Bard of Lochwinnoch to perform at Paisley Book Festival

Betty McKellar, 96, known as the Bard of Lochwinnoch, will perform her work at the festival on Sunday, May 17, supported by members of the Lochwinnoch Writers Group, which she helped to found.

A former farmer’s wife and primary school teacher, Betty only began writing poetry after retiring at the age of 65.

Her poetry is influenced by her rich experiences in education and the rural countryside.

Betty said: "I never suddenly think I must write something – it’s simply enjoyment, quite honestly.

"It’s just something I like doing and it has been such a pleasurable experience."

Born in Edinburgh, Betty was introduced to poetry through childhood elocution lessons and found encouragement in reciting poems for her family.

She was evacuated to Selkirk during the Second World War and became captivated by the Border Ballads, which she credits as an early influence on her Scots-language writing.

Betty said: "I always loved the Border Ballads.

"That was the start of the poems in Scots I suppose."

The daughter of a cabinet maker, Betty reflects on the opportunities education provided her.

She said: "I didn't come from a family of vocationalists, I had a very working-class background.

"I was very fortunate as I came at just a time when working-class children started to have a better chance at accessing opportunities."

After marrying her husband Quintin and raising their two children, Alison and Quintin, Betty put her creative ambitions on hold to focus on family and teaching.

She said: "As a farmers’ wife and having a family to raise, as well as working as a local primary school teacher, I certainly did not have time for writing or poetry."

Her belief in the value of poetry extended into her teaching career, where she encouraged pupils to explore Scottish poetry and participate in competitions.

She said: "I did try to get children interested in Scottish poetry.

"I do believe we all ought to have a smattering of it and learn about the poetry of our own country."

However, it wasn’t until retirement that she rediscovered her passion for creating poetry through a writers’ group.

She remains active with the Lochwinnoch Writers Group, which she credits with motivating her poetry.

Betty said: "It gives me a certain impetus to keep writing because you are expected to have something to read and discuss.

"You meet like-minded people, discuss poetry and there’s the social aspect of it as well which is important."

Much of Betty's work draws from her personal experiences, including rural life, teaching and childhood memories.

She has also embraced writing in the Scots language, a style she explored later in life at the suggestion of a fellow group member.

Betty said: "I think it was one of the members of the writing group who suggested I had a go at writing in Scots, and I discovered that I could do it – and also quite enjoyed doing it."

Despite her achievements and numerous publications, Betty remains modest about her work.

She said: "I never thought it would be worth much.

"It’s simply my hobby and it has been such a pleasurable experience."

Betty's legacy now extends to her grandkids, who have used her poems for school projects.

She said: "My poetry is shaped primarily by my own life and experiences.

"I think that’s quite nice, because people like to know where they come from.

"Children like to know what their grannies and grandpas did.

"Poetry is a way of preserving those stories."

Betty's event, Glidin’ Through Time: Celebrating the Bard of Lochwinnoch, will take place at Paisley Town Hall from 3.45pm to 4.45pm.