1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? When I moved from Niddrie to a prefab in Southhouse, I remember walking over the Castlebrae back to the street I was born in to visit my granny and grandad most weeks, and my uncles and aunties who all liv
ed in the same Niddrie Street. Craigmillar Castle was my Edinburgh Castle in my youth.
2 What are your memories of school? I recall vividly St John Vianney's Primary School Annex huts in the grounds of Burdiehouse Primary School, just down the road from my Southhouse prefab.
3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? Many, but my parents' house in Gracemount and Easter Road Stadium, home of the magnificent Hibernian FC. Yes, I'm biased to the extent I was co-ordinator of the Hibs' kids and currently I'm treasurer of the Hibernian former players' association.
4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? My family, the city's heritage, something happening all year round and meeting lots of good, stimulating people.
5 What would you change about the city? I would bring back the five-star Dean Hotel in Clarendon Crescent, the haunt of some true Hibees. We've had many a great match-day party on our visits to Hampden Park over the years.
6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out. Lunch at Vittoria's in Leith Walk, the match at Easter Road, then dinner at Gordon's Trattoria in the Royal Mile. Ideally on to a big band event at some city centre venue.
7 Which sports interest you? Football, golf and boxing – sometimes all at the same time.
8 What was your most embarrassing moment? Falling down a man hole while walking with a client and my foreman. A hugely embarrassing now you see me, now you don't situation.
9 What is your greatest achievement? My three children, my business and my input as a supporter of my beloved football club, Hibernian. People say I'm Hibs daft and, of course, that's true. Life without them is unthinkable.
10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Friendly, beautiful and bustling.
The full article contains 361 words and appears in Edinburgh Evening News newspaper.
