This is a Global Player Original podcast.

Please can you give a very warm welcome to our guest today in Blackford, MP.

Now, have you ever listened to an episode of Four the Many?

I have to be honest, I'm probably the world's worst person when it comes to listen to podcasts.

I think I've ever actually listened to a podcast, Ian.

Excellent.

I should make an effort and listen to your one, so you've got me on that.

You do know that podcasts can be a little bit more relaxed and in our case, filthy, don't you?

I do.

Are you up for it, so to speak?

I think as a politician, as you were once as well Jackie I think we're always

fair game aren't we? Indeed. So you were at one point or another you came from Edinburgh.

Didn't you? So you've lived in Edinburgh. Tell us about what people really think about the festival if they actually live in Edinburgh?

Well it's a long time since I've lived here. I've not lived in Edinburgh for a few decades,

but certainly growing up as a youngster, as a child, it was an exciting time. The city came to life.

I guess growing up in Edinburgh in the 1960s,

it would be fair to say it was a bit of a dear grey place.

And to have that excitement that came with the festival,

it was absolutely fantastic.

I mean, I suppose if I think now,

living in a place like I do, like the Isle of Sky, Edinburgh and Sky are both tourist destinations and we need them to be tourist destinations.

We need the places to be busy. We need people to come here and spend money.

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