Growing up as an only child in Stornoway could have been seen as idyllic - to a child, the island was a 'safe haven' with no serious crime and many unspoiled white sandy beaches.

However, I discovered at the age of eight that I had been adopted from Glasgow. Although I knew that my parents loved me, very much, only one thing was missing from my life - a sister or brother to share my childhood fun.

In 2008, with my own family and a successful career behind me, I revived a latent need to find out about my birth mother. During my search I was dismayed to learn that she had emigrated to Australia in 1973 with her new family.

Along the way, I discovered more about my extended family - including my long desired siblings, their own lives and stories and the circumstances of my adoption.

Writing this book, the first part in my series, took me on such an emotional journey as memories of love and loss were rekindled.