Alison recently started a new job with The Scottish Council on Deafness. She is fascinated by language and signing and is a graduate in English Language and Linquistics.
Born: 7 January 1956 in the Simpsons Maternity Hospital in Edinburgh. I moved around a lot as I was growing up as my dad was John Menzies stations manager. Growing up I spent 2 years in Edinburgh, 2 years in Aberdeen, 2 years in Inverness, 7 years in Carlisle before moving back to Edinburgh
Q: What is your favourite tipple?
A: Bottles of Pils lager
Q: What is your favourite song/band?
A: I like most things, but my favourite song is 'Killing Me Softly' by Roberta Flack
Q: What is your favourite film?
A: 'Ryan's Daughter' is fantastic. I also love Spanish films, particularly those directed by Almodovar ('Todo Sobre Madre' is excellent) and Bunuel. I studied Spanish and love Spain - Dali, Lorca etc.
Q: What place in Edinburgh do you think every visitor to the city should see?
A: Gladstone's Land is fantastic. It's a 17th century Edinburgh tenement that gives you a real sense of how people used to live. It's full of fascinating details like the brass model rat on the cabinet and 17th century baby walkers. Also, patines (from the French, to skate) which the women of the time used to put over their shoes to protect from the mess left after someone had shouted, "gardyloo." I'd also recommend the Georgian House (left) as it's fascinating to compare see how the other half lived. You can look at the original kitchens and servants quarters. The tray with the gravy and slope etc.
Q: What don't you like about Edinburgh?
A: The cars parked on the pavement outside my tenement annoy me. If I was blind or disabled I don't know how I'd get past. I caught someone doing it the other day and commented on it. He said he'd never though of that. Why not?
