Billy Kay - writer, broadcaster, linguist and champion of the Scots language chats to Jim Byrne

I was delighted and excited to chat to Billy Kay: writer, broadcaster, multi-linguist, and champion of the Scots language - most notably through his book 'The Mither Tongue', which is quite rightly regarded as a classic of contemporary Scottish culture.

Billy is a much-honored individual but, for many people, he came to prominence recently for his address to the Scottish parliament - the first ever to have been presented in Scots. Scots in the Scottish Parliament - heaven forbid!

In this episode we chat about Billy's early life in his beloved Galston in Ayrshire, his education, his love of the Scots language and his passion for Scottish independence, which, as he sees it, is the only route to saving the language and culture of Scots.

With his deep knowledge of Scottish history he effortlessly roams across several centuries of Scottish witers and characters: Burns, Sir Walter Scot, James Boswell, the painters JD Ferguson, Allan Ramsay and more.

The thing about Billy is that - just talking to him - made me feel more intelligent than I am. that’s a talent!

Enjoy.

Links

• Billy Kay.
• Pat's Guide to Glasgow West End.
• @glasgowswestend
• @billykayscot
   

Music by Jim Byrne