John Rebus pilgrimage
For those who are aware of my literary tastes, will know that I am not a voracious reader of Crime novels. They very rarely appeal to me and I am not particularly enlivened by the idea of the police drama, etc. There are two very notable exceptions to this rule for me. Two authors; Agatha Christie, and another, Ian Rankin.
As planets can align then 2017 has seen, oddly, an alignment here, too. In August we visited the summer property of Agatha Christie, Greensway. A particularly attractive house set into a stunning view on the river Dart, in Devon.
The second opportunity presented itself when we decided to visit Scotland and knew we were going into Edinburgh. This is the John Rebus pilgrimage. John Rebus, is to Ian Rankin what Hercule Poirot is to Agathat Christie. However, this is the end of the comparison. John Rebus is a native of Edinburgh, who served in the Army when he was younger but then returned to the city and became a detective. And this is where the books start. Ian Rankin has written 20+ Rebus stories. They have been translated all over the world and there are quite a few Rebus tours in and around Edinburgh that take in the major areas from some of the novels.
It was too good of an opportunity to miss. There is a place in Edinburgh, a bar, which is the most famous place in the books. It is John Rebus' local pub, The Oxford Bar.
As planets can align then 2017 has seen, oddly, an alignment here, too. In August we visited the summer property of Agatha Christie, Greensway. A particularly attractive house set into a stunning view on the river Dart, in Devon.
The second opportunity presented itself when we decided to visit Scotland and knew we were going into Edinburgh. This is the John Rebus pilgrimage. John Rebus, is to Ian Rankin what Hercule Poirot is to Agathat Christie. However, this is the end of the comparison. John Rebus is a native of Edinburgh, who served in the Army when he was younger but then returned to the city and became a detective. And this is where the books start. Ian Rankin has written 20+ Rebus stories. They have been translated all over the world and there are quite a few Rebus tours in and around Edinburgh that take in the major areas from some of the novels.
It was too good of an opportunity to miss. There is a place in Edinburgh, a bar, which is the most famous place in the books. It is John Rebus' local pub, The Oxford Bar.
Located a few streets parallel to what is called the golden mile in Edinburgh, the Oxford bar is quite an old pub. It also happens to be the local of the author as well. A friend of mine attended a book festival and saw Rankin speaking and he also mentioned that the great villain of the novels, Big Ger Cafferty lives in the house of the author. John Revuanlives in his pub. I guess having such familiar environments helps you remember them when describing these places in the books.
So, tired after our trip to Edinburgh castle I dragged the family towards the Oxford Bar for a one off trip of pilgrimage. Not important to them of course, but to me it was one of the highlights of my trip to the Scotland.
And who knows, maybe next time I can go in and have a pint. Now that would complete the pilgrimage.
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