Billy Kay
@billykayscot.bsky.social
Scriever/Braidcaster in Scots, English, an a wheen ither leids forbye.
Writer/Broadcaster in English, Scots and a few other languages as well. Passionate about Scottish independence, my wife, my weans and grandweans. Oh, and Scotland & Dundee United.
Writer/Broadcaster in English, Scots and a few other languages as well. Passionate about Scottish independence, my wife, my weans and grandweans. Oh, and Scotland & Dundee United.
Images from the Scottish Diaspora tapestry - three of many
panels which were inspired by stories in my book The Scottish World. These are on the Scottish influence on Gothenburg and Jonsered in Sweden. It was lads from my own Irvine Valley who took fitba to Gothenburg.
panels which were inspired by stories in my book The Scottish World. These are on the Scottish influence on Gothenburg and Jonsered in Sweden. It was lads from my own Irvine Valley who took fitba to Gothenburg.
January 28, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Images from the Scottish Diaspora tapestry - three of many
panels which were inspired by stories in my book The Scottish World. These are on the Scottish influence on Gothenburg and Jonsered in Sweden. It was lads from my own Irvine Valley who took fitba to Gothenburg.
panels which were inspired by stories in my book The Scottish World. These are on the Scottish influence on Gothenburg and Jonsered in Sweden. It was lads from my own Irvine Valley who took fitba to Gothenburg.
Twa cheery Scots Saws fae the book for aw you aulder fowk. Enjoy! :
“There’s nae remeid for stark deid.” - there's a solution for everything except death.
“There’s nae pooches in a shroud.” Nae yiss hoardin siller as ye get aulder sae yaise it weel while ye can.
“There’s nae remeid for stark deid.” - there's a solution for everything except death.
“There’s nae pooches in a shroud.” Nae yiss hoardin siller as ye get aulder sae yaise it weel while ye can.
January 27, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Twa cheery Scots Saws fae the book for aw you aulder fowk. Enjoy! :
“There’s nae remeid for stark deid.” - there's a solution for everything except death.
“There’s nae pooches in a shroud.” Nae yiss hoardin siller as ye get aulder sae yaise it weel while ye can.
“There’s nae remeid for stark deid.” - there's a solution for everything except death.
“There’s nae pooches in a shroud.” Nae yiss hoardin siller as ye get aulder sae yaise it weel while ye can.
The alternative Burns supper - @joaokay.bsky.social’s Açorda de Marisco - prawns, olive oil, garlic, coriander, bread soaked in seafood stock and a dash of tabasco. Sonsie & perfect with chilled Alvarinho vinho verde - a bouquet of honeysuckle & lemon, full bodied with a citric finish🇵🇹Lindo!🏴Braw!
January 25, 2026 at 7:59 PM
The alternative Burns supper - @joaokay.bsky.social’s Açorda de Marisco - prawns, olive oil, garlic, coriander, bread soaked in seafood stock and a dash of tabasco. Sonsie & perfect with chilled Alvarinho vinho verde - a bouquet of honeysuckle & lemon, full bodied with a citric finish🇵🇹Lindo!🏴Braw!
A guid Scots saw for ye tae yaise an revive this Burns Nicht. “Ye cannae dae ocht, gin ye’ve nocht tae dae ocht wi”. The Scottish government should yaise it ony time they cannae dae somethin because they hivnae got the economic pouers o a normal, independent kintrae. Telt!
January 25, 2026 at 10:42 AM
A guid Scots saw for ye tae yaise an revive this Burns Nicht. “Ye cannae dae ocht, gin ye’ve nocht tae dae ocht wi”. The Scottish government should yaise it ony time they cannae dae somethin because they hivnae got the economic pouers o a normal, independent kintrae. Telt!
I’m gey prood o the fact that, like Burns, I’m a lad that wis Born in Kyle. (thanks for the title, Rabbie) This is fae a chapter on the guid Scots words we yaised ilka day that dated back tae afore Burns’ time. Lug in tae me readin mair like this on Audible. Ye’ll fair enjoy it.
January 25, 2026 at 10:20 AM
I’m gey prood o the fact that, like Burns, I’m a lad that wis Born in Kyle. (thanks for the title, Rabbie) This is fae a chapter on the guid Scots words we yaised ilka day that dated back tae afore Burns’ time. Lug in tae me readin mair like this on Audible. Ye’ll fair enjoy it.
If you’re enjoying Burns this week, make it permanent by constantly using the language of his greatest work, Scots. I was lucky to belong to a family that cherished it and gave me pride in speaking it. “Thaim wi a guid Scots tongue in their heid are fit tae gang ower the warld”
January 24, 2026 at 11:51 AM
If you’re enjoying Burns this week, make it permanent by constantly using the language of his greatest work, Scots. I was lucky to belong to a family that cherished it and gave me pride in speaking it. “Thaim wi a guid Scots tongue in their heid are fit tae gang ower the warld”
Here’s a passage from Scots The Mither Tongue on the influence of Robert Fergusson on Burns and two verses from a poem that will be performed a lot this week, Holy Willie’s Prayer.
January 24, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Here’s a passage from Scots The Mither Tongue on the influence of Robert Fergusson on Burns and two verses from a poem that will be performed a lot this week, Holy Willie’s Prayer.
If you’re on Audible and fancy total immersion in Scots as we celebrate Burns and his brilliant use of the language, you can listen to me narrating Scots The Mither Tongue & Born in Kyle on the platform. They’re also on Kindle. The memoir is thrang wi Burns references like this:
January 23, 2026 at 3:32 PM
If you’re on Audible and fancy total immersion in Scots as we celebrate Burns and his brilliant use of the language, you can listen to me narrating Scots The Mither Tongue & Born in Kyle on the platform. They’re also on Kindle. The memoir is thrang wi Burns references like this:
The Auld Alliance.
Pierre de Ronsard, part of the group of French poets called la Pléiade on Mary Queen of Scots:
"Écosse, tu auras une gloire éternelle d'avoir conçu en toy une royne si belle."
You will enjoy eternal glory, Scotland, as the cradle of such a beautiful queen.
Pierre de Ronsard, part of the group of French poets called la Pléiade on Mary Queen of Scots:
"Écosse, tu auras une gloire éternelle d'avoir conçu en toy une royne si belle."
You will enjoy eternal glory, Scotland, as the cradle of such a beautiful queen.
January 22, 2026 at 4:56 PM
The Auld Alliance.
Pierre de Ronsard, part of the group of French poets called la Pléiade on Mary Queen of Scots:
"Écosse, tu auras une gloire éternelle d'avoir conçu en toy une royne si belle."
You will enjoy eternal glory, Scotland, as the cradle of such a beautiful queen.
Pierre de Ronsard, part of the group of French poets called la Pléiade on Mary Queen of Scots:
"Écosse, tu auras une gloire éternelle d'avoir conçu en toy une royne si belle."
You will enjoy eternal glory, Scotland, as the cradle of such a beautiful queen.
Happy Birthday tae ma bonnie lassie an daurlin dochter Catriona. Here’s tae ye for there’s naebody’s like ye. Hae a braw day wi guid wine x
January 21, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Happy Birthday tae ma bonnie lassie an daurlin dochter Catriona. Here’s tae ye for there’s naebody’s like ye. Hae a braw day wi guid wine x
I interviewed baith Law and Baxter ower the years an yaised thay memories in ane o ma fitba stories in Born in Kyle…whaur I dream o a Scotland dream team skelpin England in the world cup final. Ye can lug intae me readin the haill book on Audible or get it fae me or Amazon.
January 17, 2026 at 9:29 AM
I interviewed baith Law and Baxter ower the years an yaised thay memories in ane o ma fitba stories in Born in Kyle…whaur I dream o a Scotland dream team skelpin England in the world cup final. Ye can lug intae me readin the haill book on Audible or get it fae me or Amazon.
@joao_kay looking cool in Calistoga back in 2017. Great memories, great Napa Valley wine, and the thrill of following in the footsteps of the great Robert Louis Stevenson who wrote Silverado Squatters nearby. Scots vigneron Andy Smith of Dumol there with me.
January 16, 2026 at 5:42 PM
@joao_kay looking cool in Calistoga back in 2017. Great memories, great Napa Valley wine, and the thrill of following in the footsteps of the great Robert Louis Stevenson who wrote Silverado Squatters nearby. Scots vigneron Andy Smith of Dumol there with me.
One of the most enchanting places in Europe for a Scot is Veere in the Netherlands. For almost 400 years it was the Scottish Staple - a home from home for Scottish merchants trading with Europe. They’re still proud of their Scots history, so a warm welcome awaits you. 🏴🇳🇱
January 16, 2026 at 3:12 PM
One of the most enchanting places in Europe for a Scot is Veere in the Netherlands. For almost 400 years it was the Scottish Staple - a home from home for Scottish merchants trading with Europe. They’re still proud of their Scots history, so a warm welcome awaits you. 🏴🇳🇱
Scotland was a multi-lingual, multi-national society from the beginning. When David I founded the Royal Burghs he addressed the people there as "Scottis et Anglis, Frankis et Flemmingis" – the Scots, English, French & Flemish who made up his Community of the Realm of Scotland.
January 14, 2026 at 3:13 PM
Scotland was a multi-lingual, multi-national society from the beginning. When David I founded the Royal Burghs he addressed the people there as "Scottis et Anglis, Frankis et Flemmingis" – the Scots, English, French & Flemish who made up his Community of the Realm of Scotland.
Long before Celtic Connections was born, I organised these amazing concerts of Celtic music in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Both were sell outs - little wonder considering the quality of the brilliant musicians on stage and the price of the tickets!
January 13, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Long before Celtic Connections was born, I organised these amazing concerts of Celtic music in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Both were sell outs - little wonder considering the quality of the brilliant musicians on stage and the price of the tickets!
"Doric was a dialect of ancient Greek, whose rustic strength contrasted with the sophistication of the literary language of Athens. In the 18th century Scots writers like Alan Ramsay justified using Scots by comparing it to the use of Doric by Theocritus." The book is on Amazon, Kindle & Audible
January 13, 2026 at 1:11 PM
"Doric was a dialect of ancient Greek, whose rustic strength contrasted with the sophistication of the literary language of Athens. In the 18th century Scots writers like Alan Ramsay justified using Scots by comparing it to the use of Doric by Theocritus." The book is on Amazon, Kindle & Audible
From Robert Louis Stevenson's Silverado Squatters in the Napa Valley: "The happiest lot on earth is to be born a Scotchman…An Englishman may meet an Englishman tomorrow upon Chimborazo (in the Andes) and neither of them cares; but when the Scots wine-grower told me of Mons Meg it was like magic..."
January 12, 2026 at 2:56 PM
From Robert Louis Stevenson's Silverado Squatters in the Napa Valley: "The happiest lot on earth is to be born a Scotchman…An Englishman may meet an Englishman tomorrow upon Chimborazo (in the Andes) and neither of them cares; but when the Scots wine-grower told me of Mons Meg it was like magic..."
Lang syne even wee boays as young as this were commandeered tae run doon tae the shops for auld folk’s messages! I ken, because I wis that boay.
January 11, 2026 at 9:07 AM
Lang syne even wee boays as young as this were commandeered tae run doon tae the shops for auld folk’s messages! I ken, because I wis that boay.
If you’re on Audible, you can listen to me narrate my memoir about working class life in a Scottish scheme in the 1950s & 60s. Born in Kyle is very much a love letter to an Ayrshire childhood. This passage is on the sense of community we all shared.
January 10, 2026 at 10:00 AM
If you’re on Audible, you can listen to me narrate my memoir about working class life in a Scottish scheme in the 1950s & 60s. Born in Kyle is very much a love letter to an Ayrshire childhood. This passage is on the sense of community we all shared.
A novel about Thomas Mann, with his family describing with incredulity the rise of Nazi fascism in 1930s Germany. They always say it can't get any worse... but it does always get worse. The alt right in Israel & America is getting worse & Farage awaits in the UK. An independent Scotland is a must.
January 9, 2026 at 3:51 PM
A novel about Thomas Mann, with his family describing with incredulity the rise of Nazi fascism in 1930s Germany. They always say it can't get any worse... but it does always get worse. The alt right in Israel & America is getting worse & Farage awaits in the UK. An independent Scotland is a must.
Asked if I could find a copy of my tv series on Scots I came across this powerful comment for the first time. I had a wee greet. What a tragedy though that so many generations of Scottish bairns were deprived of their culture. youtu.be/9XkSlE9sO-A?si…
January 7, 2026 at 4:37 PM
Asked if I could find a copy of my tv series on Scots I came across this powerful comment for the first time. I had a wee greet. What a tragedy though that so many generations of Scottish bairns were deprived of their culture. youtu.be/9XkSlE9sO-A?si…
A date for your diary if you live in East Ayrshire. As part of the Irvine Valley’s Lace 150 celebrations the great traditional singer Robyn Stapleton and I will be together for a special Born in Kyle event in Darvel Town Hall on the evening of Friday, April 24. More details to follow.
January 6, 2026 at 5:40 PM
A date for your diary if you live in East Ayrshire. As part of the Irvine Valley’s Lace 150 celebrations the great traditional singer Robyn Stapleton and I will be together for a special Born in Kyle event in Darvel Town Hall on the evening of Friday, April 24. More details to follow.
Oot for a stravaig in Berry’s Den a wee while syne, I cam across this clan gaitherin o deuks in the laigh pond.
January 5, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Oot for a stravaig in Berry’s Den a wee while syne, I cam across this clan gaitherin o deuks in the laigh pond.
In ma hoose aroon New Year, awbody wis expected tae sing a sang or recite a poem. Here’s ma description o faimily pairties back then fae Born in Kyle. I narrate the haill book on Audible, sae lug in ma friens an immerse yersel in the guid Scots tongue o oor fowk, past an praisent.
January 2, 2026 at 3:43 PM
In ma hoose aroon New Year, awbody wis expected tae sing a sang or recite a poem. Here’s ma description o faimily pairties back then fae Born in Kyle. I narrate the haill book on Audible, sae lug in ma friens an immerse yersel in the guid Scots tongue o oor fowk, past an praisent.
Claret decanted for tonight’s steak pie. A vertical tasting of 2 vintages of Château Cissac - one a gift from my friend Cailean who was a friend of the Vialard family and bought a barrel of the ‘82 vintage from them. We drank it with joy for years
January 1, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Claret decanted for tonight’s steak pie. A vertical tasting of 2 vintages of Château Cissac - one a gift from my friend Cailean who was a friend of the Vialard family and bought a barrel of the ‘82 vintage from them. We drank it with joy for years