THERE are few more precious gifts than the gift of laughter.
Those who are able to bestow it upon others deserve our gratitude. And those who continue to do so having shrugged off adversity should be cherished by all.
One such is Billy Connolly. He has long been held in the highest esteem in Scotland, and has won many thousands of fans all over the world. At the age of 72, and having being diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and battled prostate cancer, he still has audiences rolling in the aisles - he has just completed a sell-out tour of Australia.
He is one of our most renowned exports, so the news that he is to be given a Great Scot Award during next month's Tartan Week celebrations in the United States should come as no great surprise. He is to be recognised for his outstanding service to promoting Scotland's culture and heritage throughout a 50-year career, and rightly so.
Helen Sayles, chairwoman of the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA, has it right when she says his extraordinary gifts "have warmed the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide".
The Big Yin moved to New York in 2007, but he will always be one of our own, and this newest round of applause will be richly deserved. Gaun yirsel', Billy.
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