BBC Radio 4 LW

Rise of the Willies

Documentaries

Factual

19/05/2014

BBC Radio 4 - Rise of the Willies

They work in London but live in Edinburgh. Alan Cochrane meets Edinburgh's super-commuters

A train from Edinburgh Waverley on Monday morning, a flight back from London City on Friday. Alan Cochrane meets the Willies, who work in London and live in Edinburgh.

As a result of the decline of the financial sector in Edinburgh (the latest Global Financial Sectors rating saw the city fall 17 points to number 54) Scotland has seen the growth of a new breed of super commuter who go under the acronym WILLIES because they Work in London, Live in Edinburgh. With their kids in local private schools and houses in the city, they fly or train up and down at the ends of the week from jobs in London.

Alan Cochrane, the Scottish editor of the Daily Telegraph gave the breed their cheeky nickname. Here he speaks to the WILLIES about their work and lifestyle choice.

BBC Radio 4

BBC Radio 4 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced BBC Home Service.

Radio 4

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Rise of the Willies

Genres

Formats

BBC Radio 4 LW

About BBC Radio 4