Formula One legend and broadcaster David Coulthard describes his coastal childhood, growing up in the south-west of Scotland, and what the sea means to him. WORDS: Interview Alex Reece

I have very fond memories of the coastline in the southwest of Scotland – of going to school in Kirkcudbright, and being right there in the fishing port. I remember going down to Sandgreen, which is a little beach area not far from Twynholm, the village where I grew up.

I think there's something idyllic and unchanging about the southwest of Scotland that hasn't really been affected by too much modern development. It has soft rolling hills down towards the beach, so it's not very rugged and craggy. There are sandy beaches but not miles and miles of shore to walk along. They're very fairly defined areas, which I think gives an intimacy and a feeling of belonging to one space.

There's a little island called Little Ross Island – which you go out to from Kirkcudbright – and which I went to recently with my mum and dad, and my brother. I took my son out there, too. At the time, the island, funnily enough, was for sale. There was a brief moment where I was thinking: 'Ah, I should do that!' And then I remembered that I live in the South of France.

As a kid, I recall playing on the beach and sailing on the lochs with the Cubs and the Boy Scouts. My nine-year-old son is in a sailing club now in Monaco using little Lasers and doing what I did – but on the Mediterranean rather than on a Scottish loch!

I've got a motorboat, but when you live a travelling lifestyle, there isn't really the moment for: 'OK, let's go sailing for the day.' Outside of my broadcasting role, I've got a production company called Whisper Films, we're big in sports broadcasting. I have an events company called Velocity and we organise promotional events – we've been working with Formula One.

I get a feeling of peace and tranquility when I look at the sea from my apartment that I've lived in for the last 23 years, which overlooks the coast. And I looked out of my school window at the sea, so for me, it represents calm. There's nothing I enjoy more than watching the sun rise and see the port come alive. It's moving art, so I love it.

For more details, see: whisperfilms.co.uk and velocityexperience.com.

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