I was born on the 19th November 1966 in Bangour Hospital, the youngest daughter of William and Wilma Robertson.

I have an elder sister, Avril who lives out in France and an elder brother, Graeme who lives here in Bathgate.

I am married with 2 sons. My husband, whom I met in 1987 is Andrew McCusker, a civil engineer. Andrew was brought up in the town of Linlithgow and we married in 1990.

Our sons are Ruaridh and Aidan who both attend Bathgate Academy.

I attended Boghall School from 1971 until 1978 after which I became a pupil at Bathgate Academy.  I left The Academy in 1984 having achieved the position of Head Girl and also having been awarded the Newlands Bursary.

Furthering my education, I went to study at Edinburgh University from 1984 until 1989, graduating in Medicine (MB, ChB).

This included a 3 month elective in Winnipeg, Canada in 1988 studying Paediatrics.

I had post-graduation jobs as a Medical House Officer in Falkirk and then in Dumfries. This progressed to position of Senior House Officer at the Western General Infirmary Edinburgh in the Renal Transplant Unit then medical attachments at Falkirk and Law Hospital, Carluke.

I started my training to become a GP in 1993 and qualified in 1994 (MRCGP).

I worked in The Kingsgate Practice in Bathgate before becoming a GP Partner in Craigshill, Livingston in April 1996 and have remained there to this day, now as a senior partner specialising in diabetes.  This is a challenging practice in a deprived area however I have found it very rewarding and, having been a partner for 15 years, I now know many of the families very well.

Over the last 8 years I have also been a GP trainer and have enjoyed mentoring a new generation of doctors.

I am an elder and have been the Sunday School Superintendent at Bathgate High Church for over 10 years which I have also thoroughly enjoyed.

I have a love of gardening and also play the piano, my stress relief from a busy GP practice.  Another hobby is skiing, which I have been doing for over 20 years. This year I learned how to snowboard – just so I could be hip like the boys!

I do also enjoy tennis which I play badly and use the local gym at Craigshill to try and inspire my patients. However, I am not sure if it’s working for me, let alone them!

In regards to The Procession, I was a Rainbow Girl in 1973 and both boys have been in The Procession in recent years.  The arch is starting to get a little worn out.

This year, Ruaridh is Walter, Lord High Steward and Aidan is Lord Lyon. Perhaps for this year, we should rename it “McCusker” Day Procession?