Lorraine Kelly, the Glasgow-born broadcaster, continues to maintain strong ties to Scotland through her travels and writing, frequently drawing inspiration from her native country. At 66, Kelly often journeys with her husband, cameraman Steve Smith, exploring diverse locations while discovering connections to Scottish heritage abroad. During recent trips to southern Africa, including Zimbabwe and Namibia, the couple encountered remnants of Scottish and Orcadian diasporas, tracing back families who had emigrated from Orkney and other parts of Scotland.
Kelly has a particular affection for the Orkney archipelago off Scotland’s northern coast, a place she has visited annually since 1985, with the exception of the COVID-19 pandemic years. Her initial visit was as a reporter covering the record-holder for the world’s shortest scheduled flight, which takes less than a minute. Over time she developed an appreciation for the islands’ culture, history, and unique environment, describing the experience as rejuvenating.
After beginning her journalism career at the East Kilbride News and later joining BBC Scotland and TV-am, Kelly expanded her profile as a presenter on Good Morning Britain before launching her own show. Changes in the ITV schedule have recently reduced her on-air commitments to 30 weeks a year with shorter 30-minute episodes, which she credits with giving her more time to pursue writing.
Kelly ventured into fiction with her debut novel, *The Island Swimmer*, published in 2024, set on Orkney. This June, she released a sequel titled *The Island Secret*, continuing the story of Evie, a woman reintegrating into island life after years away. The narrative explores Evie’s complex relationships and is disrupted by the arrival of a mysterious American relative, Amelia. Kelly described the writing process for the sequel as both challenging and easier, benefiting from the experience gained from her first book and support from established authors like Marian Keyes.
A significant character in Kelly’s novels is Freya, a trans woman celebrating her 80th birthday in the sequel. Kelly emphasized that Freya’s gender identity is just one facet of her character, and the story addresses issues of intolerance, including online harassment faced by trans individuals. Kelly noted the importance of respect and tolerance, both on her television programs and in broader society.
In her personal life, Kelly recently became a grandmother with the birth of granddaughter Billie in 2024. Billie is the daughter of Kelly’s daughter, Rosie Kelly Smith, who published her debut novel, *Mother To Mother*, earlier this year. The family, based in Buckinghamshire, plans to visit Orkney this summer, where Kelly said she will balance her roles as babysitter, broadcaster, and author.
Kelly also expressed optimism about national unity through football, supporting Scotland during the World Cup and welcoming the sense of togetherness that sports can foster amid broader societal divisions.