Billy Kay - Born In Kyle

For the latest Scots Whay Hae! podcast, Ali spoke to writer and broadcaster Billy Kay to hear about his memoir Born In Kyle: A Love Letter tae an Ayrshire Childhood , but the conversation turns to so much more. Billy talks about his lifelong passion for Scots language and culture, and explains that the roots of this are to be found in that Ayrshire childhood, which he sets out in detail. The two then talk about Billy being the public face, and voice, of the Scots leid for so long, the changes in attitudes towards it, and public perception of its use, over the years, the new generation of Scots speakers and writers, and why education is key - and was once a big part of the problem. They also discuss their shared loved of Sottish culture, and literature in particular, deliberating over and celebrating favourite books and writers. Billy also gives a couple of short readings from Born In Kyle , and he wanted me to include the passages here so you can read along: “Whit’s for ye, will no gae by ye.” This is a dreich expression o Scots fatalism – that nae maitter whit ye dae, nae maitter hoo guid ye are, nae maitter hoo muckle ye prepare tae mak siccar somethin bad disnae happen, if ye’re