Boyd was born in Glasgow, Scotland to William and Mary Boyd, who both died a year apart when Boyd was in his early teens. He was brought up, along with his elder sister Margaret, by their grandmother. In 1984, at the age of 16, he appeared in local musical company Theatre Guild, Glasgow's production of Hans Andersen. He worked as a book-binder for seven years before pursuing an acting career. One of the books he bound was The Lord of the Rings. He graduated from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama, where he earned a diploma in Dramatic Arts.
Home is behind, the world ahead, And there are many paths to tread Through shadows to the edge of night, Until the stars are all alight. Mist and shadow, cloud and shade All shall fade! All shall fade
Speaking outside the GFT, he said. “It’s humbling, it’s a massive honour ... It is based on the story of Gavin Bain and Billy Boyd, from Dundee, who reinvented themselves as Californian rappers Silibil N Brains ... He said.