Leader: Glasgow honours a man after its own heart

Not too long ago the conferring of the Freedom of Glasgow on a city comedian would have formed one of Billy Connolly's knockabout routines -and by knockabout, this would be nothing left standing.

But today, despite the early controversies about blasphemy and bad language, Billy Connolly's place in the pantheon of great Scottish comics has never been more assured. The years have neither tempered him nor turned him into a bore. He has grown old shaggily, an Anderston hairdresser's nightmare, with no concessions to respectability. Rather, the times have moved to keep up with him.

It is to the city's credit that it has never taken itself too seriously - it would be quite unbearable if it did and, in any event, that is a space allegedly reserved for Edinburgh. Glasgow formed Billy Connolly and made him an unforgettable act. How appropriate that it should now confer such an honour on a citizen who has done so much to put its unique character on the world stage. His humour has been richly informed by the city, but it has been Connolly's genius for devastating observation that brought an appreciative audience across Scotland and far beyond. His cows can now safely graze on Glasgow Green.