Interview: Iain Banks, author
Date of birth: 16/02/54
Occupation: Writer.
What sort of school pupil were you? Fairly studious but slightly eccentric.
Were your school days the best days of your life? No. They were good, but now is better.
What was your first job? Catching the ropes of Clyde steamers on Gourock pier.
What has been your most unusual job? Expediter Analyser - just IBM-speak for clerk.
My biggest achievement so far has been... Getting/staying published.
My worst moment ever was... Moments plural; losing loved family and friends.
Three words that sum up my personality are... Umm... err... indecisive?
Favourite place in the world? Home. Otherwise Venice, with Paris and Barra tying for third.
Three places in Edinburgh you could not live without? The Old Town. The New Town. Omar Khayam.
Who is your best friend? My smashing girlfriend, Adle.
What one TV show do you never miss? Burnistoun.
If you could bring one event to Edinburgh what would it be? The Olympics! (Just kidding.)
By what ethos do you live your life? Never bet on lower than a pair of tens.
Iain Banks will be signing copies of his latest Culture novel, Surface Detail at Waterstone's West End, 9 June, 12.30pm-1.30pm, 0131-226 2666
Surface Detail by Iain M. Banks is published in paperback by Orbit, 8.99
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Weather for Edinburgh
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 23 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 9 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
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