Ten Questions: Gilly Macpherson

Published on Thursday 16 July 2009 09:54

Gilly Macpherson, 36, of the New Town, is owner of Urban Angel in Hanover Street and Forth Street

1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? Watching the Penguin Parade at the Zoo when I was six years old. We were on holiday here from the north coast of Scotland, where I grew up.

2 What are your memories of school? I went to Thurso High School, then boarded at George Watson's. I loved my schooldays and all my memories are of fun times. My best friends today are still those from school.

3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? With two restaurants in Edinburgh, I'm working in the city centre most of the time, so whenever I get the chance I love to climb up Arthur's Seat. I know of no other city where you can hike up a big hill right in the middle of town.

4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? We've got so many world-class festivals.

5 What would you change about the city? If I could, I'd move forward the development of the trams to the date when it's all up and running and we've forgotten what it was like before.

6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out My perfect Edinburgh day out would be a Saturday morning at the Farmer's Market, where my partner and I would enjoy our usual potter around the stalls, picking up food for the weekend. We would then have a hearty brunch at Urban Angel – my favourite is eggs Benedict. In the afternoon, I would have a wander round some galleries or go shopping in some of the lovely independent clothes shops of the Old Town, such as Totty Rocks. Then we would have an early dinner round the kitchen table with friends, before heading out for cocktails at Bramble.

7 Which sports interest you? I don't get the chance to do as much of it as I would like, but I love skiing, especially in Courchevel.

8 What was your most embarrassing moment? Running out of peppermint tea, just when Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters ordered a cup for his Mum. When you get a visit from rock and roll royalty you want everything to be perfect!

9 What is your greatest achievement? Creating an ethical business with integrity, which works.

10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Vibrant festival city.