Bill Torrance
Encyclopedia
Bill Torrance born May 13, 1946, to James and Mary Torrance, originally of Ayrshire
, is a Scottish
broadcaster and entertainer who is known for hosting The Beechgrove Garden
on BBC Scotland
throughout the 1990s, Torrance is currently a presenter on Dundee
radio station Tay AM
.
In addition to TAY AM, Bill Torrance also presents for NORTHSOUND 2 on Sunday afternoons. Word has it that it is possible that he may have been the inspiration for the Narnia books because he presents the two radio programmes from the comfort of his own wardrobe at home, but the programme is more Caledonia than Narnia as you'll hear every Sunday afternoon from noon until two.
A man of many talents, for more than two decades now, Bill Torrance has hosted Scotland's longest running stage show - Jamie's Scottish Evening - at the Thistle Edinburgh hotel. Jamie's Scottish Evening is more than just a show, with his expertise, Bill Torrance makes this evening not only entertaining, but a cultural lesson in Scottish history - concluding with his presentation of Robert Burns
"Ceremony to the Haggis" which he also hosts at Blair Castle
twice yearly.
Not limited to stage and radio, Bill Torrance has a long history of background "voice over" which includes recording commercials for not only radio, but also television, business presentations, composing music on-hold, public service announcements, event announcements, telephone voice overs, and audio book narration. Bill is able to portray voice ages of young adult, middle age, and senior. He has delighted audiences the world over with his many character voices and public appearances
Bill Torrance is also an Honorary Vice President of the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
(SSPCA) which he supports and actively campaigns for improved animal welfare standards. The SSPCA is Scotland's animal welfare charity. The main objectives of the SSPCA is to prevent cruelty to animals and promote kindness and humanity in their treatment. Over the years he has played a major role in shaping government policy and raising public awareness of animal welfare issues by working with the media and other organisations.
Old Scot Quote:
"Ye canna recite Burns juist oot o yer heid. If it disnae come fae yer hert and up through yer heid, it's no worth sayin. Because it must touch the hert, because Burns touched the hert a' the time." = If you have ever had the opportunity to experience Bill Torrance recite the works of Robert Burns, not only is it from the heart - it is absolutely magical! - Debbie-Rose Parker, November 2007(debbie-roseparker.com)
Ayrshire
Ayrshire is a registration county, and former administrative county in south-west Scotland, United Kingdom, located on the shores of the Firth of Clyde. Its principal towns include Ayr, Kilmarnock and Irvine. The town of Troon on the coast has hosted the British Open Golf Championship twice in the...
, is a Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
broadcaster and entertainer who is known for hosting The Beechgrove Garden
The Beechgrove Garden
The Beechgrove Garden is a television programme broadcast on BBC Two Scotland since 1978, but since 10 April 2007 now broadcast on BBC One Scotland. It is a gardening programme. The original plot of land used was the small area of garden attached to the BBC studios in Aberdeen, located in the...
on BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland
BBC Scotland is a constituent part of the British Broadcasting Corporation, the publicly-funded broadcaster of the United Kingdom. It is, in effect, the national broadcaster for Scotland, having a considerable amount of autonomy from the BBC's London headquarters, and is run by the BBC Trust, who...
throughout the 1990s, Torrance is currently a presenter on Dundee
Dundee
Dundee is the fourth-largest city in Scotland and the 39th most populous settlement in the United Kingdom. It lies within the eastern central Lowlands on the north bank of the Firth of Tay, which feeds into the North Sea...
radio station Tay AM
Tay AM
Tay AM is an Independent Local Radio station commercial local radio station serving Dundee, Perth and the general Tayside area in Scotland. The station provides adult contemporary music and classic hits, with chat, competitions, local, national and international news and sport including local...
.
In addition to TAY AM, Bill Torrance also presents for NORTHSOUND 2 on Sunday afternoons. Word has it that it is possible that he may have been the inspiration for the Narnia books because he presents the two radio programmes from the comfort of his own wardrobe at home, but the programme is more Caledonia than Narnia as you'll hear every Sunday afternoon from noon until two.
A man of many talents, for more than two decades now, Bill Torrance has hosted Scotland's longest running stage show - Jamie's Scottish Evening - at the Thistle Edinburgh hotel. Jamie's Scottish Evening is more than just a show, with his expertise, Bill Torrance makes this evening not only entertaining, but a cultural lesson in Scottish history - concluding with his presentation of Robert Burns
Robert Burns
Robert Burns was a Scottish poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide...
"Ceremony to the Haggis" which he also hosts at Blair Castle
Blair Castle
Blair Castle stands in its grounds near the village of Blair Atholl in Perthshire in Scotland. It is the home of the Clan Murray family, who hold the title of Duke of Atholl, though the current Duke, John Murray, lives in South Africa....
twice yearly.
Not limited to stage and radio, Bill Torrance has a long history of background "voice over" which includes recording commercials for not only radio, but also television, business presentations, composing music on-hold, public service announcements, event announcements, telephone voice overs, and audio book narration. Bill is able to portray voice ages of young adult, middle age, and senior. He has delighted audiences the world over with his many character voices and public appearances
Bill Torrance is also an Honorary Vice President of the Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Scottish Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
The Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is a charity to promote animal welfare in Scotland. It was founded in Edinburgh in 1839 and one of its first aims was to improve the welfare of cart-horses...
(SSPCA) which he supports and actively campaigns for improved animal welfare standards. The SSPCA is Scotland's animal welfare charity. The main objectives of the SSPCA is to prevent cruelty to animals and promote kindness and humanity in their treatment. Over the years he has played a major role in shaping government policy and raising public awareness of animal welfare issues by working with the media and other organisations.
Old Scot Quote:
"Ye canna recite Burns juist oot o yer heid. If it disnae come fae yer hert and up through yer heid, it's no worth sayin. Because it must touch the hert, because Burns touched the hert a' the time." = If you have ever had the opportunity to experience Bill Torrance recite the works of Robert Burns, not only is it from the heart - it is absolutely magical! - Debbie-Rose Parker, November 2007(debbie-roseparker.com)