1: What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh?
I remember coming to visit my granny in Trinity. She still lives here and recently celebrated her 96th birthday.

2: What are your memories of school?
I went to a tiny rural primary school on the Perthshire/Angus border. There were about 18 of us in the whole school. Later I was at boarding school. I was in lots of sports teams and music groups but never particularly good at any of them.

I was described by my history teacher as the laziest pupil he had ever had and I was always more into newspapers than textbooks.

3: What is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why?
I love the Radical Road – the path beneath the Crags. It has fantastic views over the city and one of the best views of the Parliament.

4: What are the best things about Edinburgh?
I love the amazing architecture, the beautiful views and the youthful, vibrant, international nature of the city.

5: What would you change about the city?
I'd introduce a congestion charge, pedestrianise George IV Bridge and expand the new tram network. I'd also invest in decent council housing.

6: Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out?
I'd enjoy dinner with my flatmates and others, followed by a couple of pints before going dancing with my girlfriend.

7: Which sports interest you?
I damaged my knees a few years ago so can't play as much as I used to but there's nothing like kicking a football around in the Meadows.

8: What was your most embarrassing moment?
I was aged 12, on a school trip and climbing high on an aerial course. I had my legs spread wide between two poles and was sixty feet above my classmates. Screams of horror from below reminded me that I had no underwear on and a large hole in the crotch of my trousers.

9: What is your greatest achievement?
It was walking the Appalachian Trail alone when I was 18. The trail runs 2200 miles from Georgia to Maine, up the east coast of the US. I had close encounters with a rattlesnake, a black bear, lightning and a waterfall.

10: Sum up Edinburgh in three words.
Young, vibrant, progressive.