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The Scottish World: A Journey Into the Scottish Diaspora
"Thaim wi a guid Scots tongue in their heid are fit tae gang ower the warld."
While others have questioned the self-confidence of the Scots, Kay has traveled the world from Bangkok to Brazil, Warsaw to Waikiki and found ringing endorsements for the integrity and intellect, the poetry and passion of the Scottish people in every country he has visited. He expands people’s view of Scotland by relating remarkable stories of the wealthy Scottish merchant community in Gdansk; of national geniuses of Scots descent, such as Lermontov in Russia and Grieg in Norway; of an American Civil War blamed on Sir Walter Scott and initiated in the St. Andrews Society of Charleston; of inspirational missionaries in Calabar and Budapest; of Scotch Professors establishing football in soccer strongholds like Barcelona and São Paulo; of pioneers like Sandeman and Cockburn and the Scottish roots of many of the great wines of Europe; and of amazing Scottish involvement in liberation movements in Malawi, Chile, Peru, Greece, Corsica, and India. The result is a celebration of the enormous contribution the Scots have made to the modern world.
While others have questioned the self-confidence of the Scots, Kay has traveled the world from Bangkok to Brazil, Warsaw to Waikiki and found ringing endorsements for the integrity and intellect, the poetry and passion of the Scottish people in every country he has visited. He expands people’s view of Scotland by relating remarkable stories of the wealthy Scottish merchant community in Gdansk; of national geniuses of Scots descent, such as Lermontov in Russia and Grieg in Norway; of an American Civil War blamed on Sir Walter Scott and initiated in the St. Andrews Society of Charleston; of inspirational missionaries in Calabar and Budapest; of Scotch Professors establishing football in soccer strongholds like Barcelona and São Paulo; of pioneers like Sandeman and Cockburn and the Scottish roots of many of the great wines of Europe; and of amazing Scottish involvement in liberation movements in Malawi, Chile, Peru, Greece, Corsica, and India. The result is a celebration of the enormous contribution the Scots have made to the modern world.
304 pages, Paperback
First published July 13, 2006
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About the author
Billy Kay
30 books8 followersBilly 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. He is best known for his study on the history and current status of the Scots language, Scots: The Mither Tongue (1980), which became the basis for a television series broadcast in 1986.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
August 30, 2012
Fascinating read about the author's journey to places where Scots have emigrated. Hard to remember as he jumps about a bit but I learned a lot and am really enjoying it.
April 7, 2022
An excellent and varied history of Scottish peoples and individuals and their impact on nations of the modern world.
It covers fitba, revolutions, masons, an military. Even the uncomfortable but necessary histories of Slave traders, Klan members and missionaries.
Loved the focus on music and poetry throughout the book aswell. A great way to examine the emotions and lives of people long gone.
It covers fitba, revolutions, masons, an military. Even the uncomfortable but necessary histories of Slave traders, Klan members and missionaries.
Loved the focus on music and poetry throughout the book aswell. A great way to examine the emotions and lives of people long gone.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews