When I was seven ...

We lived in a cottage on a country estate near Cupar, Angus, and I could always be found in the garden with my dad, who was the gardener. I remember running about in my shorts, digging in the garden and climbing trees.

My dad would tell amazing stories – all from his imagination. One was about a baker called Mr Bun who made magic cakes. If you happened to make a wish when you took a bite, it would come true.

He would hide Opal Fruits in the greenhouses and I would go looking for them, believing fairies had left them.

The first time my heart was broken ...

I was seven and my best friend Gary Harrison moved away. We had known each other since we were toddlers and went everywhere together. I have always wondered what happened to him.

The wisest thing my grandmother told me ...

Always be true to yourself.

The biggest adversity I have overcome ...

I have bunions so probably having to get my bare feet out on screen.

My motto for life ...

"Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a song bird will come." It's from a little book of Eastern wisdom I carry about everywhere with me.

My soul mate is ...

My partner Kenny. We have been together for 14 years. He is so special, kind and handsome and has always been there for me. I love him to bits.

Not many people know that ...

I've been arachnophobic since I was two or three. My sister was in the top bunk in our bedroom and there was a spider on the ceiling. It suddenly dropped on to her face and she flipped out. I got upset too and was screaming and crying. The fear has got worse as I've got older.

The most inspiring book I've read was ...

The Horrific Sufferings Of The Mind-Reading Monster Hercules Barefoot: His Wonderful Love and Terrible Hatred by Carl-Johan Vallgren. It's about two children born at the same time in 1813. One is a beautiful woman and the other a deformed monster that people can barely look at. It's an amazing and strange book that has always stuck with me.

If ever I feel lonely I ...

Get a cuddle from my daughter, Molly, eight, and Kenny.

What I look for in a friend is ...

Kindness, someone I can talk to easily and who understands how bonkers I am.

The first person I ring when I'm upset is ...

Kenny. He is always good in a crisis.

I believe the secret to a strong relationship is ...

Compromise, always remembering why you fell in love in the first place and making time to listen to the other person.

Something I wish I'd done earlier ...

Learned to play a musical instrument. My dad played the accordion as does my sister. I had lessons when I was six, but we couldn't afford a child's accordion and I was too small to see over the top of the normal one. I got sent home and cried all the way.

My childhood hero was ...

My mum and dad were both wonderful. There are no other actors in my family, but my dad was a dramatic guy. He told great stories and had such a fantastic imagination. When I decided I wanted to do acting, they were both so supportive of me, and told me to follow my dreams.

The place I most like to call home ...

Wherever Kenny and Molly are.

Kate Dickie stars in Stronger, directed by Peter Mackie Burns, which has its world premiere in Glasgow tonight. Tickets are free. For information, visit www.facebook.com/strongerfilm