Born in 1929, Betty McKellar was a familiar face to generations of children in Lochwinnoch through her work as a teacher in the village school. Her early years were spent in Edinburgh, before she moved to Selkirk as an evacuee in World War II. She completed teacher training in Edinburgh then moved to Lochwinnoch following her marriage to hill farmer Quintin McKellar, who raised sheep in the Muirshiel Glen.

Betty started writing poetry fairly late in life following her retirement. Writing in both English and Scots, she quickly developed a distinctive and evocative style which is widely admired and enjoyed. She is now widely known as ‘The Bard of Lochwinnoch.’

Lairdside Press is proud and delighted to announce the publication in May 2026 of Swan Songs, which is Betty’s 8th solo anthology. Featuring poems chosen by Lairdside Press editor and author, Louise Turner, it includes a broad selection of Betty’s work drawn from a variety of sources, ranging from her first solo anthology Poetry Trails right through to more recent releases Birds and Consider the Lilies.

Many people first encounter Betty’s work in monumental form, as lines from her poems Come Sit With Me, Heartlands and Fly like the Shearwater have been immortalised at various locations around Lochwinnoch, Parkhill Woods and Castle Semple Loch. Swan Songs includes these poems and many more besides, making it an excellent introduction to Betty McKellar’s work. It also includes a list of publications to assist those who would like to learn more about her poetry.

A5, perfect bound, 98 pages. RRP £10

Copies can be purchased from Colette’s Cairn in Lochwinnoch, Renfrewshire and Abbey Books, Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland or direct from the author. An e-book version is being prepared for wider distribution.