Top 100 Eligible Men - Scotland on Sunday 03 Oct 1999
(1) David Moulsdale, Entrepreneur, 30
Lives - Dullater, near Cumbernauld.
Catch him - Annoying the Loch Lomond locals on his Kawasaki jet-ski, black-running the Swiss ski-slopes with soul-mate
entrepreneur Tom Hunter, golfing at the Carnegie club at Skibo Castle (his handicap is an impressive six).
Form to date - No rings, though rumour has it he has a girlfriend. Increase your chances by working for him. His life's his
job and he prefers to keep his relationships in the business.
The lowdown - Last year's Entrepreneur of the Year and owner of the œ50 million Optical Express chain, has all the
assets to make him number one. He's got the mint-green Porsche
(complete with 'DAV1' personalised number plate), he's got the Landrover, and he's got 100 percent ownership of one of
the fastest growing companies in Scotland - and that means money. The son of a taxi-driver, Moulsdale left school at 16,
trained to be an optician by correspondence course, and set up his first store in Glasgow. Watch out for megalomaniac
Tendencies - He split from his original business partner because "he wanted a couple of small shops and I wanted to rule
the world".
Don't mention - Anything to do with cars - unless you're interested. Even as a teenager Moulsdale used to hang out in
car showrooms. Do say "I only have eyes for you - err, Optical Express."
Footnote - Good employment prospects for family members. Moulsdale has employed his mother, father and sister, and
he pays well. He even provides all his optometrists with BMWs.
Looking for - Someone to help him find his glasses in the morning - he's short-sighted.
(2) Richard Emanuel, Entrepreneur, 31
Lives - Glasgow
Catch him - On his mobile
Form to date - Attached but not tied the knot
The lowdown - Recently collected œ18.5 million after selling the retail arm of his mobile phone business DX
Communications to BT Cellnet in a œ42 million deal. Scotland's telephone king, Emanuel receives around 200 invitations
a year to speak at dinners, seminars and conferences, so he has little time for dating. He started out selling mobile
phones door-to-door, setting up his company with œ1,000 savings and a œ3,000 bank overdraft.
Don't say - "Let's give it all up and move to a desert island?" This man lives to work.
Do say - "It's good to talk."
(3) James Murray, Heir to Scone Palace, 30
Lives - Oxford and Scone Palace
Catch him - Hiking in the Highlands, or in his college bar
Form to date - "I don't think I'll ever get married," says Murray, "though I do love a good wedding."
The lowdown - Oxford student and heir to the large estates at Scone, Murray is thinking of starting up his own e-
commerce company. The big-hearted type, he organised and drove two aid convoys to Romania.
Do talk about - Your latest PC, the meaning of life, how to change the world
Don't mention - Wedding bells
(4) Donald Dewar, First Minister, 62
Lives - West End, Glasgow
Catch him - At 'um-ah' functions and dinners, 'um-ahing' his way through his speeches
Form to date - The one big one: full vows, rings and registry, with his one-time wife Alison. She left him for Derry Irvine
(ouch)
The lowdown - Well, power is meant to be an aphrodisiac - and Donald is the most powerful man in Scotland in about
300 years. If nothing else, the woman who ties the knot with this bachelor, gains the title of first lady. Everybody's
favourite uncle. He's a gent, but don't expect the most polished manners - he has been known to eat crisps dropped off
the carpet
Dinner date tip - Not difficult as Donald, aka The Gannet, will eat absolutely anything
Don't call him - Donny the Decent
Expect - Your photo in the newspaper
Don't expect - Any holidays - he doesn't do them
(5) Fran Healy, Rock star, 26
Lives - London
Form to date - Enjoys a devoted female following, his baby blue eyes winning many admirers.
Catch him at - A stage (and afterwards backstage) near you
The lowdown - A former student at Glasgow School of Art, Healy is now the lead singer with rock band Travis. Healy's
prospects look excellent - his band's last album sold over half a million copies in the UK alone. While he can count the
Gallagher brothers among his mates, Healy doesn't really do the whole rock star thing. At a gig earlier this year, he
pitched up on stage wearing a paint-stained T-shirt and looking like he'd just come (not so) fresh from decorating his flat
Don't mention - Dave Lee Travis
(6) Douglas Henshall, Actor, 32
Lives - Brixton, London
Form to date - Perhaps prospective girlfriends are slightly put off by the apparent similarities between Henshall and his
character Dr Nash in Channel 4's Psychos. Not keen to reveal his relationship history
The lowdown - An unassuming and nervy character, Henshall built his acting reputation on stage with 7:84 theatre
company before breaking into films such as This Year's Love and Orphans
Conversation killer - Try not to call him the new Ewan McGregor. He can be touchy about it
(7) Ruaridh Nicoll, Writer, 30
Lives - wherever he lays his hat
Catch him - On one of his constitutional walks in the Highlands
Form to date - Several big relationships with older women and journalists - not that we would mention any names, unlike
the Observer's Kathryn Flett
The lowdown - 6ft 2, good-looking and one of Scotland's most promising writers, Nicoll has just spent the last 13 months
working on his first novel. He worked as the Observer's Washington correspondent and landed several awards, book
deals look set to follow
Recognised as - A blurred four wheel drive enveloped in a blast of music
Be prepared for - Not seeing him for long stretches. He likes his isolation, and has survived the last year with few visitors
and no TV
(8) Douglas Alexander, MP Paisley South, 31
Lives - London and Glasgow
Form to date - Little time for romance
Catch him - At sea. From holidays on Iona, he developed a love of fishing
The lowdown - Gordon Brown's protege and speech writer. Competition between him and sister Wendy guarantees an
unrelenting ambition. His soflty-spoken approach hides his rampant ambition and incisive intellect
How to approach him - His training as a solicitor means he can cut through waffle. So keep your wooing straight and to
the point
(9) Peter Nichol, Squash player, 26
Lives - Chelmsford, Essex
Catch him - On court
Form to date - Far from keen to spill the beans on his romantic past, all the attention surrounding his professional life
means Nichol likes to keep his private life just that. Hmm, discreet, an admirable quality
The lowdown - The number one squash player in the world, born in Inverurie, Aberdeenshire. Professional accolades
include winning a gold medal in the Commonwealth Games - he has never been defeated in the 80 times he has
represented Scotland
Talking points -Travel and pop music
Don't mention - Past relationships
(10) Dougie Walker, Athlete, 26
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - The blushing cheeks and innocent smile mask the more flirtatious side to his character. A tough year
careerwise - which has seen him at the centre of drug allegations, which he strongly denies - has left little time for
relationships
Catch him - If you can. Tex Mex in Edinburgh is a favourite haunt
The lowdown - He has been the European, British and Scottish 200 metre champion. Although born in Inverness, he was
schooled in Edinburgh and completed an Estate management degree at Heriot Watt. His laidback manner belies the
competitive nature of his profession
Ice breaker - Football. He is an avid Hearts fan and plans to see more matches this season
(11) Colin MacDougall, Restaurant Owner, 33
Lives - in Glasgow
Catch him - at His Glasgow joints, Rab Ha's and Air Organic
The lowdown - Being at the forefront of the Glasgow bar and restaurant scene has done nothing to tame MacDougall's
appetite for contemporary design style (and content) - His restaurants may be cool and minimal, but MacDougall can't sit
still for more than five minutes, whether it's business, snowboarding or taking the sun in Jamaica
(12) Douglas Brown, Businessman
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Workaholic deal-maker with property interests on top of the day job
Catch him - Behind the wheel
The lowdown - Educated at Merchiston Castle School followed by business training in London before going into the
family business, the Eastern Western Auto Group, 20 years ago
Do talk about - East-West relations, brake horse power, property booms
Don't mention - Family credit, ozone depletion, property busts
(13) Gordon Brown, Chancellor of the Exchequer, 48
Lives - Number 10 Downing Street
Form to date - Currently engaged to Sarah Macaulay, PR consultant - but the date's not set and all's fair in love and
politics.
The lowdown - Even before Brown gained control of the country's purse, he had a certain appeal to women. In his
university days, he had a gaggle of girls called the Brown Sugars who wore T-shirts decorated with pictures of him, and
he's even been involved with a Romanian princess
Least likely - To reveal the wedding date
(14) Dr Liam Fox, MP, 38
Lives - Somerset
Form to date - His GP bedside manner and public speaking ability have yet to reel in that elusive perfect partner, though
a much-publicised flirtation with Aussie pop star Natalie Imbruglia showed some style
Catch him - At the local tennis courts or swimming pool
The lowdown - From GP to health spokesman for the Conservatives Speciality TLC - If you are planning on trying the
damsel-in-distress routine, there's nothing he hasn't seen before
Weak spot - Talking. Once started it may be difficult to stop him. Dr Fox proved his gift at the World Debating
Competition, so have plenty to say for yourself.
(15) Lord Lovat, Student, 21
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Unattached
Catch him at - Bars and parties around Edinburgh
The Iowdown - The 18th Lord Lovat, Simon Fraser is the Chief of the Clan Fraser. Younger brother of model Honor, he is
studying at Edinburgh University. Inherited his title while still at Harrow school on the death of his grandfather
Do say - How good kilts look
Don't mention - The "curse" of the Frasers
(16) Anthony Conetta, Restaurant Chain Director, 25
Lives - Glasgow Form to date - His longest relationship lasted three years but he's now notched up a year of singledom
Catch him at - Celtic Park
The lowdown - After Gordonstoun and Strathclyde University, he took his place in the family business, the Di Maggios
restaurant chain. Describing himself as "a wee bit of a romantic", Conetta does not go for champagne or candlelit dinners.
Far more likely to get his heart a-fluttering would be a date who agreed to join him on the football terraces
(17) Johnny Noble, Oyster Connoisseur, 62
Lives - Cairndow, Loch Fyne
Form to date - The shy type, he won't give much away
The lowdown - To oyster-lovers, Noble's Loch Fyne Oyster Bar is a Mecca - and if oysters really are aphrodisiacs then
heaven must be Fyne. Noble started up an oyster farm on his grandfather's estate. Since then the company's gone on to
smoke salmon and start up a restaurant
(18) Nick Nairn, Chef, 40
Lives - Port of Menteith, near Stirling
Form to date - Married to Fiona, with whom he set up the Braeval Inn in Aberfoyle until the pair separated in 1997. Now
seeing someone else whom he met on the set of his TV series.
Catch him at - Any New Labour shindig (he is a well known supporter and personal friend of Tony and Cherie), or at
home working his culinary magic.
The lowdown - Shot to national fame after opening the Michelin star Braeval Inn. Has since opened Nairn's restaurant in
Glasgow, though his TV commitments mean the hyperactive, tartan-clad celebrity chef and frontman of BBC Scotland's
Wild Harvest can't always be found chained to the kitchen sink there
Safer not to mention - His supposed rival Gordon Ramsay
(19) Scott Wilson, Football Player, 22
Lives - Glasgow
Catch him - At the Rangers social club or in his local pub
The lowdown - The Rangers defender was given his first-team debut as a 19-year-old. Wilson immediately impressed
against Ajax. Born in Edinburgh, the son of a Rangers fan, he went straight from school to Ibrox. Since then he's had his
ups and downs, but recently signed a new three-year contract with the club. For any Rangers-supporting woman, Wilson
scores high.
(20) Ben Wallace, MSP, 29
Lives - Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire
Catch him - At fetes and military parades
Form to date - His military career has restricted the amount of romance in his life
The lowdown - For those women who like a man in uniform, Wallace has certainly paid his dues. He was in the Scots
Guards for seven years and served in Northern Ireland and Central America. He is the deputy health spokesperson for the
Conservatives.
Attention! - Many of his personal details are protected by the Official Secrets Act
Female following - The annual Conservative summer fete in Banchory was spiced up this year when Wallace's close
friend, topless model Jo Guest, opened proceedings
(21) Mark Leishman, BBC Scotland Executive, 37
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - He's not been walked up the aisle, yet
Catch him at - Sarti's and the Hilton gym
The lowdown - Presented Good Morning Scotland before going into management. Now Secretary of BBC Scotland and
Head of Corporate Affairs. He's always good for a romantic weekend away and knows his food and drink
Family value - As the grandson - and spitting image - of BBC founder Lord Reith, he is genetically programmed to inform
and entertain
(22) Andrew Wilson, SNP MSP, 28
Lives - Milgavie, Glasgow
Form to date - Single since a long relationship ended
Catch him at - Bar Brel or similar haunts in Glasgow's West End.
The lowdown - Worked on the budget for the SNP manifesto and is heavily involved in policy planning. He made the front
pages recently for his comments about the Union Jack being an "offensive" symbol of colonialism. A home-grown
Motherwell fan, he tries to catch a match whenever possible
Do talk about - Home ties. His love of his nieces and nephews is well known
(23) John Gordon Sinclair, Actor, 36
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Well publicised engagement with stage star Ruthie Henshall is no more. A bit busy plugging his
forthcoming film Gregory's Two Girls at the moment. Perhaps once bitten...
Catch him at - Glasgow restaurant Capres
The lowdown - Since the age of 18, he has worked on stage and screen, culminating in an Olivier award for his
performance with Henshall in She Loves Me in 1995. Various sitcom parts later he admits: "I'm basically a clown"
Do talk about - The quiet life. Gordon Sinclair definitely has a taste for the more refined areas of life rather than hanging
about the goalposts
Don't mention - Money. He isn't interested in flashing cash to impress people
(24) Topher Nairn, Hotelier, 39
Lives - Port Monteith and Glasgow
Form to date - Love has played second fiddle to business ventures recently. Suggest a bike ride, that might do the trick
Catch him - At Port Monteith chalet park or surprise, surprise Nairn's
The lowdown - His maverick attitude saw him turn a serious bike accident to his advantage by using the insurance
money to buy the family business. He's since expanded his interests by opening the hotel Nairns in Glasgow with his
brother, Nick
Don't mention - The first part of his name
(25) Finlay Mickel, Competition Skier, 21
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Young, free and single
Catch him at - Tel ford College, Hillend ski slope. The lowdown - The son of the founder of McTaggart Mickel
Construction, Finlay has been in the British team for four years.
Part time lover? - Well, he is only resident in Edinburgh for four months a year because of sporting commitments.
(26) Grant Brebner, Footballer, 21
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Single and settling back in Scotland
Catch him - Playing and training for Hibs
The lowdown - Grant had spells away in England, firstly at Manchester United and then Reading
High maintenance - He claims his time in England helped him grow up and he doesn't need mothering
(27) Mark Bradburne, Jockey, 22
Lives - Fife
Form to date - Doesn't have too much time for romance as racing takes up most of his life
The lowdown - He is representing Britain at the World Series of Amateur Racing, which takes him all over the world.
Mark is to turn professional this year
Hot to trot? - As a trained physiotherapist, he's bound to be good with his hands
(28) Gordon Legge, Writer, 38
Lives - Edinburgh
Catch him at - Easter Road (he's a committed Hibee)
The lowdown - The prolific novelist could be useful in times of illness - he also works as a nursing assistant at the
Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, "looking after old folk"
Advance warning - Materially speaking, he's no Martin Amis. Legge rarely makes more than œ10,000 a year
(29) David Harvey, Sommelier, 27
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - When he left his last job, he spent his final pay cheque on cases of wine for his own cellars. As he
matures, so will his wines
Catch him at - The Balmoral Hotel, where he is master of the wine list. Fine wines are both a career and a private
passion
(30) Tim Maguire, Producer and Director, 44
Lives - New Town, Edinburgh
Form to date - Eight-year relationship with Yvonne Savage, recently split, but great potential for reunion
The lowdown - Dabbled in acting and writing, known for his gorgeous voice. Moved into advertising as a producer,
winning awards for Prada and Coca Cola, now a commercials director
Catch him at - Blue or the Filmhouse
(31) Yi-Lei Cai, Ballet dancer
Lives - Glasgow
Catch him at - Theatre Royal, Glasgow
The lowdown - Yi-Lei has been dancing since the age of 10 and trained at the Shanghai Dance School before coming to
Britain and joining Birmingham Royal Ballet. He moved to Scottish Ballet in 1998
Suggested conversational gambit - Is John Higgins better than Stephen Hendry? Yi-Lei loves snooker and can often be
found at his local hall
(32) Duncan Hamilton, MSP, 26
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Entering politics straight from Harvard hasn't left too much time for extra-curricular activities
Catch him in - His Argyll constituency
The lowdown - Rapid rise in the SNP and the new parliament for Hamilton. A prime candidate for settling down
(33) Dr Dale Fenwick, Obstetrician, 34
Lives - Aberdeen
Form to date - Free, catch him quick
Catch him - At hospital - you should see the hours he works
The lowdown - Hospital Doctor Magazine voted him "Dishy Doctor" of the year, this spring. Currently a senior registrar,
he should become a consultant in April 2000. Interests include horse-riding, water-skiing and hill-walking
A man with a mission? - He's always harboured a secret desire to be an actor
(34) David Munro, Music Director, Scottish Opera
Lives - Glasgow
Catch him - At home composing his latest children's opera
The lowdown - He has been music director of countless operas
Don't mention - Millennium madness. He's working on a piece about Glasgow for the Dome
(35) Craig Easton, Footballer, 20
Lives - Dundee
Form to date - Currently has a girlfriend
Catch him - On the park, most Saturdays, 3pm
The lowdown - Easton signed with Dundee United at 16 and is in his third season of first team football
Do talk about - The advantages of a plectrum, flat back fours
Don't mention - The Spice Girls
(36) Neil Murray, Theatre Administrator, 40
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - He's had spells living with three different girlfriends in the past but it hasn't put him off looking for love,
since he became single again in June. His ideal mate would be a curvaceous Audrey Hepburn
The lowdown - Originally from South Wales, he's the man who makes Glasgow's Tron Theatre run smoothly. He was
once in a band, and still plays from time to time
Hidden talent - Encyclopaedic knowledge of pop could be useful when faced with a pub quiz
(37) Mark Hogarth, Model
Lives - London
Catch him at - Airports the world over. In the near future his modelling will take him to South Africa, New York and Paris
The lowdown - Hogarth does not fit the stereotype of a model, having just completed a degree in politics and geography
at Strathclyde University this June. In the past, he spent a year living in London and working for Storm Model
Management
Diplomatic thing to say - He's perfect for the Foreign Office. Our man in Prada dreams of becoming an ambassador
(38) Erdley Hand, Financial Consultant, 42
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Expect to be whisked off to far-flung destinations. He has recently been to Sri Lanka, Jordan and Rio
Catch him - at Glasgow's pubs and clubs
The lowdown - After training as a chartered accountant in London, Hand joined City Financial Partners 14 years ago.
Now at their Glasgow office, he is seeking autonomy for the Scottish Offices as a division of the company
Do talk about - Your innermost feelings. Because he cares. "I'm a bit of a sensitive soul," he says (he's not from
Glasgow, he just lives there)
(39) Roddy Woomble, Rock Star, 23
Lives - Edinburgh
Catch him at - Wimbledon Common
The lowdown - Woomble looks much more like a post-graduate student than the stereotyped image of the debauched
rock rebel. Yet put him on a stage with his band Idlewild and all hell breaks loose
Pet fears - Woomble is scared of animals, so the zoo's out for a first date
Avoid - Infantile Wombles jokes. (Sorry)
(40) Tom Hutcheson, Solicitor, 33
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Catch his eye on the rugby pitch. He coached the Scottish representative women's rugby side
The lowdown - Has been a tractor driver and outdoor clothing model. Now defends hospital doctors against legal actions
Plus point - Given his job, watching Casualty will never be the same again
(41) James Rusk, Musician, 24
Lives - Newcastle
Form to date - Single
Catch him at - The Newcastle club World Headquarters
The lowdown - Son of Glasgow hair stylist Rita Rusk, James has been spending time developing and promoting his band
Mosquito Pulse
(42) Stewart Cheyne, Nightclub Director and Interior Designer, 48
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Divorced for eight years
Catch him at - The Balmoral Gym, Mercado
The lowdown - Stewart has been a director of the Edinburgh club Mercado for five years and was instrumental in its re-
launch.
Do talk about - Fashion and interior design
(43) Donald Findlay, QC, 48
Caught him - Allegedly singing sectarian songs in the Rangers social club
Form to date - Thrice-married, his most recent relationship with TV reporter Paddy Christie lasted five years
The lowdown - As a QC, Findlay earns around œ1,500 a day. He smokes a pipe and occasionally wears a cape
(44) Jefferson Ross, Inventor/Model, 29
Lives - in Glasgow
Where to catch him - On his mountain bike by Loch Lomond's bonny banks
The lowdown - Last year Jefferson launched his invention, the 'Robbo', which prevents water from going down your back
at the hairdressers
A mad professor? - What mad professor has an honours degree in economics from Glasgow university and was signed
up by Select modelling agency?
Don't say - Hair today, gone tomorrow
(45) Raoul Fraser, Model, 19
Lives - No firm base but home is Balblair House in Highlands
Catch him - Wherever cameras are flashing
The lowdown - Fraser is the cousin of catwalk star Honor and Lord Lovat. He was spotted in New York and snapped up
by Boss Models agency. He considers himself "goofy" and is keen to meet stunning girls
Not to be confused with - House of Fraser, Fraser Hines, Frasier Crane
(46) Andrew Lowe, Hotel Manager, 40
Lives - Lochearnhead
Catch him - Clubbing in Edinburgh and Glasgow, lord of all he surveys at the Four Seasons, St Fillans
The lowdown - Trained with the Hilton Group. Equally at home in Edinburgh, Glasgow, London and Hong Kong
(47) Dan Barlow, Environmentalist, 26
Lives - Marchmont, Edinburgh
Catch him - Sitting in a field somewhere playing his guitar or fiddle
The lowdown - His last job took him out to Bosnia to work with Muslim and Serbian youths and he works for the Scottish
Wildlife Trust
Do mention - The magnetic properties of soil - he did a PhD in it
(48) Mick Cooke, Trumpeter, 28
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - He even sleeps with his trumpet. Make of that what you will
Catch him - On the listening post at your local record shop on any Belle and Sebastian CD
The lowdown - From their student days and their meteoric rise to Brit Award Best Newcomers, Belle and Sebastian have
built up strong support
Exhibitionist? - He stripped in front of 30,000 at Hogmanay in George Square
(49) Michael Levack, Director, Hall and Tause, 34
Lives - Edinburgh
Catch him at - His local pub, the Sheep's Heid
Form to date - Levack is a passionate man. He's passionate, in his own words, about the construction industry. He also
loves rugby and football
(50) Graham Spiers, Journalist, 36
Lives - West End, Glasgow
Form to date - Boyish charm but hasn't quite cracked the permanent relationship thing
Catch him at - Hillhead Baptist church, The Truffle Club (only in the call of duty, he says)
The lowdown - Sympathy vote sneaks him into the list. Scotland on Sunday sports writer and TV football pundit.
Penchant for long words, Old Testament rhetoric and Elton John
Nickname - The bonking baptist
Top 100 Eligible Women - Scotland on Sunday 03 Oct 1999
(1) Joanne Rowling, Best-selling author, 34
Lives - Edinburgh
Catch her - At Nicolson's cafe, where she wrote her first novel. In Hollywood, being seduced by the big movie players
Form to date - One big relationship. Whilst teaching English in Oporto, she met and married a Portuguese television
journalist in 1992. They had a daughter and divorced soon after
The lowdown - Just a couple of years ago, Rowling was living on income support in a grotty flat in Leith, typing her
children's novel Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone out numerous times because she couldn't afford a computer or
photocopies. Back then she sought refuge in cafes, writing with her daughter in a pram beside her. Now she's a
millionaire. Her first two books won the Smarties Book Prize, Warner Brothers have reportedly paid a "heavy seven-figure
sum" for the rights to Harry Potter, and anyone who is a child at heart, has to fall hook, line and sinker for the inventor of
Harry Potter, the downtrodden orphan who turns out to be a gifted wizard
Bear in mind - Rowling based the character of Hermione, Harry's impossibly studious friend, on her own younger self, "a
swotty little git with National Health spectacles"
(2) Wendy Alexander, MSP, 36
Lives - In her constituency of Paisley
Form to date - Has been in a long-term relationship but is living the single life at the moment
Catch her - At Donald Dewar's right hand
The lowdown - The daughter of a minister and a haematologist, her whole persona has recently been shrouded in talk of
her being the next in line for Dewar's seat. Her reputation for being charismatic and complex has earned her the nick-
name of 'the pint-sized policy powerhouse' When some spare time does rear its head she enjoys the sanctuary of Mull
and unwinds with a spot of birdwatching
A touchy subject - Old relationships. It would appear that the heart is not yet mended, with Alexander telling one
newspaper earlier this year that if she had the opportunity to marry, "I would have taken it, I never anticipated being
single, never in a million years"
(3) Saskia Price, Model, 18
Lives - No fixed abode, wherever she lays her hat is her home
Form to date - She may be in the company of some of the world's sexiest men but wrestling for the mirror in the morning
would cause too much strife
Catch her at - The international departures gate or riding her horse, Jen, whenever she is back in Scotland
The lowdown - Saskia Price is hitting the big time in modelling terms. She's been adorned in French Connection clothes,
chopped by Charlie Miller for her first job at 14 and graced the cover of Italian Vogue and Harpers and Queen. With no
current aspirations beyond the ab fab circuit, she is content to travel when and where the work takes her. Having just
come of age in legal terms, she doesn't go out on the town much, preferring to kick off the high heels and chill-out at home
Do talk about - Fashion sweetie, darling
(4) Daniela Nardini, Actor, 31
Lives - Glasgow, London
Catch her - A private person, she's hard to track down. But, if you're that star struck, her brother runs a cafe in
Edinburgh's Gyle shopping centre
The lowdown - The name Nardini used to mean just one thing: the Largs ice-cream dynasty. Daniela's performance as
man-eating barrister Anna in BBC2's drama series This Life changed all that
Reality check - This Life was only TV. Nardini is self-confessedly shy and plays downs comparisons with Anna. Her
school careers adviser concluded that she was "born to be a dental hygienist"
(5) Sharleen Spiteri, Pop star, 32
Form to date - Currently indisposed
Lives - Glasgow and London
The Lowdown - The globe-trotting lifestyle that comes from being the lead singer of Texas is nothing new to this daughter
of a merchant seaman: at 17, she was a representative for Rita Rusk, travelling the world advising on hair care. Frank-
speaking, she cuts through music-industry froth like an axe through jelly. Also loves the great outdoors and spends as
much time as possible in the Highlands
Don't say - I'm so glad to meet you, because I've always loved Garbage
(6) Clarissa Dickson Wright, Broadcaster, writer, food expert, 52
Lives - Inveresk, Musselburgh
Form to date - Army of admirers, she knows a good pair of legs when she sees them, but has never tied the knot
Catch her - At home, Valvona and Crolla (she adores the Edinburgh delicatessen and restaurant) otherwise permanently
on the move with work or buzzing around the East Coast in her open-top silver Saab
The lowdown - She practised as a barrister for 13 years, before linking up with Jennifer Paterson to form the Two Fat
Ladies
Don't say - Could I tempt you to some carrots? She detests them
(7) Sarah Smith, Scotland Correspondent, Channel 4 News, 30
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Shared a flat in London with producer, Stephen Webb
The lowdown - Daughter of the late John Smith and you don't get better credentials than that. Smith got into TV 10 years
ago, joining the BBC as a graduate trainee. The move back to Scotland has meant giving up theatre at the weekends.
Can be found on the hills in Argyll
Sister act - Remember, the Smith daughters, Sarah, Jane and Catherine, are a force to be reckoned with
(8) Sarah Macaulay, Public relations consultant, 35
Lives - London
Form to date - Until she and Gordon Brown got together no one gave a flying fig who she'd dated and, let's be honest,
who really cares? That said, having landed such a confirmed bachelor she must have something going for her in the love
stakes
Catch her - At Conran restaurants, or quaffing G&T's in Soho House or one of the many Westminster watering holes
The lowdown - A partner in the successful Hobsbaum-Macaulay PR agency, whose clients include New Labour and the
New Statesman. You could argue she's taken, but then when will Gordon make an honest woman of her?
Don't ask her - When the wedding is
(9) Lisa Milne, Opera singer, 28
Lives - London, San Francisco, Spain, Glasgow
Catch her - Flirting in any pub, bar or party
The lowdown - Described by some as practically a professional bachelor girl, Milne has one of the best voices in
Scotland. Six years ago she entered a competition as an anonymous music student, now she sings for Scottish Opera.
Milne recently received the Young Artist Award from the Royal Philharmonic Society
Has said - "When you go to an opera you get unadulterated, raw energy coming out of a body"
Likes nothing better than - "Having a glass of red wine, sitting down in front of the telly, and sticking on Austin Powers"
Can be located by - The sound of her raucous, non-stop laughter
(10) Shonaig MacPherson, Solicitor, 40
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Her marriage ended this year. She has two children
Catch her at - The opera or speaking at international conferences
The lowdown - Known as an ideas woman and praised by her staff as being "very dynamic", her specialisation is in
patents, rights and the protection of business ideas at McGrigor Donald Solicitors intellectual property unit. She is also
company secretary of the Scottish Biomedical Research Trust, and a member of the International Trademarks Association
Do talk about - The merits of the Italian language. If you can tell your Puccini from your Pavarotti then you are sure to
raise a flicker of interest
Don't mention - Information. She is surrounded by it 24 hours a day and will have reached overload by the end of the day
(11) Julie Ross, Businesswoman, 28
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Several long-term relationships, including a three-year spell of cohabitation, have failed to go anywhere in
particular
Catch her at - Firebird, Toast, or other suitably swanky bar in Glasgow's West End
The lowdown - As someone who makes a living from making other people look good, Ross's obsessive attention to her
own appearance makes her a sought-after dining companion. Yet despite working in the horrendously shallow beauty
industry, Scotland's answer to Anita Roddick is indeed a fully-rounded human being, complete with a sussed attitude and
real interests like golfing (her dad is a golf-pro). Currently set to take over the high-class Toni & Guy hairdressing
franchise for the whole of Scotland
Do talk about - Style. Mention an article you read in Vogue and first date pregnant pauses will miraculously disappear.
Don't mention - Jennifer Aniston, Pantene Pro-V or Wash & Go
(12) Sarah Heaney, TV presenter, 29
Lives - Edinburgh
Catch her - In front of a camera
The lowdown - Heaney trained as a make-up artist, then became a model before moving into TV. In 1998, she was
chosen to front S2 Live, the flagship show on STV's digital channel
Suggested conversational gambit - Did you see the Antiques Road Show this week? She loves antique shops. Also
keen on hill-walking, skiing and shopping
Passion killer - Untidiness. She can't stand slobs and litter louts
(13) Shona Maciver, Design agency director, 40
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Since her marriage ended, Maciver prefers dating to the "painful and messy" business of relationships
Catch her at - Air Organic
The lowdown - Maciver - who owns Locofoco - enjoys cinema and gardening
Taste - "I'm constantly surprised and appalled by whom I'm attracted to"
(14) Lynne Ramsay, Film-maker, 29
Lives - London but still very in touch with her Glasgow roots
Form to date - Her Portobello pad is still single occupancy
Catch her at - The travel agents. She hates to stay in the same place for too long
The lowdown - From her Cannes award winning short films to her first feature, Ratcatcher, Ramsay has portrayed a
certain bleakness that also reveals her own romantic nature. Currently in Spain researching her adaptation of Alan
Warner's Morvern Callar
Prospects for love - If you don't have the rose tinted shades and suitcase, forget it
(15) Susan Young, Magazine publisher, 35
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Two big relationships, but she's reluctant to say more
Catch her at - Young favours traditional pubs over trendy bars
The lowdown - A woman who knows all the best bars in Scotland, Young set up Repertoire, a style magazine covering
pubs and restaurants. Rests liver on Wednesday nights by staying in to watch Ally McBeal
Racy streak - She drives a Freelander but would like a two-seater sports car
(16) Margaret Cook, Consultant haematologist, 52
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Highly-publicised marriage break-up from Foreign Secretary Robin Cook two years ago. Catch her on chat
shows, in newspapers, on the radio, in books, as agony aunt
The lowdown - A 29-year marriage to Cook ended when he admitted an affair with his private secretary. He didn't tell her
in person. She retaliated by telling her side of the story as publicly as possible
Need not apply - The impotent and those with drink problems
(17) Hazel Irvine, Sports presenter, 34
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Was seeing Falkirk lawyer Malcolm Thomson
Catch her - At work
The lowdown - One of the hardest working presenters at BBC Sport, Hazel presents a myriad of shows for the BBC, she
once presented Ski Sunday from a hot tub. A lifelong supporter of Dumbarton FC where she is honorary president of the
supporters' club. She will have a go at any sport and has been described as capable of "blethering for Scotland"
Icebreaker - If you don't want to talk sport discuss Barbara Streisand whom she adores. Which should rule out most
heterosexual men
(18) Kate Kearney, Kickboxer, 22
Lives - Blanefield, Glasgow
Form to date - Unattached
Catch her at - Clydebank Kickboxing Club
The lowdown - When not in training for the Great Britain team she works in Glasgow milliners The Mad Hatter owned by
her parents
If you fancy taking her on - Remember, she spends her time fighting with men and winning
(19) Alison Jameson, Model agency director and fashion consultant, 40
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Formerly married, with one son, Jack. Split from husband eight years ago. Currently single
Catch her at - The beach walking her dogs, shopping in Edinburgh's George Street or Glasgow's finest emporiums.
The lowdown - Worked for hair-stylist Trevor Sorbie for eight years in London, before returning to Edinburgh to set up her
own specialist PR company. Now a director of the model agency Metropolitan Scotland.
Do chat about - Fashion, interior design, hair
Steer clear of - Football, gadgets
(20) Lisa Cooper, Chef, 32
Lives - West End, Glasgow
Catch her - Out on the town with her sister, Kelly Cooper Barr, or drinking after work at Air Organic
Form to date - Afflicted with the two-year itch, Cooper's four relationships, each lasted two years. Anyone up for the
challenge of making it longer?
The lowdown - A self-taught chef, she has cooked for a living in Switzerland, Antigua and Andorra. Currently working for
trendy eatery, Air Organic, she's also setting up her own restaurant, Four, at the CCA
Do try - Her soup - it's legendary
Don't try - Asking her to stay in - she'll be straight down the pub
(21) Tasmin Shah, Doctor, 25
Lives - Morningside, Edinburgh
Catch her - Drinking with the rest of the hospital at the Doctor's pub
Form to date - The slog of training to be a doctor leaves little time for heavy relationships
The lowdown - Though currently working as a senior house officer in respiratory medicine at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary,
Shah prefers life in the fast lane
For a racy date - Take her out karting
Ambitions - To work for a Formula One team
(22) Poppy Kinloch, Corporate Fraud Prevention, 24
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Single at the moment. Has a couple of drummers in her past
Catch her - Flying around Edinburgh in her Golf or walking up Arthur's Seat
The lowdown - Poppy is a very active person who demands a lot from life. She has been involved in catering, PR and
now spends her time checking people's histories out for her work. Equally demanding in her personal life she hasn't yet
found what she is looking for. Those who think they have a chance must be romantic, entertaining, adventurous and
spontaneous
Do talk about - Your mental problems (she is taking a psychology degree, and likes a little bit of madness)
Don't mention - Your ingenious fraud scheme to make you a millionaire
(23) Pandora Clifford, Actor, 26
Lives - London, where she's currently shooting a feature film called Nine Lives, but spends much time in Edinburgh
Catch her – At art galleries, parties, and parties in art galleries
The lowdown - Acting is not the only string to her bow. Pandora has been working in PR and plans to open her own
agency soon. The daughter of Timothy Clifford, director of the Scottish National Gallery, she keeps in shape by running
half-marathons
Weak point - Self-confessed terrible driver
Sore points - Dislikes smoking and people who break promises
(24) Gail Porter, Television presenter, 28
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - A recurring theme in interviews is that she never gets to meet any men. Or at least not the right ones
Catch her – At the gym for two hours every morning
The lowdown - The former BBC children's presenter is perhaps the most overexposed woman in Scotland (viz the men's
magazine which projected a picture of her naked body onto the House of Commons). She was nicknamed "Snobby" at
school because she worked so hard but given her black belt in karate it might not be advisable to bring this up in
conversation now
Footnote - There's a website dedicated to pictures of her bare feet
(25) Caroline Rolleston-Brown, Solicitor, 33
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Recently turned single but has fallen in love with Scotland
Catch her – At Kibble Palace in Glasgow's Botanic Gardens, Diva Espresso
The lowdown - Came north of the Border for a man and ended up staying (without him). Has matched a climb up the
ranks of her profession with active involvement in Glasgow life
Do say - Anything in French. It might just make this committed Francophile melt
(26) Roseanna Cunningham, MSP Perth, 48
Lives - Edinburgh and Perth
Form to date - Single woman with power
Catch her – At The Scottish Parliament
The lowdown - Cunningham was born in Glasgow, and raised in Australia. She came back to Scotland and became a
lawyer Then in 1995 she won the seat for Perth and Kinross. Beyond the crazy world of politics she relaxes by throwing
people around at aikido classes. Nights in have become her Holy Grail since the new parliament was set up
Do talk about - Folk music
Don't mention - Techno music
(27) Kelly Macdonald, Actor, 23
Lives - London, after her career forced her to upsticks from her native Newton Mearns. But, a reluctant exile, she comes
back often
Form to date - Try digging for romantic info at your peril
Catch her – At none of the schemie bars featured in Trainspotting. Macdonald prefers to curl up at home with a book
The lowdown - Having come screaming to our attention as Ewan McGregor's love interest in Trainspotting, contrary to
popular belief, Macdonald was not a flash in the pan. Since then she's chalked up 10 feature films. She has also been
seen on TV extolling the virtues of a certain deodorant. Oops
(28) Katy Nicoll, Events Organiser, 35
Lives - Glasgow, West End
Catch her - Swanning it with the rich at any of the parties she organises. Or simply where the fun is
Form to date - Currently attached to a "very nice boyfriend"
The lowdown - There's never a quiet night in with Katy, sister of Ruaridh (see men's list). Currently working for Unique
Events - the company that organised the opening of Parliament - she's as at home drinking with MSPs and film stars, as
she is hiking up a mountain
Challenge? - To last an evening with her. She can drink any man under the table
Be ready to - Pack your bags at short notice. Nicoll is a wanderer, and likes to travel
(29) Lizzie Francke, Film Festival Director, 36
Lives - Tollcross, Edinburgh
Form to date - Francke's three-year stint at the Edinburgh International Film Festival has been dotted with a few flings
Catch her - Jetting round Europe in search of films for next year's festival
The lowdown - As a former journalist, she's poacher turned gamekeeper. Nervous public speaker - which can be either
maddening or endearing. No one has ever faulted Lizzie on enthusiasm
Glamorous? - Can be, but there are dangers. An accident with glitter during the opening night of 1998's festvial left her
trying to look chic in an eye patch
(30) Lorna Scott, Ballet dancer, 26
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Currently single, and looking
Catch her - At night classes and West End restaurants
The lowdown - Born in Troon, Lorna started dancing at the age of six and is now with the Scottish Ballet. A very artistic
person she takes classes in art, pottery and literature. If you are of an artistic nature you may also wish to invest in boots
as Lorna's are made for walking
Do talk about - Dancing, art
Don't mention - Bunions
(31) Ali Paton, Former Gladiator, 28
Lives - Morningside, Edinburgh
Form to date - At 5ft 11ins, Paton is a head-turner but most men are too meek to get beyond gawping
Catch her at - Indigo Yard, Montepeliers
The lowdown - Since the demise of Gladiators, has hosted STV's Summer Discovery
Don't mention - Chris Patten. While working as a quantity surveyor in Hong Kong, Paton was regularly assumed to be
related to the former Governor of Hong Kong
(32) Louise Mitchell, Director, Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 43
Lives - Glasgow
Catch her - At Chinese restaurants
Form to date - If music be the food of lovea Mitchell admits to being a romantic and likes nothing better than being wined
and dined. She's not desperately seeking love but everyone likes to be surprised once in a while
The lowdown - Blundered into a musical career after she was asked to escort a Hawick pipe band to France. Mitchell has
been director of the Royal Concert Hall for three years. Before that was the London Philharmonic's concert director
Don't mention - Mozart's Piano Concerto No 21 unless you are certain of your musical onions
(33) Jenny Saville, Artist, 29
Catch her - Squashed up against a glass screen in her studio
Form to date - Involvement can be intense. Has been known to paint her boyfriend's family
The lowdown - It's not hard to get up close to her: the big, nude self-portraits let you do that. Since training at Glasgow
School of Art, Saville has become one of the select band of British artists promoted by Charles Saatchi
Every picture tells a story - If you are looking for a portrait, note she rarely paints men. "I did invite men to model for one
picture but most ran away"
(34) Kate Heavenor, TV Presenter, 18
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Straight out of school. Anyway, children's presenters don't do that kind of thing
Catch her - In the green room for Fully Booked, partying with her pop idols
The lowdown - Plucked from the obscurity of BBC Choice, Heavenor has landed on her feet. Children and parents love
her equally - you could definitely take her home to meet your mother
When to avoid her - On a Sunday after the show, her cheery nature isn't on 24-hour duty
(35) Julie Gall, Downhill Skier, 29
Lives - With her mother in Symington, Ayrshire
Form to date - Just out of a 3-year relationship
Catch her - On the slopes
The lowdown - First hit the piste at Aviemore, aged five, and has raced for Britain for five years. Currently teaching young
Americans in Utah. She has trained as a cordon bleu chef
Woo her by - Practising parallel turns. Her ideal man is anyone who can ski better than her
(36) Georgina Borthwick, Estate Manager, 23
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - Singleton
Catch her - In the Capital, "wherever the evening takes her"
The lowdown - A country girl who was raised in the Borders she decamped to Newcastle to do a degree in countryside
management, before completing a masters at Aberdeen. Studies over, she is off to work for Strutt & Parker. Loves golf
and fishing
Do talk about - What the American Ryder wives thought they were playing at, the magnetic effect of pheromones on
Atlantic salmon
(37) Yvonne McKenna, Solicitor, 32
Lives - Glenrothes, Fife
Form to date - Being a legal eagle has left little time for romance, but her work brings her into contact with men who'll do
anything to get out of jail free
Catch her – At The Bilbirnie in Markinch
The lowdown - Has her own practice
Does she dance? - Used to attend Butlins' Seventies theme weekends
Do say - Voulez-vous, a-ha
Don't say - Hi-di-Hi
(38) Stephanie Norrie, Miss Scotland, 20
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Single and out there
Catch her – At the Miss World Finals at Olympia
The lowdown - Strangely, Stephanie managed to win the Miss Scotland title without even realising she had entered. After
defeating the other 25 finalists she is now off to the Miss UK and Miss World competitions. She is training as a midwife at
Glasgow Caledonian University
Do talk about - Working for world peace
Don't express - Politically correct views about beauty pageants
(39) Laura Fraser, Actor, 23
Lives - North London
Form to date - Fraser is in no hurry to launch herself into another relationship after her last finished eight months ago.
Past loves have included Phil Campbell, singer with White Buffalo, with whom she lived. Recently opted to take her
parents rather than a beau to the premiere of her latest film, Scottish football comedy The Match
Catch her - Indoors or out. Divides her time between the celebrity circuit and hiding out at home with a good book
The lowdown - First came to prominence in 1995's Small Faces, since when she's appeared in 11 films
Professional snogs - Include Leonardo DiCaprio and Max Beesley
(40) Lynn Harris, Garden designer, 37
Lives - Glasgow
Catch her - At the Glasgow Groucho club - or in a shed. She often sets up a temporary home in the garden she's working
on.
Form to date - Divorced, but very attached - to her five-year-old son, Freddy
The lowdown - The design whizz on the Beechgrove Garden, she has a knack for transforming the most barren patches
Be prepared - For nights in with Freddy
Steps to happiness - An ex-dancer, Harris is waiting for the man without two left feet to sweep her off hers
(41) Yvonne Savage, Senior Investment manager, 34
Lives - Edinburgh
Form to date - End of an eight year relationship at Christmas hasn't dampened her romantic side
Lowdown - Belfast-born, but has spent last 16 years here. Loves nothing more than a night at the opera
Do talk about - Bait and baking. Taking lessons in fly-fishing and cooking .
Don't mention - What you think she thinks. Finishing her sentences for her is a sure fire way of finishing the conversation
(42) Julie Hanson, Personal trainer, 43
Lives - Glasgow
Catch her - At Grouchos Form to date Divorced - her children visit their dad at weekends, leaving her free to party
The lowdown - Helped make Carol Smillie's post-pregnancy fitness video
How to wing it - Talk flying - she used to have a pilot's licence
(43) Karen Koren, Comedy promoter, 49
Lives - Craigleith, Edinburgh
Form to date - An air of mystery hangs over her romantic past. Two children
The lowdown - Runs Edinburgh's Gilded Balloon comedy club, which she founded in 1986. Past jobs include
hairdressing and working for the Norwegian consulate. She is comic Phil Kay's agent
Anything to worry about? - The phrase 'scary biscuits' was invented to describe her, though friends attest to a caring,
maternal streak
(44) Faith Liddell, Director, Edinburgh Book Festival, 34
Lives - Edinburgh
Catch her - Wandering around the chip shops of Leith after a night indulging on the Shore, says a friend
The lowdown - Born in Dalkeith and educated in Aberdeen and Edinburgh, Liddell has seen active service in just about
every field of the Scottish Arts world Needless to say, she regards reading as both a hobby and an indulgence. Also likes
cinema and theatre. Swims because she feels she ought to. Potential suitors had better have a current passport: she's
mad about travel
Don't say - I'm not reading that, I'll wait for the TV adaptation
(45) Dot Allison, Singer-Songwriter, 29
Lives - Islington, London
Form - Currently taken
The lowdown - Formerly with Scottish band One Dove, her super-smooth voice has clubbers looking to come down after
a night out. Allison's career was put on hold by after a serious car accident. Her debut solo album Afterglow has received
ecstatic reviews even before its release
Sense? - A friend describes her as "ludicrously down to earth"
Sensibility? - Her songs show an incurably romantic temperament. A broken heart in every chorus
(46) Natasha Kay, Nurse and Model, 28
Lives - Glasgow
Catch her - At home, studying for her BSC in Public Health
Form to date - Engaged once but she called it off 10 weeks before the wedding
The low down - Between shifts as a senior staff nurse at Glasgow Western Infirmary, she fits in the odd modelling shoot
for Model Team
Least likely to find her - Slumped over the bar at her local. Kay doesn't drink.
Heartbreaker? - Quite the opposite in fact. She's a cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) trainer
(47) Laura Hird, Novelist, 32
Lives - Edinburgh
Catch her - At her local, the Tynecastle Arms. "It's like a soap opera down there.''
Form to date - Thinks of herself as single, though there's a man in the shadows
The lowdown - Trendy publisher Canongate's latest hot writer. Though she's written several collections of short stories,
her first novel Born Free is out soon
(48) Alison Kennedy, Novelist, 33
Lives - Dundee
Form to date - Single at the moment but those heartbreaking stories can not all be from the imagination
The lowdown - Her prolific career since 1990 has tapped into a poetic style of Scottish prose
Wise words - There is a dark side to her writing. Watch out for the warning signs. This would be a case of words
speaking louder than actions
(49) Polly Maclehose, Student, 20
Lives - Newcastle during term time, but calls Edinburgh home
Form to date - Single and studious
Catch her - At sea or in lectures
The lowdown - Daughter of fashion designer Chris Clyne, Polly prefers to make friends and influence people for good
causes. Last year saw her on a four-month post teaching children in Belize. Now in her second year at Newcastle
University, Maclehose enjoys hockey, lacrosse and riding. She sailed with the Tall Ships and hopes to take part in the
millennium races.
Sartorial tip - A life-jacket would be an essential addition to your wardrobe
(50) Nicola Sturgeon, SNP MSP, 29
Lives - Glasgow
Form to date - Hard shell to crack. Denies all accusations of romanticism
Catch her - At Babbity Bowsters in Merchant City sinking a few drinks with friends, or at home with her nose in a
Christopher Brookmyre novel
The lowdown - Fully-fledged lawyer who has risen through the ranks of the SNP. Sturgeon has the ability to antagonise
even the most unflappable of opponents, so no doormats please
Do talk about - The Western Isles. A cosy weekend away with a kind and caring type, rolling in the heather and breathing
in the Celtic mist is her ideal date