WHEEL LIFE

FIRST CAR?

My first car was a 1996 Ford Fiesta LX called Frank (named after one of my biggest inspirations, my late Uncle Frank). It was advertised for £495 but with some friendly haggling I managed to pick it up for a clean £400. Jackpot! I’ve always had a sense of adventure but the freedom from owning my own car was, and still is, a game changer.

CURRENT CAR?

I’m still driving Frank. I only passed my test a little over a year ago, and with just 70,000 miles on the clock, Frank is still a spring chicken. My favourite thing about Frank, and older cars in general, is that on the rare occasion that something does go wrong, it’s really easy and cheap to fix.

DREAM CAR?

I wouldn’t mind taking a Shelby Mustang GT500 for a test drive. I don’t think I’d swap Frank for anything but I might go down the route of a VW camper or similar. I’ve always loved the idea of being able to live in a van. Plus, with hair like mine, a VW camper would really complete the skater/hippy look.

FAVOURITE PLACE TO DRIVE?

I love going out for a drive and seeing where the road takes me. My favourite place to go nearby is Loch Earn, a 20-minute drive from my hometown of Crieff. My girlfriend and I often load up the car with camping gear and head up to Loch Tay, Glencoe or the Cairngorms for a few nights.

LEAST FAVOURITE PLACE TO DRIVE?

I’d say driving in cities is my least favourite. I remember being halfway along Princes Street in Edinburgh before realising only taxis and buses are allowed to drive along it.

ROAD TRIP SOUNDTRACK?

My top driving songs include Sly by The Cat Empire, an amazing, uplifting band; Criminal by Eminem – apologies if you have ever seen me out driving, screaming out the lyrics with the windows down – and Who Says by John Mayer.

IDEAL PASSENGERS?

My girlfriend and my friends have all ridden shotgun in Frank many a time. I’m currently in rehearsals for The Phoenix and the Crow and I’ve grown so close to the guys I’m working with, they’d be first choice right now. But I’d love to take a road trip with comedian Kevin Bridges because he is so funny, TV presenter Louis Theroux, who would be full of entertaining stories, and Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon, the creators of the animated show Rick and Morty. I would love to be a fly on the wall during any of their conversations.

Jake McGarry stars in The Phoenix and The Crow at the Fringe (Venue 18: Sweet Venues Grassmarket) from August 14 to 20. Tickets from www.tickets.edfringe.com Jake was talking to ANN WALLACE

When not driving Frank, the Fiesta LX, Jake McGarry would consider life on the road in a VW camper, left