Bill Hill

After-Dinner Entertainer

BILL HILL is a Borderer, resident in Edinburgh, and has over 40 years experience of entertaining the public. He is a retired (early) local government officer and worked in the field of education.

Bill is an original and has written some of the funniest songs to have come out of Scotland. Backed with sharp incisive and hilarious comment, Bill was one of the country's most sought after performers on the Scottish scene. Songs like 'The Portree Kid', 'The Scottish Holiday' and 'The Sunday Driver' became standard items in the repertoire of The Corries and other songs found their way into the acts of many artistes performing on the folk scene. Bill Barclay, Hamish Imlach and Alastair Macdonald, to name a few.

In the 70s and 80s, Bill presented and wrote humourous songs for Radio Forth and some of these found their way into publications such as 'Punch', one was included in Jocky Wilson's Own Story and one was performed on The Beechgrove Garden. He has appeared on many TV and radio programmes and has recorded four albums.

Bill retired from the circuit due to family commitments and is still missed, although his songs are still performed all over the world.

Bill has turned to public speaking and, through his long interest in the Robert Burns movement, has delivered all of the major toasts and replies and his recitations of 'Tam o' Shanter' and 'Holy Willie's Prayer' have delighted companies all over Scotland and beyond. He has often been involved in, and organised, MacGonagall suppers and his 'Tay Bridge Disaster' is a tour de force. Increasingly, he has been spreading his net wider. Golf clubs, sportsman's dinners, conferences, smokers and company events have been entertained with his original approach. He will always, given proper briefing, write an original and humourous poem or song for the event and tailor his performance to the occasion, gently lampooning the club worthies or company hierarchy and staff to the delight of the people present.

Bill is not the 'quick fire gag' type of speaker - he observes
He does not do 'stag material', he doesn't need to to be funny
He is not a sportsman – so no jokes that you have heard before
His is a new approach to after–dinner entertainment!

If you are looking for a unique and original after-dinner entertainment, (sometimes he even gets his guitar out!) ... Bill will fit the Bill!

Discography

Miscellaneous Dross (Pan Audio Records; Corries Music Ltd)
Bill Hill's Police Record (Alba Records)
Introducing the Caern – a Collection of Scots Folk (with the Caern Trio; Emerald Records)
Irish Folk Favourites (with the Caern Trio; Emerald Records)

Broadcasting

Two years with Radio Forth presenting 'Folkspun' and writing experience humourous topical songs for the news and sports programmes
Many individual appearances on Radio Scotland, Radio Clyde, Northsound, Borders and Westsound
TV appearances on BBC, STV, Grampian, Yorkshire, Danish, and German National TV
Networked on 'Scotland's Story' by Tom Steel

After dinner events

Benefit events for Pat Stanton, Jackie MacNamara, and Alan Gordon
Sportsmen's Dinners with Willie Hunter, Tony Higgins, Billy Bremner, Craigie Veitch and George McNeil

Hosting and compering

Haddington Fire Brigade Sportsmens Dinners
Royal College of Midwives Burns' Supper
Balerno SNP Burns' Supper
Edinburgh Folk Festival Final Usher Hall Concert and many other folk festival events
Countless McGonagall Suppers
various Political Party events, (all Parties)
... and many Police events

In addition, Bill is a trained and experienced Edinburgh guide with a vast knowledge of the City, its stories, and its history. If you are having an event in Edinburgh, Bill may also, by negotiation, customise a tour to the needs or interests of your clients, staff or members.

Current Availability

To check availability contact Bill Barclay.