Longing for home: Beloved comedian Billy Connolly reveals the place he’d like to be laid to rest

Reflecting on his life and health in recent years, comedy legend Sir Billy Connolly has hinted at where he’d like to be laid to rest.

Born in 1942, the 81-year-old Scottish-born Connolly has enjoyed a highly successful and lengthy career as a comedian.

Rising to fame in the 1970s, he quickly became a household name with his unique comedic style which combines observational comedy with anecdotes from his life, touching on topics ranging from everyday absurdities to social commentary.

Born in Glasgow, Connolly moved to the US in the 1980s, first to California then to New York before finally settling in Florida where he now lives with his wife, Pamela Stephenson.

Diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2013, the star has weathered the storm of his illness with his unwavering humour and positive outlook.

Throughout the latter years of his life, the stand-up maestro has hinted at where he’d ultimately like to be laid to rest.

In 2018 he opened up about his plans to return to Scotland while filming a documentary series entitled Billy Connolly’s Ultimate World Tour.

At the time he revealed that he plans to be buried near the banks of Loch Lomond, outside of Glasgow.

“I remember standing by the shores of Loch Lomond, Inversnaid, and the sky was beautiful,” he said.

“I remember that line, I forget whose line it is: ‘Breathes there the man, with soul so dead, who never to himself hath said, this is my own, my native land’.

“I don’t like to look like a bagpiper with heather in my ears but sometimes your love for the place just has to find a stage. I’d like to die there.

“It’s a weird subject to bring up, but I wouldn’t like to stay away forever. I’d like to be planted there eventually – in Loch Lomond.”

While he has been stoic about his health woes, Connolly recently admitted in a heartbreaking interview with BBC Radio 4’s Today program that he is getting “fed up” with his battle against his disease. 

“I’m fed up with it,” he admitted before lightening the mood with his unique approach to dealing with his illness.

“I think I have a good attitude to it. I say to the disease, ‘I’ll give you a break if you give me a break.’ We’re nice to each other.”

Despite the difficulties of his condition, Connolly credits humour as the lifeline that has sustained him throughout the tough times.

“I’ve always been easily made [to] laugh. I am lucky with my sense of humour. I can laugh myself out of most things,” he said.

His unwavering humour and positive outlook undoubtedly have been instrumental in helping him navigate the more challenging aspects he has had “to put up with”.

These include having to walk with a stick, using a wheelchair at airports and relying on his wife to dress him.

“My wife puts my clothes on in the morning. It’s not very manly. Your mum puts your clothes on. I’m clumsy. I’m out of balance a lot and I fall,” he said.

But despite his challenges, Connolly continues doing his best not to let the disease get him down.