10 YEARS ago Amy MacDonald sang ”this is the life”, little knowing that music would become her own life.

The Bishopbriggs songstress is capping off 2017 with a new festive single and two dates at the Barrowland this weekend, after a year that saw her mark a decade in the music business.

That’s something that she is still wrapping her head around.

“It felt like a momentous occasion to reach,” reflects the typically chatty singer.

“It was nice to be out there touring, because back then I never thought I’d even release an album, and even after the first one I never thought anything else would happen after that. So the fact that 10 years later I was on album four and touring around Europe doing these huge outdoor shows, it just made me feel so proud.”

Amy reckons she’s learned a few lessons along the way.

“I’ve learned to always value your own opinion more than anyone else,” she laughs.

“There were times starting out when I thought everyone knew better than me. With This Is The Life people said they didn’t think it was a single, and it made me laugh when it came out and became this massive hit. I’ve realised to not let anyone sway you.”

She’s now set for life financially, but there seems no doubt Amy’s main happiness comes from her success enabling her to make more music.

Earlier this year she released her fourth album Under Stars, while she’s now releasing a festive tune called This Christmas Day, aimed at raising funds for Alzheimer’s Scotland.

The song is a poignant one, inspired by her memories of her gran, who passed away after suffering from Alzheimer’s.

“I’ve always been someone that loves classic Christmas songs, so it’s been something I’ve always fancied doing,” she explains.

“But people get so caught up in the festivities that they forget it can be a hard time for so many people, especially if they have lost someone. I wanted to write something with a bit more depth to it, that wasn’t just ‘oh, it’s Christmas’ and I drew on my own experiences with my nana.

“My family was trying to pretend that Christmas was the same as it always was, and it wasn’t, and that’s the horrible thing about Alzheimer’s.”

However although the topic is an emotional one, the singer’s love of a good Christmas tune shines through as well.

“I’ve always loved Fairytale of New York,” she enthuses.

“I was lucky enough to perform it with Kirsty MacColl’s old band a few years ago, at a tribute concert. I was meant to be performing it with Shane McGowan, but he didn’t turn up. I don’t think anyone was too surprised by that…

“That’s one of my favourites, and when I was younger I was obsessed with Wizzard’s I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day. Even when I hear it now it brings a great big smile to my face.”

Amy might be loved in Scotland (tickets for her Barrowland double header were snapped up instantly) but she’s a popular export too, topping the charts in the likes of Germany, Switzerland and Austria.

This year’s Under Stars, a typically punchy collection, was another hit. However the singer’s European tour has been different from before, with discussion dominated by Brexit. Amy was a strong Remain supporter, and has been dismayed at recent events.

“The good thing about being Scottish is that wherever I go people know that Scotland didn’t vote for this,” she says.

“I’ve had so many people ask me about it on tour – it’s a complete embarrassment for Britain. You read some of the papers and there’s so much ridiculous stuff about Europe, but the people I’ve spoken to there are quite sad. They don’t see why Britain doesn’t want to be part of this project, so there’s a sadness and regrets about it.”

If Brexit dominates the headlines, so too does the current wave of sexual harassment allegations in the entertainment business. Like many other female performers, it’s something the 30-year-old has encountered.

“There have been situations where I haven’t felt comfortable, but I felt like I wasn’t able to say anything about it because it was some big shot and I didn’t want to cause a scene or embarrass everybody,” she says.

“You thought it was normal. Thankfully I think people are now feeling that they can speak out more and say that something is wrong.”

Amy MacDonald, Barrowland, Friday and Saturday, sold out, 7pm.