The Hobbit star will receive the Great Scot Award during a fundraising gala for the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA on 9 April (15) for promoting his home country's culture and heritage throughout his career.

Fellow Scot and previous award winner Alan Cumming will present Connolly with the prize during the annual event at the Metropolitan Club during Tartan Week, an annual celebration of Scots in New York City.

Helen Sayles, chairwoman of the Trust, says,"Billy Connolly truly embodies the title of Great Scot. He is a self-made man and proud Scot, whose extraordinary gifts, down-to-earth Scottish humour, and distinguished body of work in music, comedy, and film have warmed the hearts and minds of audiences worldwide."