25 most eligible men in Scotland 2011

• Grant's design skills have won him many admirers

After living and working between five different countries and several different industries, in 2005 Grant embraced his love of fashion and craftsmanship, taking over Savile Row tailor Norton & Sons.

By 2009 he had relaunched the historic British sporting and military tailoring house of E Tautz as a men's ready-to-wear collection, and collaborated and consulted with House of Holland, Christopher Kane, Rag & Bone and The Kooples. In 2010, he won the British Fashion Council's Menswear Designer of the Year award for his work with E Tautz, as well as making the shortlist for the British Fashion Council/Vogue Fund, the biggest prize in British fashion. A man about town, when he's not appearing in best-dressed lists, Patrick can be found cycling from his East London home to Savile Row.

Dream date? Take a small boat to a quiet beach somewhere in the Hebrides, catch some fish and cook them on a driftwood fire, then wash it down with some nice cans of lager.

Turn on? Interesting brain and a liking for camping.

Turn off? Fussiness.

Greatest achievement? Five years ago I sold everything I owned and bought a bankrupt 200-year-old Savile Row tailor which I've slowly nursed back to health. Last year I won Menswear Designer of the Year at the British Fashion Awards. I was delighted and shocked in equal measure.

Single and celebrating? Not sure celebrating quite describes it, but it certainly doesn't feel like commiserating.

2 Richard Laing, 27

Jeweller

This Edinburgh-based businessman has plenty of sparkle, in no small part because he is the scion of Scottish institution Laing the Jewellers. Growing up at the bottom of the Pentland Hills in Edinburgh, Richard says he could not be more proud to be the sixth generation of 'Scotland's oldest family business', and continuing the stores' 170-year legacy.

From an early age, Richard was on the shop floor gift-wrapping and making coffees before learning the ways of the workshop and the finer details about diamonds, jewellery and watches. When he's not helping Edinburgh's finest with their accessories, he enjoys catching up with friends and family, going to the cinema, watching the rugby, travelling and scuba diving – he's even learning guitar and Thai cooking.

Dream date? A romantic candle-lit dinner in a nice restaurant.

Turn on? Positive, honest, caring, passionate women with a good sense of humour and dreams and aspirations.

Turn off? Negative, judgmental, self-centred people.

Greatest achievement? Winning the Scottish Schools Rugby Cup Final at Murrayfield Stadium in 2001 for Merchiston 1st XV against Watson's.

Single and celebrating? Enjoying life.

3 Graeme Morrison, 28

Rugby player, Scotland and Glasgow Warriors

Recently back from a Las Vegas trip with the boys, this rugby centre and national team player is already back on the pitch for pre-training. Brought up in Hong Kong, he moved to Scotland for boarding school as a young boy. Inspired by his dad, who had played rugby for the Scotland B team, he was quickly given the opportunity to hone his love of the game. Off the pitch he is developing a nice bachelor pad for himself, and enjoying taking up golf again.

Dream date? Something simple and not fussy, with some fine dining and lot of laughs.

Turn on? Nice eyes and a good sense of humour.

Turn off? Someone who uses text speak. I particularly hate the use of 'lol'.

Greatest achievement? I always dreamed of playing for Scotland and whenever I get the chance to wear the jersey I consider that an amazing achievement.

Single and celebrating? I am indeed.

4 Omar Bhatia, 25

Artist

This well-travelled newcomer on the Scottish art scene was born in Inverness before a childhood that would find him in Africa, Canada and Romania. He's honed his craft with age and his work often speaks to his memories and experiences of growing up around nature reserves and the countryside.

An avid thinker, Omar's degree at Dundee was in philosophy, art and contemporary practices. He would like to find the time and money to visit such far-flung destinations as India, Ethiopia and America in the years to come. His artistic heroes include Alasdair Gray and Peter Howson. When Omar's not putting brush to canvas he's modelling, while in his spare time he can be found hanging out with his DJ friends on the Glasgow scene and indulging in his current favourite sound, Balkan music.

Dream date? A nice restaurant works for me.

Turn on? A sense of humour would probably be the most important.

Turn off? I'd say ignorance.

Greatest achievement? They say that with art school only one in every 100 make it in a career as an artist. I've managed it for two years so far and feel pretty proud of that.

Single and celebrating? Yes, I'm a lone wolf.

5 Scott Gemmell, 32

Mixologist and managing director, LA Group

The son of a publican, Scott was inspired to take up the trade from an early age, watching his father run his bar-cum-restaurant and club in Kilmacolm near Glasgow. From the age of 11, he admits he was already fascinated by everything from the running of the bar to the finer points of fine dining.

By 18, he was helping run a restaurant, then a bar, where he noticed the trend for drinks companies using bar tenders to personify their drink. An idea was set in motion and, almost 15 years later, he heads up LA Group, one of the UK's leading bar agencies, event companies, training providers and specialist drinks wholesalers.

From fashion expos in Bordeaux and Rumfest in London to the Scottish Fashion Awards in Glasgow earlier this month, Scott has become a regular face on the entertainment scene. Never one to sit idle, he continues to grow and nurture the business, showing particular pride in the company's LA Academy, Scotland's first dedicated bar tending training school, which launched last year.

Dream date? Somewhere in the north of Scotland on a nice sunny day, maybe take a nice picnic and sit by a loch somewhere.

Turn on? Eyes.

Turn off? Materialism.

Greatest achievement? It would probably be starting up the LA Academy; it was part of a daydream of something truly great that we could create. We wanted a place for all different sorts of people to come and get together, and we've achieved that.

Single and celebrating? Yes.

6 Iain Stirling, 44

Chief Executive, Native Agency Group

Head honcho of a leading creative marketing company he may be, but this self-confessed 'son of the soil' is very much a family man. Born in Arbroath to a farming dynasty, Iain is one of five brothers and a sister.

Now heading up a global operation with his brothers, he helps companies grow their brand and effectively connect with their market, working with clients from all over the world. With one brother in Dubai and another in New York, Iain enjoys mixing the joys of travel with trips to see them – all the while expanding the business they love.

In his spare time he can be found playing tennis, golf or rugby, or indulging his love of music, with a collection that features everything from opera to rap.

Dream date? Being with someone who has good family values, is worldly wise and intelligent. I love to learn.

Turn on? Someone who is confident in who they are.

Turn off? I don't do false or someone who is not relaxed in themselves

Greatest achievement? Successfully working with my family. What we've built has been very challenging but incredibly rewarding. I also really enjoy the charitable work I do.

Single and celebrating? I enjoy being single but it's nice being with someone.

7 Mark Hogarth, 35

Creative director, Harris Tweed Hebrides

This model-turned-fashion-forward label director certainly knows how to make an impact both on the catwalk and off it. Growing up on a farm outside Ardrossan in Ayrshire, Mark was initially tempted by the world of politics, studying the subject at Strathclyde University.

Fate though – and some rather dashing looks – would take him off course and propel him on to the London fashion scene as a young model. His first year found him travelling all over the world, and by year two he was booked by Vivienne Westwood. Never fully satisfied with his lot, Mark was always inquisitive, keen to take a more hands-on approach to the world of fashion, a dream realised in recent years when he stepped up as a creative director at Harris Tweed Hebrides.

Wanting to strike a chord with the fashion world, he has been largely credited with helping adapt the Harris Tweed brand for the 21st century, and recently won Scottish Textile Brand of the Year 2011 at the Scottish Fashion Awards. In what little spare time he has, Mark enjoys travelling, socialising with friends and heading 'home' to the Ardrossan farm his brother now owns.

Dream date? A dream date is that relaxing feeling that you like someone and they like you back.

Turn on? A lot of my girlfriends have been models and ballet dancers; that can sound shallow but personality has got to be there too. I couldn't just be with someone for aesthetic purposes.

Turn off? I would say people that are dour; people that sap energy from you by being needy.

Greatest achievement? I think I've never embarrassed myself or my family; that's quite an achievement. It also feels good to have made the transition from modelling to what I'm doing now.

Single and celebrating? I'm not ready to start panic-buying yet.

8 Ross MacRae, 22

Secretary, Labour Students UK

Hailed by some as one of the 'Generation Next' of Scottish politics, this Clarkston-born politico works hard inspiring eager young minds. Originally trained as a teacher, Ross now heads up the student wing of the Labour Party across the UK.

Scotland-based eligibles will do well to catch him before he heads to London in the coming months, keen to embrace the fast pace of politics and make a difference. A Motherwell football fan, when he's not indulging his political interests he can be found enjoying the footy, while his musical tastes include heavy metal. Currently unsure as to whether his future lies in politics, Ross has his sights set on perhaps working for an educational charity in the fullness of time.

Dream date? I once went on a great date to a Champions League game but, failing that, going out for a good steak would be nice.

Turn on? Intelligence; I like being beaten in an argument.

Turn off? Apathetic people with a passion for nothing.

Greatest achievement? Helping Scottish Labour students campaign across the UK. It felt good to bring young, politically minded people together. I also really loved a placement I did in a nursery.

Admittedly I was just a human climbing frame and read a lot of The Gruffalo for four weeks but it was incredibly rewarding.

Single and celebrating? I'm open to see what will happen.

9 Ally McCrae, 23

Presenter, Radio 1

That Ally McCrae makes a living from talent spotting is perhaps little surprise to those familiar with his affable charms. Growing up in Glasgow, in what he concedes was a "very musical family", Ally's love of music was fuelled by a father in a ceilidh band, a brother who went to the RSAMD and a mother who played violin.

By 12, he was playing the drums and attending his first ever gig (though he admits he had to sneak out of the house to get there). Having spent many of his teen years hanging out watching gigs at the Barrowlands, he was bitten by the radio bug at Stirling University, where he became involved in student radio.

His big break came post-university when BBC Radio 1 offered him his own show: Introducing ... in Scotland every Sunday, showcasing the best new undiscovered and unsigned acts under the radar in Scotland. Ally also works as co-creator of Detour Scotland, which gives unsigned bands the chance to gig in unlikely locations.

Dream date? Spending it with someone who is very down-to-earth and driven and someone who doesn't mind telling me to shut up. I find that helps sometimes.

Turn on? Someone who makes me laugh, and someone with determination and who is open to adventures.

Turn off? Someone who continually moans or cares more about the opinions of others than their own and, most importantly, someone who doesn't push themselves.

Greatest achievement? Being offered the Radio 1 job still blows my mind, but seeing people grow a passion for music and radio while running Detour and when I ran the student radio makes me a proud boy.

Single and celebrating? Yip, I have a lot of fun. I don't think 23 is quite when I see myself settling down.

10 Callum Casserly, 23

Model and mechanic

It's a certain kind of man who makes a living out of his looks but isn't afraid of getting his hands dirty. Something of a multi-tasker, Callum began his professional life, following a degree in mechanical engineering, with a job at Mercedes Benz. Keen to make his own mark, he saw a gap in the market and, aged just 19, applied with his brother for a business loan to open a garage in their native Larkhall.

Four years later, Callum splits his time between that and modelling gigs around the world, as part of Glasgow's The Model Team. He may say that "he grew into his looks" but he's certainly making up for lost time now, strutting his stuff for suit companies in Beverly Hills and New York, and recently taking to the catwalk for LA Fashion Week; all the while remaining hands-on with his garage business, Larkhall Tyre and Exhaust Centre. When he's not embracing carburettors and catwalks, he can be found racing motorbikes as a hobby.

Dream date? Jumping on a plane and heading off somewhere nice for a couple of days.

Turn on? A confident girl.

Turn off? Shy, unfriendly; I know a lot of people all round the world now, so it would be nice if she could embrace that.

Greatest achievement? Making the garage work and really making it a success, and being able to buy my own home already. That felt like a pretty great achievement.

Single and celebrating? Yes, definitely.

11 Gordon Skene, 26

Keyboardist, Frightened Rabbit

There is much to like about this cheery chappy and regular face on Scotland's eclectic music scene. As guitarist and keyboard player for Scottish indie rock band Frightened Rabbit, Gordon is just back from wooing RockNess and a writing trip to Kingussie, as the band work on tracks for their new album. Growing up in Fort William, he admits a career in music was on the cards from a young age, with his mother teaching him piano and cello and encouraging him on the guitar as a young boy. With ample talents to choose from, a glimpse of Michael J Fox's electric guitar in Back to the Future inspired his main instrument of choice. Now Glasgow based, Gordon enjoys touring with his band – particularly to the US – and hanging out with friends.

Dream date? I have so many nostalgic memories of Paris and Berlin, so maybe we could head there.

Turn on? Someone who is going to keep me interested and not just sit there watching me with a blank face.

Turn off? I don't want a Rachel or a Monica from Friends type; I'm more interested in girls in the Phoebe mould.

Greatest achievement? I couldn't tell you what it was called but I climbed a ruddy great mountain the other day near to where we're working on the new album. What else? Still being able to be involved in music and doing it for a living; that and being a decent guy feel like pretty good achievements. Oh, and I've never seen the Godfather trilogy. I'm pretty proud of that.

Single and celebrating? Yes, it's all good at the moment.

12 Cameron Barnes, 20

Actor and piper

This Fife-born theatre star and award-winning piper could barely believe his luck when he walked into an open audition for the National Theatre of Scotland's extraordinarily successful Black Watch, to be cast as Macca.

He has since made his professional stage debut with the NTS, having previously won piping competitions around the world as a member of the Fife Constabulary Pipe Band. Cameron is now appearing to critical acclaim across the US, as the NTS's extraordinary tale of the atrocities of war are unveiled in Black Watch as part of its bumper international tour.

A star in the making, Cameron has recently been signed to an agent and we're predicting very big things to come.

Dream date?Keira Knightley.

Turn on?Great personality.

Turn off? Bad teeth.

Greatest achievement? Touring America with the National Theatre of Scotland's production of Black Watch.

Single and celebrating? Yes, making the most of being single.

13 Lewis Smith, 23

Swimmer

This highly-motivated Edinburgh swimmer front-crawling towards international success has his eyes firmly set on London 2012 – and there's plenty to keep him busy in the sporting calendar before that. Having missed out on the chance to compete in the Beijing Olympics back in 2008, the Stirling student will be hoping to get picked in the final selection event for the World Championships in Shanghai next month.

A competitor since the age of 12, the long-time Warrender member followed head coach Ian Wright to one of the new British Intensive Training Centres in Stirling in January – where he also enrolled at the university.

Dream date? Jetting off on a private plane to an exotic country. Of course, I need somebody to let me borrow their plane.

Turn on? I like to keep myself in shape and I appreciate that quality in a woman, so a lady with a great figure.

Turn off? Hairy women.

Greatest achievement? Getting the Commonwealth Games silver medal and qualifying for GB World Championship team. And the one occasion I beat 14-time Olympic champion Michael Phelps in a race in the US – that was pretty sweet.

Single and celebrating? I've been single a few months and am enjoying spending time with friends and focusing on university and qualification for next year's Olympics.

14 John Yorston, 37

Renewable energy manager

Described by a friend as an "archetypal witty, urbane Edinburgher", this eco-friendly catch, specialising in offshore renewable energy, was born in Aberdeen. Having worked in Australia and London, John now calls Edinburgh home, working as a renewable energy manager for global organisation EDP Renewables.

Operating all over the world, John is determined to put Scotland on the map. From an environmental point of view, he feels proud, he says, of developing clean energy and bringing new opportunities to his native country. While he admits to working long hours, he enjoys listening to music, going to the theatre and hanging out with his British bulldog, Archie.

Dream date? I never have any preconceptions about other people. I suppose I look for in a date what I look for in the people I'm already friends with – an ability to make me laugh. Festival time in Edinburgh is a pretty great time for a first date.

Turn on? I enjoy people who like what they do, someone who is polite and has manners.

Turn off? I don't like moaners.

Greatest achievement? Surviving the amount of times I've fallen off my motorbike is a major accomplishment. But when we can flick the switch and give clean energy to Scotland I'll feel I've really achieved something.

Single and celebrating? I'm happy. It's not something I really think about.

15 Ali Smeaton, 30

Creative director, Morph Suits

Those familiar with this year's Edinburgh Fringe programme could barely have missed the bright neon Lycra bodysuits on its cover. For fancy dress group Morph Suits, it's all in a successful day's work – the company is set to turn over 12 million this year alone. For Morph's creative director, it's a labour of love.

Having previously worked in mergers and acquisitions for a bank, the Gullane-born Ali left his job three years ago to start Morph with his brother and a friend. Beginning with just 75 suits and "a poor website", they now have global reach, having sold over 250,000 suits in 26 countries across the globe. When he's not working Ali can be found playing rugby or travelling.

Dream date? A weekend away in the south of France, in a nice quite villa, with good conversation and good food.

Turn on? Good looks, personality, someone who enjoys having fun.

Turn off? Someone who is negative.

Greatest achievement? Morph Suits. I'm very proud of how it's grown. We never thought we'd be selling Lycra for a living!

Single and celebrating? Absolutely. I enjoy and have a good life.

16 Glynn Geddie, 21

Professional racing driver

A self-confessed adrenaline junkie, this young Aberdonian is set to take the racing world by storm as part of the Ferrari team. Having just turned 21, this year sees Glynn join forces with his father as they make a bid for glory in the British GT Championship in a Ferrari 458, before Glynn (already crowned the British Racing Drivers' Club Rising Star), sets a course for the FIA GT3 European Championship, where he'll pit himself against the best, again in a Ferrari 458.

The young Glynn – whose personal heroes include Lewis Hamilton and Jackie Stewart – reveals that he has his sights firmly set on racing in next year's Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup. When he's not travelling with his job or speeding round the track, he can be found keeping fit and indulging his love of dance festivals.

Dream date? Probably in somewhere like Abu Dhabi or Dubai – a beach date would be good.

Turn on? A genuine girl with the supermodel look; but humour and personality have to be there too.

Turn off? A moody person.

Greatest achievement? I tend to grasp stuff pretty quickly and be able to pick it up; I've no fear and I'm a quick learner. Being signed for Ferrari and doing my first race for them at the beginning of the year was a pretty amazing achievement.

Single and celebrating? I like being single but you miss people when you're away.

17 Peter Shand, 35

Lawyer, Murray Beith Murray

This legal eagle by day and social butterfly by night has many impressive strings to his bow. A self-confessed tryer of new things, Peter loves his day job, working closely with clients. Aberdeen-born, he moved to Edinburgh five years ago.

When he's not working as an associate lawyer for Murray Beith Murray, he's embracing a great love of the arts. A piano teacher and player, Peter also took up ballet dancing not long ago in a bid to add to his already impressive repertoire of talents. Indeed, this multi-talented chap has even tried his hand at high board diving and gymnastics in recent months.

Dream date? Something or somewhere where there's a creative spark or edge – a day spent checking out Edinburgh Festival highlights when it starts up maybe?

Turn on? People with creative energy and a zest for life are fun and inspiring.Laughter is a great tonic, so they'd better make me smile.

Turn off? I like people who are 'radiators' not 'drains' (glass half-empty syndrome is to be avoided at all times).

Greatest achievement? Havingworked out in life what makes my heart sing.

Single and celebrating? I'm an independentthirtysomething, and have awarded myself the No 1 Eligible vote in life, regardless of what anyone thinks.

18 Jonathan Engels, 36

Founder and chief executive, Pincer Vodka

This enterprising drinks man left his job as an architect to follow his dream of creating his own special brand of vodka to great success. Combining 100 per cent selected grain, Scottish mountain water and the natural extracts of milk thistle and wild elderflower, Jonathan's tipple was inspired by his desire to enjoy his favourite drink without the morning-after headache.

Having started life out of a tiny office in Glasgow, Jonathan admits he's been surprised and delighted by his success. Four years in the making, his Scottish-sourced drink has been seen on the shelves of some of London's hippest night spots and quaffed by some of fashion's finest (Kate Moss to name but one).

Lest we forget, Snow Patrol have asked for it at their concert after party. When he's not working – and he's the first to admit he's a busy man – Jonathan can be found eating out (a favourite pastime) or hanging out at the Arlington Baths in Glasgow.

Dream date? In an absolute fantasy world I would hire out the Ubiquitous Chip in Glasgow and we'd be able to order whatever we wanted from the menu, with some nice cocktails.

Turn on? Confidence and a sense of humour.

Turn off? Vegetarianism.

Greatest achievement? Launching and getting the company off the ground in those first 18 months.

Single and celebrating? I'm so busy at the moment I really don't often have time to think about it.

19 Thomas Haywood, 39

Photographer

Part-time photographer, part-time international baseball umpire, Thomas showcases an impressive array of talents both behind the camera and on the pitch. Born in Inverness, he studied history and anthropology before doing a masters in photography at the Royal College of Art. Since he graduated in 2008, he has enjoyed high-profile exhibitions in London and Poland.

Not a man to sit idle, he fuelled his passion for baseball by training to be a professional umpire in 2005. Today his work takes him all around the world, with his fluency in French and German allowing him to umpire multi-lingually.

Dream date? I love the outdoors – so maybe something like kayaking, hill walking or road cycling.

Turn on? I like good, harmonious people; comfort, helpfulness and someone with a sporting mind.

Turn-off? I wouldn't want someone who just wanted to sit around indoors: I'm very go get 'em.

Greatest achievement? One was getting a 2:1 degree, having failed my O-levels; the other was being part of the world preparations in Korea for the Baseball Olympics. It was incredible.

Single and celebrating? Yes.

20 Scott Agnew, 30

Comedian

This former Scottish Comedian of the Year and all-round funnyman arrives on our Eligibles shortlist fresh from an appearance at RockNess and following a critically acclaimed outing as part of the Stonewall celebrations. A Glasgow native, at 6ft 5in, Scott is hard to miss with his acerbic wit and gregarious presence. He remembers as a boy improvising a Billy Connolly sketch at primary school, much to the bemusement of his teachers, and from then on, he says, his card was marked.

Splitting his time between Glasgow and Manchester, he says he can never imagine giving up the buzz of playing to a crowd. Those keen to take a closer look can see him in the flesh at this year's Fringe.

Dream date? A 40-deck of Marlboro, a 12-pack of Tennent's lager and a night at the Horseshoe singing Neil Diamond tracks on the karaoke.

Turn on? I like an independent spirit. Based on married friends of mine, there's nothing sexier than watching a couple who can work a room separately, who don't need to be welded together at the side and neither worries about the other.

Turn off? Clingy people; I don't like neediness.

Greatest achievement? There are obvious ones like winning the Scottish Comedian of the Year in 2008 or playing to a huge crowd at RockNess. Then there are silly ones like being stripped naked by Ross Noble at the Glasgow Comedy Festival or licking Johnny Vegas' left nipple.

Single and celebrating? I'm 12 weeks single and in the process of beginning to celebrate it.

21 Simon Gage, 48

Director, Edinburgh Science Festival

As the mastermind behind one of the capital's most innovative festivals, Simon has quite brilliantly taken the world of science to the masses.

Having started at the Edinburgh Science Festival 20 years ago as a tea boy, the trained physicist was determined to excite and enthuse young people about how science and technology can change and inspire.

With a mother who trained as a dancer and a father who worked in television, Simon has an eye for bringing the most unexpected things to life, and his festival is now regarded worldwide as one of the finest of its kind. A divorcee, he loves nothing more than spending time with his children, often camping. He has a canoe on the Tweed, and he can often be seen on his trusty bicycle on the streets of Edinburgh, as he cycles almost everywhere.

Dream date? Perhaps outside, maybe a walk on the hills with someone that intellectually gives me a hard time, someone with a joy for living and who sees the positive side of most situations.

Turn on? They don't have to know anything about science but someone open to things is good and someone who finds life exciting.

Turn off? Highly religious. I'm a science man.

Greatest achievement? Any parent would say their children and that's certainly the case. Beyond that, what I've done with the science festival – as part of a team that pioneers science for the public, we're a world first. We've had an influence well beyond what we ever imagined.

Single and celebrating? I'm certainly not miserable about it.

22 Richard Madden, 24

Stage and screen actor

He's Scotland's Most Stylish Male and was named in the Esquire Brilliant Brits list as one of the hottest young acting talents in the business. Renfrewshire-born Richard's dark, brooding and impeccably slick style is fast garnering as many plaudits as the critically acclaimed stage and screen performances he has been turning in, which already include seasons at the famed Globe and Royal Shakespeare Company.

Beginning his acting career at the Paisley Arts Centre aged 11, Richard was destined for brighter things. Following various high-profile stints on stage, he appeared in BBC series Hope Springs in 2009 and Worried about the Boy in 2010. Stateside, Richard is currently big business, thanks to his role as Robb Stark in HBO's big-budget epic Game of Thrones alongside Sean Bean, with the rumour mill suggesting he has a dark comedy and a Shakespeare project in the pipeline.

Dream date? Dinner in Paris, then a stroll along the Seine.

Turn on? Someone who makes me laugh.

Turn off? Arrogance.

Greatest achievement? My relationship with my family.

Single and celebrating? Too busy to have it any other way.

23 Angus Purden, 36

TV presenter

Lanarkshire-born Angus has enjoyed a multifaceted career modelling and presenting. A former Mr Scotland, he has travelled across Europe – including a three-year modelling stint in Milan. A desire to work in television took hold and after working as a runner on Five and a producer at GMTV, he got his big break as the face of Cash in the Attic.

Angus is currently the face of the People's Postcode Lottery and replaced Carol Smillie on ITV's quiz show Postcode Challenge. He has recently signed up to present Channel Five show Soap Dodgers. On the side, he's a second-year psychology student, honing skills he hopes to use later in life. In his free time away from the telly and out of the study books, Angus can be found in basement bars supping drinks with his single friends.

Dream date? Being with someone who is baggage free; I'm conscious that it has become a wee bit of an 'all about me' society. It's difficult now to meet people who have a real energy for life.

Turn on? Someone who knows a lot about food and drink, someone with ambition, tenacity, who is well travelled or wants to travel.

Turn off? Being goalless.

Greatest achievement? My relationships with my family; I'm a family man and I love my family. I'm an uncle of nine and godfather of two and that means a lot to me.

Single and celebrating? Celebrating, yes, but I've got my searchlight out.

24 James Cummings, 40

MD, Heavenly Food and Raw Fresh

It's a motivated, innovative man who can take a student job delivering pizza and turn it into a highly successful business model. Growing up in Aberdeen, James saw a window for high-end pizzas, so Heavenly Pizzas was born. Not one to sit on his laurels, his latest creation is Raw Fresh, this time offering salads, nutritional wraps and more. While he admits to not having a great deal of spare time, he does enjoy using what he has, eating out and indulging in winter sports.

Dream date? Spending time with a girl who is funny and wacky, with an edgy sense of humour.

Turn on? Funny girls who are going to get on with my friends.

Turn off? People who are self-obsessed.

Greatest achievement? I'm proud of how we're developing the company.

Single and celebrating? I'm OK with being single but obviously it's great to be with someone too.

25 Derek Dick AKA Fish, 53

MUSICIAN, actor, writer

Maverick tends to be a description best suited to the man they call Fish. He's never been one to conform or play safe and, as such, has a kaleidoscopic and dynamic career span that has him operating his own record label from the studio where he both lives and works when he's not touring round the world. Currently working on ideas for a new album, with a novel in the background and a new movie about to be released, he could never be accused of being workshy. When the Fish is not on the world's stage, his greatest escape is either underwater or into the hills.

Dream date? A quiet seafood restaurant overlooking the sea, ideally where we'd both dived that day and brought up lobsters for the chef. A chilled sancerre and open the story boxes.

Turn on? Tall, willowy and intelligent women with a great sense of humour.

Turn off? Shallow, materialistic, vain creatures.

Greatest achievement? Bringing up a daughter and watching her make her own way in the world.

Single and celebrating? Of course. I've been voted into the top Eligibles in Scotland at the age of 53. Who said Peter Pan was fictitious?

This article was first published in Scotland On Sunday, 26 June, 2011