A major UK museum exhibition will be all about Billy Connolly

Billy Connolly is Scottish royalty – almost literally, as he received a knighthood in 2017. After decades ruling the comedy scene, he took on the film industry in favourites like Mrs Brown (1997) and Brave (2012). Known as The Big Yin (The Big One) to fans, the nickname certainly matches his cultural impact over the years. 

The comic icon already recorded an audio guide for 12 artefacts at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum earlier this year – but he’s about to become the main attraction with a new exhibition dedicated to the comedian coming to the museum in 2027. 

Kelvingrove is itself a staple of UK culture – in fact, it recently made Time Out’s list for the best museums to visit in the UK. Given its 8,000 artefacts, 22 galleries and daily organ recital, it’s not hard to guess why. 

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The appropriately named Big Wee Exhibition is a bit of a mystery, but what we do know is that it’ll open in June next year. More details, including opening dates and featured exhibits, are expected to be announced soon. 

So what might we expect? Well, Connolly’s artwork has been drawing more attention in recent years, so that’s likely to feature. In a special video for Kelvingrove, The Big Yin himself described the exhibition as ‘about my life, my times, my clothes, my comedy’. We can feel confident that one or two of his funky 1970s-style stage outfits could feature. 

From growing up in Glasgow, Connolly spent much of his childhood in the museum with his dad. His favourite current exhibits include Scottish artist Alasdair Gray’s 1964 oil painting ‘Cowcaddens’, the medieval suits of armour, Sir Roger the stuffed elephant and Salvador Dalí’s ‘Christ of Saint John of the Cross’.

It’s not often you’ll get to check out Salvador Dalí and Billy Connolly’s work on the same day, but somehow, it fits. The comic legend has found his way into the UK’s heart – and now, Scotland’s biggest museum. 

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