From Paisley Grammar School he went on to study drama at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (RSAMD, Now the Scottish Conservatoire, Scotland’s equivalent to England’s RADA) and at Glasgow University, where he took a teaching course in Drama.  However, as young Raymond was already taking part in professional productions, a practice which was seriously frowned upon by the RSAMD, Raymond decided to leave to avoid trouble.

So, after leaving his course at Glasgow University, in a show at the Edinburgh Empire, week commencing 24 October 1955, Billy Raymond appeared as ninth turn on the bill as an impressionist.  It is not known which personalities of the time he was impersonating!  Then, on week commencing 19 December 1955 for one week only, he appeared in the pantomime at the Palace Theatre, Kilmarnock and the Tivoli Theatre, Aberdeen called “Little Bo Peep and her Real Live Sheep” as “Dog Tray”, Mother Hubbard’s Sheep Dog!  The show starred the late, great, Tommy Morgan, with Margaret Milne, Anne Fields, Charlie Sim and Danny Reagan (who was also the choreographer).

1953-55