I AM always in a rush, usually because I always leave things to the last minute. From working out to the exact minute how long it takes me to get up, dressed, showered and into the studio for my Forth One radio show each day, to getting to rehearsals
for the King's Panto (is July too early to plug Robinson Crusoe at The King's?) down to catching time to see friends and family – not to mention watching the mighty Hibs – I never stop.
So, like many, I can't wait for a couple of weeks off to just chill out and do hee haw. Although in saying that, it usually takes me the best part of the first five days to unwind sufficiently to actually feel the benefit.
This summer we've made the decision not to pack up and jet off to Europe. That's right, no beach holidays in Ibiza or Majorca. Not even a long weekend to Barcelona or Madrid. You see, I'm pretty disorganised at the best of times and our holidays plans are usually left very, very late as I'm always hopeful of bagging a cracking last-minute deal.
These days, "cracking last-minute" deals tend to be about as rare as a non-dated 20 pence piece. With the euro as it is, we're not exactly getting a lot of bang for our buck either. Ten euros for a coffee? Five euros for a pint? Aye right!
This year, it's all about the "holiday at home". Staycations, holistays or whatever the neologism is (yes, that is quite a posh word for me). Like many Brits this summer, the Stotts have chosen to become tourists in our own city, and do you know what? I'm kinda lovin' it.
There are long lies in your very own bed, having everything imaginable to hand. The kids have all their home comforts, you can have a lie out in the garden without getting hacked off that some saddo has got up at stupid o'clock and nabbed all the sunbeds, and there's no chance of getting lost. All that's left to do is explore.
While my wife Claire and 12-year-old son Sam wanted to head out of the city to explore South Queensferry, my eight-year-old daughter Lori and I decided to be tourists for the day.
As I'm the new face of Ridacard, this trip is obviously going to include a trip on an Edinburgh Bus Tour, but Royal Edinburgh Tickets also include free entry to Edinburgh Castle, the Palace, and Royal Yacht Britannia, as well as two days unlimited travel on tour buses, so we can do the whole tourist thing. Thanks to a live guide, it was pretty educational too.
I travel through town almost every day in life and have recently been trying to ease away from the car and use the bike more. I've even explored some of our cracking cycle routes and in doing so, have seen a whole side of Edinburgh I never knew existed!
I've also started taking the bus which can get me into town in about 15 minutes, which given the trouble parking and getting anywhere centrally with tram works, is no mean feat, but this week I found it wasn't until I took the time to look around Edinburgh properly did I realise how much I've missed and taken for granted.
To actually stop and take in our city's buildings, layout and history, instead of wondering whether or not you're going to get through the next green light, can be quite an eye-opener.
What made it even more enjoyable for me was the fact that I had a very inquisitive little cohort who hung on to every word of wisdom I passed on – all of which, of course, was originally told to me, at a similar age, by my granny. The highlight was my granny's favourite – the story of Greyfriars Bobby, which still gets me to this day.
I've lost count of the amount of times I've heard people who have grown up in Edinburgh saying "the last time I was at Edinburgh Castle, was when I was at school", and to be honest, that's not too far from the case with me. I've been to various functions, events and gigs up there, but I cannot remember the last time I actually did the castle properly and wandered around, learning its history.
Even on a week day this place is heaving with tourists, which is normally enough to have any locals running a Royal Mile, but those views and the iconic skyline are worth the visit alone.
Lori and I found a quiet spot and just sat and looked out. No wonder folk travel hundreds and thousands of miles to come here.
Lori loved the palace, but was slightly disappointed to learn that no princesses actually lived there. We spent far too long in Dynamic Earth; another Edinburgh landmark where I have attended events, functions and even a wedding, but had never taken the time to actually go through at leisure. Yes, it is expensive at £9.50 for adults and £5.95 for kids but, packed with science and education and not to mention the astronomical adventures that are launching on 16 July, it is worth every penny. If only a place like this existed when I was a boy.
From there we explored Dr Neil's Garden, a secluded garden hidden in the lee of Arthur's Seat and next to Duddingston Loch, and the result of the work from doctors who created the garden on wasteland.
Let's get one thing straight: Edinburgh isn't cheap. In fact, as a tourist, you can easily end up spending a small fortune on all the landmarks. The castle is a whopping £13 for adults and £6.50 for kids, while Britannia can set you back £29.50 for the family, or £10 for adults and £6 for kids.
With Dynamic Earth, the Palace, Edinburgh Dungeons, and the myriad of galleries and museums available, the credit card can soon take a bit of a battering, but it seems Edinburgh's real tourists don't seem to mind.
"We've come from London where everything is much more expensive – Edinburgh is relatively cheap in comparison," said Mary Conran, 41, an American tourist from Connecticut.
Perhaps the value of the dollar has something to do with her generosity?
"Edinburgh is steeped with such a beautiful history and architecture that it is worth every penny. We are only going to do this once, and this holiday was booked last year. Irrespective of price, Edinburgh is worth it."
Student Brendan Mulhall, 21, from Dublin, agrees. "I'm loving it here, and have enjoyed spending time in the Grassmarket, the Royal Mile and the castle," he said.
"We started off with a bus tour to familiarise ourselves and even that was affordable in comparison with prices in Dublin. From there we've explored on foot which is priceless as a tourist."
Teacher Jane Rooke, 45, from the Lake District wasn't overly impressed with her diminishing holiday money, though.
"This is one expensive city break," she laughs. "The castle was a bit of a waste of money as it was so rammed but those views are impressive.
" I loved the ghost tour we did and the kids wanted to spend all day in the Dungeons. Great value for money there."
Our Royal Edinburgh ticket cost £18 for Lori and £38.50 for me, and we chose Portobello beach, Arthur's Seat and Ocean Terminal's funfair for some budget fun.
I have to say we managed to cram quite a bit into our first day, but, hey, as we live here, there isn't exactly a rush to do it all at once, is there?
The Grassmarket with all its tales is next on the holistay hit list, as well as a wee wander round Stockbridge and the Botanics with its stunning new entrance.
If only we were guaranteed the weather, I might never go abroad again!
