Traveller’s story retold for younger generation

THE story of one of the most celebrated Scottish Travellers is being retold for a new generation to mark what would have been her 100th birthday.

Betsy Whyte’s great-grandson, David G Pullar, has created a children’s illustrated story based on her best-selling autobiography, The Yellow On The Broom.

He said he hoped the book, Wee Bessie, would introduce younger people to Traveller culture at an age when they are still openminded about other ways of life.

He also hopes it will encourage Traveller children to learn more about their own heritage and take a pride in where they come from.

“It seems just as important a message now as it would have been in 1979, when Yellow On The Broom was published, and that is to acknowledge that people are different, they always will be and we should be open to discuss our differences without fear of prejudice,” he said.

The book, illustrated by artist Ruthie Redden was published on what would have been Betsy’s 100th birthday.

The Yellow On The Broom told the story of her early life travelling around Scotland in the 1920s and 1930s, and was the first book to be written by someone from the Travelling community.

Young Betsy attended a number of village schools before winning a scholarship to Brechin High School, where she was the only Traveller child.

She gave up the Traveller life when she married in 1939 and started writing about her childhood in the 1970s.

Wee Bessie is the first children’s picture book based on the life of a Traveller in Scotland.

It is available to buy from heartofthetravellers.scot.