A Wishaw mum has been reunited with her son after he spent 40 years on the opposite side of the world.

William Campbell, 61, emigrated from Scotland to New Zealand in search of a better life when he was 20.

Now four decades on he has made the long journey back to see his beloved mother Catherine and his siblings Catherine, Colin, Gordon and Mary.

William, who travelled more than 11,000 miles to visit his hometown with his backpacking daughter Chelsey, said: “I decided to come now because time is catching up on me and I’m not getting any younger. I was quite apprehensive beforehand and it wasn’t until I arrived at the airport and I saw my brother and sister had a ‘welcome home’ sign that it really sank in.

 “The biggest thing about coming home is getting to see my family again, especially my mum.

“I wouldn’t have cared if it had been 100 hours in the air, I am just so pleased to be here and see them all.”

It was an emotional reunion for mum Catherine.

She said: “It has been really good to see him. The tears were running down my cheeks when I saw him again. It has been quite emotional.

“He went away when I was in my 40s and now I’m in my 80s. He’d asked me to go over to see him many times and even offered to pay my fare but I wouldn’t go.

“My husband died when the children were young and I wouldn’t go that far by myself.”

William, a building safety inspector from Auckland, said: “I decided I was going to move when I was 20 and I thought Canada would be too cold and Australia would be too cosmopolitan, so I opted for New Zealand.

“The quality of life out there is exceptional compared to here but some parts remind me of Scotland.

“I’d never come back to Wishaw to stay. I’d forgotten how cold it gets here. When I left Auckland it was 23 degrees, and it’s Autumn there. “

And although he is only home for a week, William kept his schedule clear for some quality family time.

He added: “The plan was just to spend as much time as I could with the family, and I wanted to see Edinburgh and my old stomping ground in Netherton. I didn’t realise just how much I’ve missed everyone until I saw them again.

“I’m hoping my visit might encourage some of the family to come out and visit me now.”

Colin Campbell, William’s younger brother, said: “ It’s a bit sad we’ve left such a long time before getting together but my wife is already planning a trip to New Zealand.

“I’ve never been in a plane, but we are going to try to get out there in a couple of years.”

And although time has marched on, it’s just like old times in the Campbell house.

Mary Campbell, William’s younger sister, said: “Since we got him off the plane it has felt like he’s never been away.”

His sister Catherine Swanson added: “He hasn’t changed, he’s still as witty as ever.”

Younger brother Gordon Campbell added: “We lost our father when we were very young and we have always looked up to William. He was like a father to us so it has been great to see him again.”

By Maria Smith

Source: wishawpress.co.uk