Born in Glesga an a anerly bairn, her faimily muivit tae Kirn athort the watter in Argyll when she wis vera young, tae run a smaw hotel, efter her faither haed suffered a hert attack. As a bairn she suffered an attack o tuberculosis an uised a wheelchair for a time, which kindled a dream o becomin a actress. At the age o 17 she wan a place tae RADA, but insteid trained in Glesga, nearer tae her faimily.