This year, however, it has been bullseyes all round.

So much so, Linda has not only hit the double-top spot, but has also done the treble, by emerging a three-times-crowned Scottish champion, as well as representing her country.

The Scottish singles, the Scottish masters and the Scottish pairs titles have all darted her way in 2008. This is, indeed, an outstanding and remarkable feat.

Apart from this, Linda has thrown herself into the record books as the first female player to have won the three coveted crowns in the one year.

Linda first became interested in darts through her parents.

She told TheSouthern: "My mother and father both played for a team in the Hawick league. They had a dartboard in the house and they used to practice on it.

"I was about 14 and would join in with them, never thinking that one day I would ever play seriously. When I got a bit older, I decided to give it a try, but it was more for a laugh than anything else.

"I joined the pub team and we had some very good players, such as my mother Sheena, Dot Richardson, Mary Tofts, and Nina Haddock.

Darts were really big in Hawick then and most of the pubs, hotels and clubs had teams. A few of them – the Farmers Rest, the Marina and the Crown Hotel – are no more, but in those times, they were all part of a very strong league.

"Pearl Leithead was the best of the lady players. She was brilliant, and I always wanted to be like her."

Linda had no dreams of darting greatness, and had no idea of the honours that would come in the years ahead.

She said: "I won a few things locally, but never thought of doing anything at an international level.

"In fact, when I played Eric Bristow in an exhibition match in the Hawick Liberal Club, I felt that would be my only claim to any sort of fame.

"He was a big star, turning out against local players and, of course, winning. Before he played me, he met another Hawick lady player and started to show off by getting down on his knees to throw the darts.

"I suppose it was more luck than anything else, but when it came my turn I managed to beat him. He was very embarrassed and I was really chuffed."

Much more glory has, however, come Linda's way since taking the scalp of the Crafty Cockney.

Apart from turning out in the Hawick league, she played for the town in the super league. Travelling all over the Borders to play teams from other towns, Linda faced opposition of a higher standard – something she definitely benefited from.

Nowadays, Linda represents Kelso in the super league as well as being in the Drumlanrig Bar team on the Hawick scene.

In between all this, Linda got married and has two grown-up daughters – Laura and Sara – but still managed to find time to play darts.

It is in latter years that Linda has hit the high spots at the top level, though, and she told us: "I have done OK over the years, but this one has been just fantastic.