The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Stag’s Head has Billy Connolly connection right down to a tee
Images of The Big Yin will take centre stage as hostelries in Carnoustie begin welcoming visitors to the Open Championship next week.
A cardboard cut-out of Billy Connolly will be posted outside the Stag’s Head, where the legendary comic cut his performing teeth.
Kevin Liddell, whose wife Jackie is manager of the pub, said: “This was the first venue that Billy performed in, so we have a cut-out of him, which the customers love.
“We are a family-run pub, so we expect to be putting in the hours during The Open, but we are looking forward to it.”
A photo of The Big Yin has pride of place on the wall of the pub, with a notice which reads: “William J Connolly III played his first public performance here, Saturday 7th July 1962.”
The comic started out on the folk music circuit with Gerry Rafferty but turned to performing full-time after learning his trade as a welder in the Glasgow shipyards.
Alan Leiper, of the Aboukir Hotel, said he was fully booked for the big golfing event and had taken on extra staff to cope with demand.
He said he was looking forward to seeing the place packed with locals and visitors. “We have kept our prices the same and haven’t made any increases during The Open,” he added.
Manager of the Craw’s Nest, George Irvine, said the venue had also taken on extra staff and had others on standby.
“I was working here during the last Open and I think we can expect a real buzz about the place,” he said.
“We have done some work to decorate the beer garden, and we will have entertainment on the Friday and Saturday.”