THE photograph is black and white, a little grainy, but the joy on the faces of the fans is clear enough.

“It was the late 80s, a Radio Clyde festival at Kelvingrove bandstand, our last gig in Glasgow before we left for London to record our album,” recalls singer-songwriter Horse, with a grin.

“I can still remember this massive crowd of people, holding up their 12 inch single versions of our first record, You Could Be Forgiven. It was a moment in time, something I’ll never forget.”

Glasgow has a starring role in Horse McDonald’s story, which has been turned into a stage play, Careful, by comedian and writer Lynn Ferguson and director Maggie Kinloch.

She has lived in Garnethill for years, and has fond memories of the Barrowland, where she was the first act to perform with an orchestra; of supporting Culture Club at Rooftops in Sauchiehall Street in 1982; of the University Café on Byres Road and Glasgow Women’s Library, which she has supported since it too, ‘lived’ in Garnethill.

“Everyone said to me, when things were taking off for me – why don’t you move to London, life would be amazing, everything would happen for you….” she says. “But Glasgow WAS my London.

“Glasgow was the big city for me, growing up in 1970s Lanark.

“In the late 80s, early 90s, there was such a rich seam of Scottish musical talent, and so many great venues in the city. It was just a fantastic place to be at that time.

“But music is such a part of all of our lives, it forms the backdrop to our experiences. To think I might have been part of that backdrop for some people, that my music might have been crucial in some people’s lives, is quite something.”

Horse has a voice like no other and a compelling story perfect for theatre.

It’s a tale of survival, which begins with heartless homophobia in Lanark and encompasses everything from massive chart success – she has released nine albums and has toured with Tina Turner, BB King and Bryan Ferry – to poignant family tales; from childhood trauma to her championing of LGBT rights.

First performed in 2016 at the Edinburgh Festival, Careful is now touring all over Scotland.

It’s not a gig, of course, though she does sing ‘a bit’, and it’s very frank and emotional – not least of all for Horse.

“I have mixed feelings up there,” she smiles. “You kind of forget how much time has passed, when you look back – you forget you are ageing.

“I remember when my mum was 82 and dying, sitting beside her in the hospital and listening to her talk about ‘that old woman’ in the bed opposite.”

She adds: “My mum just didn’t think of herself as old – and nor do I. I’ve had a lucky and blessed life. Not all of it has been pleasant or nice but that’s all just part of who I am.

“You don’t think about that when you’re growing up but as I get older I realise you don’t really appreciate what you have until you don’t have it any more.”

She smiles: “My dad used to quote Oscar Wilde all the time – ‘youth is wasted on the young’ – and I think he’s probably right….”

Horse’s parents Dugald and Vicky are a constant presence throughout Careful – both died in recent years but their photograph sits on a table as part of the set, and their love for their daughter during her darkest days comes through in the storytelling.

The seeds of the play were sown during a conversation between Horse and her wife Alanna, whom she married in 2013.

“She said I should write a book or do a play, and I remember saying – oh, God – me, acting? No way,” laughs Horse.

“But it just seemed to take on a life of its own. I’d known Lynn for a long time, and she was fantastic, teaching me how to tell my story.

“She’s in Los Angeles, and I’m in Glasgow, so we Skyped for hours….”

Being on stage on her own, however, was a challenge for Horse.

“Acting is almost the antithesis of singing,” she says. “It’s all about stillness. And I move about a LOT when I am on stage. At one point, I was saying the lines with Maggie holding on to my ankles to keep me in the one spot.

“It has been a long, challenging journey, and it’s hard, not just for me but for the audience too, because it’s real life and lots of people can relate to what I’m talking about.

“But hopefully it’s uplifting too. It’s really about someone who is desperate to be loved, trying to find themselves and that’s a very human thing.”

The tour finishes in May in Glasgow, then Horse will head to London for an exciting residency with David McAlmont.

“It’s called Dusty v Shirley, and I’m VERY excited about it,” she smiles. “To work with David is outstanding – I can’t wait.

“The band will be touring at the end of the year – it will be a relief not to be on the stage on my own any more – and we have Big Plans for 2018.”

She won’t say much more, but with a ‘big birthday’ coming up, and the 25th anniversary of her album God’s Home Movie on the horizon, it looks like being something truly special for Horse fans, including a UK tour and a new release.

She continues to be a vocal supporter of LGBT rights – recently, she was named a Woman of the Year by the Saltire Society and Glasgow Women’s Library – and she is hopeful for change.

“The world is a strange place right now and we all need to take a little bit more care of each other,” she nods.

“I grew up during a massive time of change in gender politics – in politics as a whole, and what I would say is ultimately, it does get better. It got better for me, it will get better for most people.

“As long as people do things for good, not greed, it will be okay.”

She was proud to perform at the Evening Times Scotswoman of the Year dinner in February.

“I was honoured to be asked, it was a wonderful night,” she says.

“I have been to a few awards dinenrs and sometimes, you can find yourself surrounded by people who are not all that genuine,” she says, wryly.

“But at SWOTY, you are surrounded by amazing people who care enough to make change happen, who want to make a difference, and that is fantastic.”

Careful is at the Beacon Arts Centre in Greenock on April 8, Motherwell Concert Hall on April 9, Paisley Arts Centre on April 28, The Gaiety in Ayr on May 13, and the Tron in Glasgow on May 26 and 27. Call venues for details or visit www.horsemcdonald.com