Ten Questions: Jim Divine

Published on Saturday 30 August 2008 11:55

Jim Devine,48, is a member of the Dnipro Appeal Committee, a charity

1 What is your earliest memory of Edinburgh? Getting my toes run over by a taxi in Princes Street aged three as I was too busy munching my crisps.

2 What are your memories of school? I was at St Mary's on York Lane. It was like a little prison with 50/50 split of Italian and Scottish kids. We used to have Scotland v Italy matches on Friday afternoons on Calton Hill, and if I remember correctly Vito Alongi (who owns the Jolly in Leith Walk) was always a bit of a diver!

3 Where is your favourite place in Edinburgh and why? The Pleasance during The Festival. It has boundless energy.

4 What are the best things about Edinburgh? You can feel the sense of history in any part of it, and there is always some cosy corner to hide from the rain!

5 What would you change about the city? The transportation issues have been well documented. I would also make the taxis drive just a wee bit further from the pavement.

6 Describe a perfect Edinburgh day/night out. Wake up next to a beautiful redhead (preferably female), go to the gym, lunch at The Globe in Leith, then off to Easter Road to see the Hibees beat Hearts 8-0, Martin Wishart for dinner and off up town to celebrate.

7 Which sports interest you? Football, golf, running and the little-known maggot wrestling.

8 What was your most embarrassing moment? I have five sisters and four brothers. One evening my dad decided we were all going to go up to Arthur's Seat in his Reliant Robin. Halfway up the hill to St Margaret's Loch the car packed in and the boys had to get out and push. There were a few nice looking girls standing watching.

9 What is your greatest achievement? Still managing to keep the serious side of life away from me at this age.

10 Sum up Edinburgh in three words. Classy, compact and cosy.