Explore the real-world places that appear in Black and Blue by Ian Rankin. Each location on the map shows what happens there in the novel, the real history of the place, and what's there today. Featured locations include St. Leonard's Police Station, The Oxford Bar, Arden Street, Princes Street, Arthur's Seat and 5 more.
St. Leonard's Street — Rebus's home base
Detective Inspector John Rebus works from St. Leonard's, where he deals with colleagues who view him with suspicion due to his involvement in the Bible John investigation. The station serves as his sanctuary and battleground as he navigates office politics while pursuing the connection between current murders and the infamous 1960s serial killer case.
St. Leonard's Police Station served Edinburgh's south side for decades, handling everything from petty crime to major investigations. The Victorian-era building was a cornerstone of local law enforcement in one of Edinburgh's most diverse neighborhoods.
The original police station building no longer operates as a police facility. The area has been redeveloped, though some of the original Victorian architecture remains visible in the surrounding streets.
Young Street — Rebus's drinking sanctuary
The Ox is Rebus's regular haunt, where he retreats to drink whisky and think through cases. Here he meets informants, argues with colleagues, and often has his most important breakthroughs. The bar's regulars include characters who provide crucial information about Edinburgh's criminal underworld and the Bible John connections.
The Oxford Bar opened in 1906 and quickly became a no-frills drinking establishment favored by locals. Its unadorned interior and lack of pretension made it a genuine working-class pub in Edinburgh's New Town.
The Oxford Bar still operates as a traditional Scottish pub and has become a pilgrimage site for Ian Rankin fans. The author himself is a regular customer, and the bar embraces its literary connection with Rebus memorabilia.
Visit: The Oxford Bar (restaurant)
Marchmont — Rebus's flat
Rebus lives alone in his sparse flat on Arden Street, surrounded by books, records, and the detritus of his failed relationships. The flat serves as his refuge where he pores over Bible John case files, drinks whisky, and contemplates the connections between past and present murders that haunt the investigation.
Arden Street is part of the Marchmont area, developed in the late 19th century as middle-class housing. The Victorian tenement buildings housed Edinburgh's growing professional class and their families.
Arden Street remains a residential area popular with students and professionals. The Victorian tenement buildings have been converted into flats, maintaining much of their original character.
Edinburgh's main shopping street
Rebus walks along Princes Street during the investigation, observing the contrast between Edinburgh's public face and its hidden criminal underworld. The bustling shopping district provides a backdrop for surveillance operations and chance encounters with suspects connected to both current murders and the historic Bible John case.
Princes Street was laid out in the 1760s as part of Edinburgh's New Town development. It became the city's premier shopping destination, with major department stores and hotels lining the thoroughfare opposite the gardens and castle.
Princes Street remains Edinburgh's main commercial street, though many historic buildings have been replaced by modern shops. The street offers spectacular views of Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town across Princes Street Gardens.
Visit: Princes Street (landmark)
Holyrood Park — Edinburgh's extinct volcano
The ancient volcanic hill provides a contemplative setting where Rebus often walks to clear his head during the complex investigation. The panoramic views of Edinburgh help him gain perspective on the case as he tries to connect the dots between the Bible John murders and current killings plaguing the city.
Arthur's Seat is an extinct volcano that last erupted around 340 million years ago. The 823-foot peak has been a significant landmark since ancient times, with evidence of Iron Age hill fort settlements on its slopes.
Arthur's Seat remains one of Edinburgh's most popular hiking destinations, offering 360-degree views of the city. The hill is part of Holyrood Park and attracts thousands of visitors annually who climb to its summit.
Visit: Arthur's Seat (park)
Edinburgh's port district
The gritty port area of Leith features in the investigation as Rebus pursues leads connected to Edinburgh's criminal underworld. The docks and surrounding streets provide hiding places for suspects and witnesses, while the area's rough reputation mirrors the dark themes of both the current murders and the Bible John case.
Leith served as Edinburgh's port for centuries, handling trade with Europe and beyond. The area developed a distinct working-class character, separate from Edinburgh proper, with docks, warehouses, and tenements housing maritime workers.
Leith has undergone significant regeneration since the 1980s, transforming from a declining port into a trendy area with restaurants, bars, and the Scottish Government building. Some original docks and warehouses have been converted to modern uses.
Visit: Leith Historic District (historic site)
From Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace
Rebus navigates the historic Royal Mile during his investigation, using the ancient street's network of closes and wynds to track suspects and gather information. The medieval street's hidden passages mirror the hidden connections he seeks between the Bible John case and current murders terrorizing Edinburgh.
The Royal Mile forms the backbone of Edinburgh's Old Town, connecting the castle to Holyrood Palace. Dating from the 12th century, it became the main thoroughfare of medieval Edinburgh, lined with tall tenements and closes leading off the main street.
The Royal Mile is now Edinburgh's premier tourist destination, lined with shops, restaurants, and attractions. Many of the historic closes and wynds remain accessible to visitors, offering glimpses of medieval Edinburgh.
Visit: Royal Mile (historic site)
Historic market square and execution site
The historic Grassmarket, with its dark history of public executions, provides an atmospheric setting for crucial scenes in Rebus's investigation. The area's pubs and shadowy corners become meeting places for informants and suspects as he delves deeper into connections between Edinburgh's criminal past and present.
The Grassmarket served as Edinburgh's main marketplace from the 15th century and was the site of public executions until 1784. The square was surrounded by inns and taverns serving merchants and travelers, creating a bustling but often dangerous atmosphere.
The Grassmarket is now a vibrant area filled with pubs, restaurants, and shops. A memorial marks the spot where over 100 Covenanters were executed in the 17th century, and the area remains popular with both locals and tourists.
Visit: Grassmarket (historic site)
National Monument and observatory
Calton Hill provides another vantage point for Rebus's contemplation of the case, its monuments serving as a backdrop for meetings with colleagues and informants. The hill's elevated position offers views across Edinburgh that help Rebus visualize the geography of the crimes he's investigating.
Calton Hill became Edinburgh's 'modern Athens' in the 19th century, crowned with neoclassical monuments including the unfinished National Monument, the Nelson Monument, and the City Observatory. The hill served as both a place of learning and civic pride.
Calton Hill remains one of Edinburgh's most photographed locations, offering spectacular views of the city. The monuments are maintained as historic attractions, and the hill is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.
Visit: Calton Hill (historic site)
The city's ancient fortress
The castle's imposing presence looms over Rebus's investigation, its ancient stones witnessing centuries of Edinburgh's dark history. As he pursues leads connected to the Bible John case, the fortress serves as a constant reminder of the city's capacity for both protection and violence.
Edinburgh Castle has dominated the city's skyline since at least the 12th century, built on the plug of an extinct volcano. It served as a royal residence, military garrison, and prison, playing crucial roles in Scottish history including the Wars of Independence.
Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's most visited tourist attraction, housing the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and military museums. The fortress continues to serve ceremonial functions and fires the famous One O'Clock Gun daily.
Visit: Edinburgh Castle (historic site)
More by Ian Rankin: Knots and Crosses locations map · The Falls locations map · Set in Darkness locations map · All Ian Rankin books
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