Kirsty Wark's My London

Home is…

Glasgow, with my family.

Where do you stay in London?

We have a very central apartment; it overlooks the most extraordinary architectural display of chimneypots, which is endlessly fascinating to me.

Building you’d most like to buy?

Any property overlooking Regent’s Park. Looking out to see greenery in the middle of London is a joy.

Earliest London memory?

Arriving at Euston: it was the biggest station I’d ever been to and one of the least attractive. I was 20 and visiting friends.

Last play you saw?

Blurred Lines by Nick Payne at the National Theatre Shed, a feminist riposte to the Robin Thicke video.

Best place for a nightcap?

The Riding House Café, but I’d have to check it had an Arran malt first.

First thing you do when you arrive in town?

I have an obsession with stationery so I mooch around Liberty’s stationery department.

Favourite shops?

Kaffeine on Great Titchfield Street for a skinny flat white and a wonderful feta cheese and coriander muffin. Daunt Books on Marylebone High Street for browsing; I’m also a big fan of the Oxfam bookshop there. For clothes, I like Margaret Howell on Wigmore Street. I have a shoe problem so any shoe shop will do, but I like Topshop Premium at the moment.

Best place to let your hair down?

J Sheekey for late-night fish ’n’ chips — it’s fun and intimate.

Most romantic thing someone’s done for you?

Shared a bottle of Sancerre with me at night on our balcony.

Best thing a cabbie has said to you?

‘I recognise your voice. Are you that Scottish girl off the telly?’

Have you ever had a run-in with a London policeman?

No, I don’t think I’ve ever even spoken to one.

Building you’d like to be locked in overnight?

I’d love to explore the V&A but I’d be terrified.

What would you do as Mayor for the day?

I would change people’s habits by playing music on every street corner. It might make people a bit more courteous and barge less on the streets.

Favourite discovery?

Cloth House on Berwick Street — it has brilliant fabrics from different continents and they’re all ethically produced.

Best place for a first date?

The Wolseley in the morning. It has an elegant and exciting feel.

Who do you call when you want to have fun?

My BBC friends: Basil Comely, who is one of the best gossips, and Tanya Hudson, one of my oldest friends in London.

Best meal?

Salt Yard on Goodge Street for its inventive tapas. I love the morcilla and the crispy baby squid.

Best piece of advice you’ve been given?

From my father: be true to yourself and keep working hard.

Last album you bought?

I got an advance copy of Natalie Merchant’s new album, which I’m very happy about.

Biggest extravagance?

Shoes, shoes, shoes. I own 40 or 50 pairs. They’re all over the place, in London, Glasgow or abroad — which is an excuse to buy more. I’ve been known to buy two pairs of the same shoe, especially if there’s 50 per cent off in Prada.

At the moment you are…

Promoting my debut novel at literary festivals. I’m so used to being an interviewer, it’s quite strange being interviewed.