Andy Stewart’s childhood, his time at Drama College, marriage and family life, and details of early stage, television, radio and Royal Variety performances.
The White Heather Club
The White Heather Club was a weekly televised céilidh broadcast in Scotland then networked UK-wide, quickly making its presenter, Andy Stewart, a household name.
A Scottish Soldier
The overwhelming success of his song A Scottish Soldier, took everyone by surprise. A worldwide smash hit record, it remained in print through the entire 1960s.
Songwriting
Andy began songwriting as a boy. Later it was his creative partnership with BBC producer Iain MacFadyen that produced the classics in the Stewart catalogue.
The Glasgow Empire
Andy Stewart had two record-breaking seasons at the Empire Theatre, Glasgow with shows sold out twice-nightly for twenty-six weeks in 1961 and again in 1962.
Worldwide Success
From the outset, Andy realised touring abroad was an extremely viable business, albeit one which could require an astonishing 75,000 miles travelling in a year.
In The Media Spotlight
Despite his hectic schedule, Andy still managed to make many TV shows over the years ensuring his profile was kept high at home whilst he was off touring abroad.
Heather, Haggis & Hogmanay
In the 1970s Scotland began actively trying to distance itself from its traditional Scottish heritage and Andy Stewart became one of the casualties of the times.
More From The Man Behind The Kilt
Why did Andy work so hard, and push himself to the detriment of his health? An endeavour to dig deeper, and reveal more of the character of the tartan-trouper.
Illness & Forced Retirement
Andy Stewart suffered many bouts of illness, and by the 1980s, being regularly hospitalised, it seemed that his life in the public eye was finally over.
The Final Comeback
In 1989 Donald Where’s Your Troosers put Andy Stewart in the spotlight once again. In 1992 he would ultimately make his final comeback, before his death in 1993.
