Ten Questions: Claire Shelley

Published on Monday 4 August 2008 10:56

Claire Shelley, 32, is the media manager for Christian Aid Scotland. She lives in Stockbridge.

1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? I remember running through the daffodils in Princes Street Gardens on an Easter weekend visit to see friends a few years ago before I moved up from London.

2 What are your memories of school? I went to Pickhurst Primary and Langley Park Girls' School in West Wickham, Kent and I remember never quite managing to finish writing a story during the time allocated in lessons. Thankfully I have now mastered the art of deadlines.

3 What is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? I love Inverleith Park because of the beautiful view back to the Castle and the great afternoon tea available from the Botanics coffee house over the road.

4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? The closeness of everything, the history and the emerging sphere of international influence are all positive aspects. I also enjoy the wonderful madness that descends during the Festival.

5 What would you change about the city? Restaurants that only have tables at either 6 or 9pm would become more flexible and buses would stop being diverted while the tram is built. There would be less wind and a lot more sun.

6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out? I would enjoy an early morning walk to Stockbridge to buy local produce. I'd then take a drive to the Pentlands to walk off breakfast, visit the races at Musselburgh before heading back to George Street for a glass of wine before heading into New Town for dinner.

7 Which sports interest you? I love going running along the Water of Leith. A few of us from work ran the 10k at the Great Edinburgh Run in May.

8 What was your most embarrassing moment? It was breaking a shoe heal on the cobbles of the New Town on the way to a meeting.

9 What is your greatest achievement? It has to be completing Christian Aid's Cut the Carbon walk through Scotland last summer. I was among 20 people walking all the way from Troon to the border at Norham to raise awareness of climate change.

10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Historic, neat, friendly