and civil engineering, mechanical and electrical engineering design, as well as smart energy and sustainability consultancy throughout RIBA stages 1-3.

Emma Stewart, head of project development at Pitlochry Festival Theatre, said they were delighted to confirm its partnership with Hydrock.

She added: “Pitlochry Festival Theatre wholeheartedly welcomes this collaboration, as it brings together our shared commitment to excellence and innovation in the performing arts industry. With Hydrock’s expertise and unwavering dedication to delivering exceptional engineering solutions, we are confident that this partnership will enhance our capabilities and ensure the continued success of our productions, bringing Pitlochry to the world and the world to Pitlochry.

“Together, we embark on an exciting journey, uniting creativity and engineering expertise to create extraordinary experiences for our audiences. Pitlochry Festival Theatre is excited to have Hydrock on the Design Team for the next phase of the capital project, VISION 21, and we eagerly anticipate the remarkable possibilities that lie ahead.”

As part of a transformative programme of building upgrades known as Vision 21, Pitlochry Festival Theatre is ready to forge forward with an exciting new chapter in its illustrious 70-year history. The ambitious goal is to create a world-class centre of excellence, perfectly tailored for the twenty-first century. This includes elevating the calibre of theatre performances, introducing innovative vocational training and skills development programs, bridging gaps in the creative sector talent pipeline, and delivering an unparalleled visitor experience. All of this will be situated in an extraordinary location that promises to inspire hearts and minds for generations to come.

Marc Pawson, regional director — Scotland at Hydrock, added: “I’m immensely proud of this appointment on a project that’s going to help build resilience and broaden the theatre’s artistic programme for the local community and audiences at large. Our team at Hydrock has a track record of bringing symbolic cultural projects like this to life, notably the restoration of Bristol Old Vic, and we look forward to working closely with the other project partners.”