Billy Kay
Encyclopedia
Billy Kay is a writer, broadcaster and language activist. Born in Galston, East Ayrshire
, Scotland
in 1951, he studied English Literature at the University of Edinburgh
. His study on the history and current status of the Lowland Scots
language, Scots: The Mither Tongue, is his most notable work, which was even made into a television series.
Galston, East Ayrshire
Galston is a town in East Ayrshire, Scotland which has a population of 5000 . It is situated in wooded countryside 4 miles up-river from Kilmarnock and is one a group of the small towns located in the Irvine Valley between the towns of Hurlford and Newmilns. Galston is located in the Loudoun area...
, Scotland
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...
in 1951, he studied English Literature at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
. His study on the history and current status of the Lowland Scots
Lowland Scots
Lowland Scots can refer to:* people of Lowland Scotland* Scots language...
language, Scots: The Mither Tongue, is his most notable work, which was even made into a television series.
Prizes and awards
- 1973 Grierson Verse Prize (University of Edinburgh)
- 1989 New York Radio Festival Silver Medal (radio series) The Scots of Ulster
- 1992 New York Radio Festival Bronze Medal (radio series) The Road and the Miles
- 1994 Sloan Prize - University of St Andrews (radio play) Lucky's Strike
- 1994 Wine Guild Houghton Award (radio programme) Fresche Fragrant Clairettis
- 1995 Heritage Society Award
- 1996 Wines of France Award Knee Deep in Claret: A Celebration of Wine and Scotland