Billy Kay

Delighted to be part of this amazing line up to support the excellent Jenny Gilruth in the forthcoming election. A few tickets left…but tak tent or they’re tint.

Some of us don't like to be reminded how sycophantic certain Scots can be. This is the delightful Dr Johnson to Bozzy on Anglo-Scottish relations on his visit to Skye,
"We have taught you...and we'll do the same to all barbarous nations, - to the Cherokees, - and at last to the Orang-Outangs."

This is Annie with her brother John, who was Provost of Galston when I was wee. Annie’s mum died, so Annie kept house for John and James who worked at the pit. If Annie looked after me in the evening she’d take me to Mass at St Sophias. The kneeling apart, I fair enjoyed it!

Some of us don't like to be reminded how sycophantic certain Scots can be. This is the delightful Dr Johnson to Bozzy on Anglo-Scottish relations on his visit to Skye,
"We have taught you...and we'll do the same to all barbarous nations, - to the Cherokees, - and at last to the Orang-Outangs."

#InternationalWomensDay homage to my neighbour in Galston, Annie Murray. Like many working class women she gave up on her dream of teaching to look after her family. She taught me to read, introduced me to French and gave me an appreciation of the great Irish catholic tradition in Scotland.

#InternationalWomensDay homage to my neighbour in Galston, Annie Murray. Like many working class women she gave up on her dream of teaching to look after her family. She taught me to read, introduced me to French and gave me an appreciation of the great Irish catholic tradition in Scotland.

April 24th at hame in the Irvine Valley. Cannae wait tae hear Robyn singin Scots sangs like O Aw the Airts, the Lass o Patie’s Mill and Auld Lang Syne as I celebrate ma Ayrshire childhood in Gawston. Gin ye hae a guid Scots tongue in yer heid, jyne us in Derval. Braw!

Years later, I made friends with the man who diffused the tension by confirming for the Americans that the missiles had been moved. Paul Henderson Scott was a British Diplomat then, becoming a leading Scottish intellectual, independentista, & member of the CPG on Scots in the parliament.

Defused not diffused!

April 24th at hame in the Irvine Valley. Cannae wait tae hear Robyn singin Scots sangs like O Aw the Airts, the Lass o Patie’s Mill and Auld Lang Syne as I celebrate ma Ayrshire childhood in Gawston. Gin ye hae a guid Scots tongue in yer heid, jyne us in Derval. Braw!

Years later, I made friends with the man who diffused the tension by confirming for the Americans that the missiles had been moved. Paul Henderson Scott was a British Diplomat then, becoming a leading Scottish intellectual, independentista, & member of the CPG on Scots in the parliament.

As a wee boay, me an ma pals organised the last gemme o fitba tae be played on planet earth, durin the Cuban Missile Crisis. Ye can lug in tae the rest o ma book Born in Kyle - a love letter tae an Ayrshire childhood on Audible, or get it fae Amazon or Kindle. ‘Mon then.

As a wee boay, me an ma pals organised the last gemme o fitba tae be played on planet earth, durin the Cuban Missile Crisis. Ye can lug in tae the rest o ma book Born in Kyle - a love letter tae an Ayrshire childhood on Audible, or get it fae Amazon or Kindle. ‘Mon then.

A favourite cringe story came when an SNP councillor suggested to a Labour education Convener in Tayside Region that Scottish studies should be an integral part of the schools curriculum. He replied, “No, we live in a multicultural society!” Every culture was to be taught there except our own.

A favourite cringe story came when an SNP councillor suggested to a Labour education Convener in Tayside Region that Scottish studies should be an integral part of the schools curriculum. He replied, “No, we live in a multicultural society!” Every culture was to be taught there except our own.

A classic story of the Scottish cringe from Scots The Mither Tongue - the moment when James Boswell met the Scotophobe Englishman, Dr Samuel Johnson in London. You can listen to me narrating the whole book on Audible. It’s a totally cringe free zone!

💙🤍Love it!💙🤍

A classic story of the Scottish cringe from Scots The Mither Tongue - the moment when James Boswell met the Scotophobe Englishman, Dr Samuel Johnson in London. You can listen to me narrating the whole book on Audible. It’s a totally cringe free zone!

St Andrews is a beautiful place steeped in Scottish history. All my children went to Madras College there too so I greatly value it and want it to thrive. This was an aberration though which reeks of cultural colonisation.

The other trip home to Ayrshire that I’m looking forward to is to the Girvan Folk Festival on the 1st weekend in May. Time to be confirmed, but Robyn Stapleton and I are likely to be there on the Sunday afternoon. Born in Kyle in the heart of Carrick wi a Gallowa legend! Cannae wait! t.co/ECBLMiBsa5

Yet she was quite happy to use scaremongering on Putin to attempt to counter support for #ScottishIndependence. Wonder if she talked to her husband about it?

Waiting for Sarwar!

To everyone who abhors this ludicrous cultural assimilation here’s another sign from a close in Cupar that has relevance to Scots and reminds me of the Scots phrase, “Tak tent or it’s tint.” - take care or it’s gone - use it or lose it. Yaise yer leid ilka day o yer life, friens.

Whatever possessed St Andrews to rename the iconic Baxter Wynd. Did they also have North Britain - formerly known as Scotland in the address?

To everyone who abhors this ludicrous cultural assimilation here’s another sign from a close in Cupar that has relevance to Scots and reminds me of the Scots phrase, “Tak tent or it’s tint.” - take care or it’s gone - use it or lose it. Yaise yer leid ilka day o yer life, friens.

Whatever possessed St Andrews to rename the iconic Baxter Wynd. Did they also have North Britain - formerly known as Scotland in the address?

The other trip home to Ayrshire that I’m looking forward to is to the Girvan Folk Festival on the 1st weekend in May. Time to be confirmed, but Robyn Stapleton and I are likely to be there on the Sunday afternoon. Born in Kyle in the heart of Carrick wi a Gallowa legend! Cannae wait! t.co/ECBLMiBsa5

I sympthise as I spoon the last of my fine honey on the porridge. There must be a German compound which describes this condition: Honigangst ? Honigschmerz?

Love this image of a Scottish ship flying the saltire ensign in Veere - the Scottish Staple port in the Netherlands. We were present there for almost 400 years. The painting is in the town hall. Great to see the Dutch and Scots flags together in this 17th century painting.

Date for yer diary - Derval, April 24th. As pairt o the Lace 150 Celebrations, I'll be jyned by ane o the bonniest sangsters in Scotland the day Robyn Stapleton. Tell aw yer friens in Kyle, Carrick & Cunninghame that they can buy tickets here:

discoverdarvel.com/born-in-kyle/

Date for yer diary - Derval, April 24th. As pairt o the Lace 150 Celebrations, I'll be jyned by ane o the bonniest sangsters in Scotland the day Robyn Stapleton. Tell aw yer friens in Kyle, Carrick & Cunninghame that they can buy tickets here:

discoverdarvel.com/born-in-kyle/