Author Chris Brookmyre shares his 'best bits' of Scotland

BEST BEACH

Probably my most treasured experience on a beach in Scotland was on Colonsay. I was at the book festival there a few years ago and someone suggested that I drive up to see this beach and when I did, I couldn't quite believe it. Colonsay actually gets quite a lot of sun, so even though it was May there was an azure sky. So, between that, the crystal clear of the water, and the fine grain of the sand, it was hard to believe I was standing on Scotland. It was so quiet, almost serene, so something of a meditative experience. I even went in for a paddle.

BEST BUILDING

This is the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street in Edinburgh. There’s something spectacular about it – almost a fairytale quality about it. It’s a beautiful colour and is imposing and has grandeur; it’s also craggy, without being sinister. My wife Marisa and I like to visit museums and galleries, but portrait galleries in particular – it’s always interesting to see interpretations of the human face. So, of course it was a massive thrill for us a few years ago to be part of a photographic exhibition in there; to see ourselves in that building.

BEST STREET

Part of me would stay in Queen Street Edinburgh because that's where the home of James Young Simpson stands at number 52. That has been a large part of Marissa and I’s writing career. I think I’ll choose Broughton Street though. We lived in Edinburgh for about four years back in the 90s and I always loved the atmosphere of Broughton Street. There was something very vibrant about it – something for the residents that never felt touristy. Of course, I was I my 20s at the time too – the time before any real responsibility! The Barony Bar and The Cask and Barrel were great haunts of mine and The Barony was one of my character Jack Parlabane’s favourite watering holes.

BEST CHILDHOOD MEMORY

That would be staying in a caravan in Ballantrae for my sixth birthday. I remember feeling really excited going off to a caravan, which obviously was very exotic at the time. I have memories of just running around the caravan site, but the strongest memory of that time is a smell. For my birthday I got an Airfix model of some sort of WW2 bomber. My dad was helping me assemble it, but for some reason we didn't have any glue. We ended up using my mum's nail varnish. Now, anytime I smell nail varnish, it transports me back to the happy days being away with my parents.

BEST WALK

I walk all the time, it’s actually how I work. Aside from that, Marisa and I love walking and one of our favourite places is up between Callendar and Strathyre.
This particular walk to Strathyre is through forest and along the lochside. And of course, any walk is better when you know that there's a good roll and bacon waiting for you at the end of it. There’s a fabulous wee café in Strathyre called The Broch so we have a bit to eat there and turn around.
Again I find that walk very calming - anytime I'm walking past a body of water I find it quite calming.

(Image: Getty Images)
BEST VIEW

One of the most jaw-dropping views I can ever remember is the Queen's View. It’s one of the few places that you see in paintings you can see it in photographs, but in reality, the paintings have in no way idealised it. On a clear day, the vividness of the green and blue. It really does make the heart soar. It's a place that lets us realise why people do fly thousands of miles to see what Scotland has to offer.

BEST SHOP

This is a struggle because all the shops I would frequent are definitely bookshops and I don't want to choose one over the other! I was chatting these topics over with Marisa and she did laugh at this one. I don’t linger in shops…

BEST SCOTTISH DELICACY

Haggis. I think haggis is remarkably versatile. I’m always curious to hear the reaction of people trying it for the first time. I remember reading Anthony Bourdain’s account of the first time he tried haggis - he was astonished. I don't think it's what people really expect, especially the fact it can be so spicy and peppery. I love the consistency of it. I love using it make other things like a Chicken Balmoral or haggis bonbons. Even the classic chippie deep fried haggis. It's always delicious.

BEST PLACE FOR SOME ALONE TIME

It's walking again. I like to walk fairly close to where I live down and there’s a great walk down by the Clyde and along to Bothwell Castle. The walk is absolutely beautiful. The castle almost takes you by surprise, because the river zigzags, so before you know the castle is there, you turn the corner and there it is. I’ve also conceived of many parts of novels walking down there. A great place to think.

The Cracked Mirror, Chris’s latest novel, is out now.