Ten Questions: Archie Meikle

Published on Saturday 27 June 2009 11:11

Archie Meikle, 47, is MD of Ashwood Scotland Ltd. He lives in Livingston

1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? As a young boy my dad had an aunt who lived in the Bridges and we used to go and visit.There was so much activity in the town as opposed to Livingston where I grew up, which was a small mining village at that time.

2 What are your memories of school? I attended Blackburn Academy. I was never enthusiastic in the academic sense about school. However, I did thrive and take a great interest in the technical and sports curricula from an early age.

3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? The Museum of Scotland. It is an excellent facility full of interesting and informative topics.

4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? The many diverse and interesting amenities and the lively atmosphere, in particular during the Festival period.

5 What would you change about the city? The transport system, most definitely. I'm not sure the tram system is the answer.

6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out. A relaxing train journey into town in the afternoon, a stroll around the shops, a nice meal and take in a show to complete the day.

7 Which sports interest you? Golf and football.

8 What was your most embarrassing moment? Purchasing a kitchen from IKEA, only to discover when I got to the checkout that my credit card had been cloned and subsequently the transaction was declined with all the goods having to be returned to the shelves.

9 What is your greatest achievement? Having been involved with Ashwood Scotland and watch it grow over the past 10 years and the excellent colleagues that I have had the very good fortune to work with. We have also worked hard to build the Ashwood Scotland Foundation which was set up to help worthwhile causes within the West Lothian area.

10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Vibrant, cosmopolitan, historical.