Ten Questions: Paul Bruce

Published on Tuesday 9 June 2009 10:06

Paul Bruce, 45, is co-ordinator of the Leith Short Film Festival at the Duncan Place Resource Centre. He lives in Musselburgh.

1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? I was brought up in Fife and my mum and dad used to take me to Edinburgh fairly frequently, so I remember looking out the car window on the Forth Road Bridge, through the railings at the river below, then arriving at the city and the excitement of seeing the Castle Rock never changed no matter how many times I saw it.

2 What are your memories of school? I went to Forfar Academy. It was a proper Scottish secondary school (blazers and ties for all boys) although some of the teachers wore mortar boards and soaked their tawses in vinegar! There was also a terrifying dinner lady who looked a bit like the witch Fenella from Chorlton & the Wheelies! I remember selling copies of my friend's punk fanzine from behind the bike sheds and getting caught with 100 of these and a pocket bulging with 10p pieces.

3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? Newhaven harbour for the views at sunset, although I also love strolling round the old town, browsing the second-hand bookshops and searching the cafes, looking for the perfect cheesecake.

4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? Edinburgh is stunning and it's also very friendly, the people are very welcoming.

5 What would you change about the city? I would ban the building of any more bland modern hotels and save the Odeon.

6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out. Cycling along the cycle paths to Musselburgh on a gorgeous summer evening and eating ice cream sundaes!

7 Which sports interest you? I enjoy the Ryder Cup and football, as well as cycling and playing dominoes, and does Buckaroo count as a sport?

8 What was your most embarrassing moment? There have been many. A typical example was when I was unwell one day and was suddenly and unexpectedly physically sick into the nearest thing to hand – a plastic bag that turned out to be full of my friend's still-wrapped birthday presents!

9 What is your greatest achievement? Owning a toilet with an outside window! My dad always said it's how to measure success in Edinburgh.

10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Bijou but beautiful.