My Home: Jimmy Boyle

Ex-con-turned-sculptor Jimmy Boyle took a traditional riad and moulded it into a pristine sanctuary in the heart of bustling Marrakech

From my background, growing up in Glasgow, I could never have imagined living anywhere like this or being interested in interiors, but it sort of happened by accident. In 2001 I was living in France. I came to Marrakech for four days with my girlfriend (the actress Kate Fenwick), and absolutely fell in love with the place. I went to see the estate agents, there were only two at the time, there are now dozens, saw 20 places and immediately bought an old riad.

I've since sold that house, and, 18 months ago, bought a plot where I've built a villa in the countryside just outside Marrakech, and this riad in the heart of the medina. The plan was to live mostly in the villa - where I have my studio and work as a sculptor - and use this house, which was a wreck when I bought it, as our "hangover pad", to stay in when we come to the city for parties.

This house lies in what we call "the Belgravia of the medina" as it's where most of the riads have been renovated. Marrakech is a very special place, there are now lots of wonderful restaurants and anyone who's in town tends to hang out together, so there are lots of parties. There are many creative people who are artists, writers and actors. Next door to me is Richard Branson's sister's riad where lots of famous stars have stayed. You can look over the wall and see people like Annie Lennox and Will Smith.

I'm now selling this house and the villa because my plans have changed, thanks to an impulse buy. I went to see an old farm, again in the countryside outside Marrakech, and it stole my heart. I'm now renovating that one to live in. It's got a gorgeous walled garden where I'm growing vegetables, and I know that it is the place for me; a place where I can sculpt and write to my heart's content.

Owning all these properties makes me feel that I've become a property developer. I'm so busy renovating and choosing things for my houses, that I've no time for my proper work, so I really want to get back to that. After all, I'm an artist not a hotelier.

I can't say I'll miss this place when I sell it. Hopefully I'll feel rather free, although I do love it and have enjoyed finding beautiful things for it. I travelled all over China, Thailand and India sourcing objects such as thecarved doors, which I found in India. It's got some wonderful pieces, but I'm selling it fully furnished as that's the norm here.

The best thing about the house is that I've tried to maximise the light and space and really open it up, as riads can be quite dark. Traditionally, they don't have windows opening out onto the streets, yet this one does. Internally I got the architect to install a spiral wooden staircase - it took him forever to come up with the plans, and was probably the biggest headache, but it works very well as it adds space and light.

The rooms are all centred around the courtyard and, although it has traditional features such as the fountain where I've restored the intricate tiling, it's surrounded by huge glass windows. It gives the riad a modern feel and has also brought the garden right into the house.

My favourite place is the roof terrace, with itsviews of Marrakech and the Koutoubia mosque. It's here that I'm writing a book. The book's about Marrakech and I'm trying to capture what it's like now. It's a fantastic period with all the writers, film-makers and the many wonderful Moroccan characters we know. It takes a certain type of person to live here - strong individuals who don't quite fit elsewhere. It's an extraordinary mix.

Jimmy Boyle's riad is for sale for £250,000 through Investment Adventures: 020-7087 8008; www.investment adventures.com

Once said to be one of the most violent men in Scotland, Jimmy Boyle was given a life sentence in 1967 for the murder of another gangland figure, William "Babs" Rooney. Boyle denies killing him.While in prison, he turned to art and wrote his autobiography. He now lives in Morocco, where he is a sculptor and writer.