1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? I remember watching the horse-drawn milk carts that were still a feature of the city in the 1960s and waiting for the cuckoo to appear out of the floral clock in Princes Street Gardens.
2 What are your
memories of school? King's Park School in Dalkeith was my first school where I remember my first performance. Four of us pretended to be The Beatles, miming along to Yellow Submarine in front of the class. The song was probably brand new.
3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? At present, The Jam House in Queen Street. There's always a great party atmosphere and a fantastic crowd but the real pleasure is playing with the exceptional guys in the band.
4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? It's a beautiful cosmopolitan multicultural city that offers everything you could wish for – theatres, music venues and cinemas. I also love its history, much of which is preserved and is second to none. The Edinburgh Festival is also something to look forward to.
5 What would you change about the city? Not being a fan of modern buildings, I'd flatten the new eyesores and bring back the historical piles I remember.
6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out. It would involve a picnic in Princes Street Gardens before climbing to the top of Arthur's Seat. A meal in one of Edinburgh's fantastic restaurants would follow before a performance in one of our top theatres, all with the family.
7 Which sports interest you? I don't have a competitive bone in my body I'm afraid, although ladies' beach volleyball looks quite interesting.
8 What was your most embarrassing moment? I was working for the BBC, reviewing a film at the Edinburgh Film Festival, where I sat next to the director after interviewing him about his life's work. I was awakened by the sound of my own snoring near the end of the film, with the director glaring at me. It wasn't Steven Spielberg.
9 What is your greatest achievement? I don't think it's happened yet.
10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Had yer tea?
The full article contains 384 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
