Plaid to the bone? Not quite. The Scotsman "wore a kilt when I was a child", he says, "but the ceremonial stuff has only become a part of my life since I live here in the U.S.

New York state of mind: "I lived in New York for five years, and came to L.A. to do GH," recalls Buchanan. "I thought I`d only do a couple of weeks, then move back to New York, but 10 years later, I`m still here."

Hit the road, Jack: Taking trips always has been a passion of the wanderer`s. "I feel very free when I travel," he admits. "It`s nice to be home, but I really like to be surrounded by unfamiliar things."

Ongoing friendships...Off-Screen

Ian Buchanan makes gal pals of his leading ladies.

The veteran of B&B and GH often mingles with his former colleagues - "I always see them around," he says - but he admits that there is a special place in his heart for two of his erstwhile on -screen love interests, Finola Hughes (who was Anna to his Duke on GH and now plays Alex on All my children) and Susan Flannery (whose Stephanie was paired with his James on B&B). "Susan and I went around the world the year before last," he reveals. "And Finola and I are still best friends."

Misc. Facts

Ian is a Gemini who celebrates his birthday on June 16

David Lynch (director of Twin Peaks) directed Ian in a TV commercial for Calvin Klein`s Obsession cologne

Ian is a vegetarian. "I`ve never liked the taste of meat."

The actor who makes his home in an apartement in the Hollywood Hills doesn`t drive! He prefers to walk as much as possible.

He is not married

Ian has been featured in layouts in Cosmopolitan and Playgirl magazines.

He enjoys wearing jeans and jackets in dark colours.

has scars on each thumb. One he got as a teenager while he was chiseling wood. The other when he cutted an apple on a film. The knife slipped and went though his thumb.

Most of the people around him tend to be elder than he is.

Word Game with Ian

Anchovy: Caesar salad. I love anchovies on pizza, too.

Belligerent: That`s me. Very belligerent and stubborn. I try not to be, but something just happens. The last time? Just a few days ago, with a friend.

Chanel: Fabulous, fashion is my life.

Doubt: I don`t much. It`s not a matter of self-confidence as much as simply taking full responsibility, and I`m realistically aware of my limitations.

Glasgow: Scotland`s River Clyde. When I was very young, my family would take a paddle-wheeler across the river to a little island near the Firth of Clyde. My grandparents had a house there and we`d stay for about a month. I`d play on the beach.

Transparent: I wish I could be transparent, invisible. Go through life without anyone paying attention to me. I really don`t know what to do with attention; I don`t trust it, don`t really know what it`s for.

Judgement: I`m very judgmental. It`s just part of my nature. I think we have to sometimes judge things harshly to protect ourselves.

Magic: I believe in magic. Life is magical.

Occult: Being Scotish, I`m familiar with pagan society. I`m also very superstitious. I don`t walk under ladders. In Scotland, you`d never dream of killing a spider, they`re considered fortuitous.

Quarrels: I like to quarrel, to debate emotionally. I`m a very dirthfighter, but I try to make it beneficial.

Literature: I love it and read about three books a week

Violin: I love the sound of the violin.

Yield. I don`t yield so easily. "When I make a commitment, I give it my all, do it completely. I yield to the task.

Warmth: a bed, fireplace, home and comfort.