The Scottish World: A Journey into the Scottish Diaspora

by Billy Kay

In The Scottish World, renowned broadcaster Billy Kay takes us on a global journey of discovery, highlighting the extraordinary influence the Scots have had on communities and cultures on almost every continent. While others have questioned the self-confidence of the Scots, Kay has travelled 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 inspirational missionaries in Calabar and Budapest, and of Scots' amazing involvement in liberation movements in Malawi, Chile, Peru, Greece, Corsica, and India. The Scottish World is a celebration of the enormous contribution the Scots have made to the modern world.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Historical

303 pages, Hardcover

First published July 13, 2006

About the author

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. 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.

Reviews

[Mair Davies · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.