It's Not Where You Start

About the Book: 

My story is no different from countless other youngsters. I could easily have fallen into a life of crime, violence, alcohol, drugs and despair. I could have chosen to follow the negative path and repeat the cycle but instead I chose to dwell on the positive moments. It really doesn’t matter where you start but where you finish.

Under the smiling face of ‘Glasgow’s Miles Better’, poverty and violence still loom large. Not everyone makes it out. But Scott Kyle did.

Latch-key kid from the back streets of Rutherglen to award-winning actor and producer on red carpets around the world, Scott’s story is one of hope.

With unflinching honesty and heart, he shares his journey, from a boy searching for belonging to a man determined to give back.

It’s Not Where You Start is more than a story of survival – it’s a testament to the transformative power of love, laughter and compassion.

Reviews: 

The story of how Scott Kyle went from being a latch-key kid on the streets of Rutherglen to an award winning actor and producer with over half a million followers on social media is both highly amusing and incredibly inspirational. PAUL KELBIE, Discover Scotland Magazine

A really well-told TED Talk with beautiful animations… such an engaging, humble and honest performer. CORA BISSETT, award-winning theatre director & playwright 

An amazing story and well worth your time… superb animations. NICOLA McCARTNEY, award-winning playwright & director

It's Not Where You Start by Scott Kyle is a straight forward and an inspirational memoir that follows his life story of a turbulent working-class upbringing in Glasgow, to an award-winning actor and producer who has his name in the international scene. The book is a blend of personal history, which is characterised by family conflict, poverty, broken relationships and episodes of extreme rejection with the accounts of perseverance, self-belief and hard work. DETASK.REVIEWS

It’s Not Where You Start… – A Spoken Word Experience by Scott Kyle:

Award-winning actor and producer Scott Kyle – known for Outlander, Kajaki, The Angels’ Share, Billy & Tim and Once Upon a Time in Scotland – brings his most personal work to the Tivoli Theatre with a bold and emotionally charged spoken word performance.

It’s Not Where You Start… is a powerful exploration of memory, resilience and belonging. Drawing on his lived experience – from spending time in care as a child to becoming a foster carer – Kyle gives voice to stories often left unheard.

Blending heartfelt poetry with striking comic book-style projections, this is storytelling that is both intimate and visually unforgettable. It’s a tribute to the past, a reckoning with the present, and a timely call for compassion as the UK care system faces increasing scrutiny.

Winner of the Stage Award for Acting Excellence, Scott Kyle delivers a must-see performance filled with honesty, humanity and hope.

Videos:

About the Author:

SCOTT KYLE is an award-winning actor and producer known for his captivating performances and entrepreneurial spirit. Born and raised in Rutherglen, Scotland, Kyle’s journey from a humble beginning to international recognition is an inspiring testament to the power of perseverance and hard work. He is best known for his roles in Outlander, The Angels Share, Kajaki and Singin’ I’m No A Billy He’s A Tim. With a dedicated following of over half a million on social media, Kyle continues to inspire and entertain audiences worldwide.