Billy Kay was born in Galston, Ayrshire in 1951, and educated at the local High School, Kilmarnock Academy and Edinburgh University. There he began doing a degree in modern languages - he speaks French, German, and Portuguese - but his increasing fascination with his own culture, made him switch to a degree in Scottish literature.
He has his own independent production company for which he has presented and produced an average of ten new features per year on BBC Radio Scotland. He has won five international awards for his programmes, which have been broadcast on BBC Radio 4, R.T.E. Ireland, A.B.C. Australia, C.B.C. Canada and Radio Netherlands World Service. In 2006, Mainstream Publishing issued a brand new edition of his classic work 'Scots The Mither Tongue' while his latest book 'The Scottish World' was launched at the Edinburgh International Book Festival in August 2006.
Growing up in the heart of the Burns country, Billy is steeped in the Burns tradition of poetry, song and language - a definite advantage when it comes to reciting poems like Tam o' Shanter and talking about the local, national and international connections in the bards work. Along with traditional singers like Rod Paterson and Jock Tamson's Bairns, Billy has also presented events based on Burns, Scottish culture and history at festivals such as Celtic Connections in Glasgow and the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington DC.
One of his books is called 'Knee Deep in Claret' and wine is another subject he talks about with knowledge and enthusiasm - from tastings to dinners where food is matched with fine wines with historic Scottish connections, for the Scots have been involved in the worlds vineyards for centuries. A Scotland football fan, he is also convinced that it was the Scots who taught the world to kick a ball. He has never been invited to give this particular talk in England!
Billy Kay is passionate about Scotland and its people's phenomenal influence around the world, and is able to communicate that passion with a great deal of humour and love.
Audiences for his talks have ranged from the Scottish European Society in Brussels, to the 'Varieties of Scottishness' conference in Belfast. He has also spoken at the universities of Poznan in Poland, and Edinburgh, Strathclyde and Aberdeen in Scotland.
Billy is a gifted, humorous and experienced speaker on most things Scottish, hosting prestigious events and addressing distinguished audiences from Washington DC to Waikiki and from Aberdeen to Ayrshire. He is an excellent choice for all types of corporate and private events and is happy to tailor his speeches and presentations to suit the client's brief.
Find out how to book Billy Kay as the after dinner speaker for your next event by calling SpeakOut! on 020 8914 8966 or clicking the button below.