Explore the real-world places that appear in Knots and Crosses 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 Great London Road Police Station, The Meadows, Oxford Bar, Arthur's Seat, Princes Street and 6 more.
Great London Road — Rebus's workplace
Detective Inspector John Rebus works from this station, coordinating the investigation into the child murders. Here he pores over the cryptic letters sent by the killer, trying to decode their meaning. The station becomes the nerve center of the hunt for the murderer, with Rebus often staying late into the night, chain-smoking and piecing together clues that his colleagues miss.
Great London Road Police Station served as one of Edinburgh's main police stations from the early 20th century. It housed CID operations and was the headquarters for serious crime investigation in the city's east end.
The building still stands but is no longer used as a police station. Modern police operations have been consolidated into newer facilities around Edinburgh.
Melville Drive — Public parkland
One of the child victims is found murdered in The Meadows, Edinburgh's large public park. The discovery sends shockwaves through the investigation team and the community. Rebus visits the crime scene, noting the deliberate placement of the body and the killer's apparent knowledge of the area. The location becomes central to understanding the murderer's psychological profile.
The Meadows was drained from the medieval Burgh Loch in the 1740s and transformed into public parkland. It has served as Edinburgh's central recreational space for over 250 years, hosting everything from circuses to political rallies.
The Meadows remains one of Edinburgh's most popular public parks, used by joggers, families, and students from nearby Edinburgh University. The park hosts festivals and outdoor events throughout the year.
Visit: The Meadows (park)
Young Street — Rebus's local pub
Rebus's favored drinking establishment, where he retreats to think through the case over pints and whisky. Here he meets informants, discusses theories with colleagues, and seeks solace from the pressures of the investigation. The pub serves as Rebus's unofficial second office, where some of his best insights into the case emerge through alcohol-fueled contemplation.
The Oxford Bar has been serving drinks since the 1890s, establishing itself as a traditional Edinburgh pub popular with locals and workers from the nearby New Town area.
The Oxford Bar remains open and has become famous as Inspector Rebus's fictional local. It attracts literary tourists and Rankin fans, while maintaining its character as an authentic Edinburgh pub.
Visit: The Oxford Bar (restaurant)
Holyrood Park — Ancient volcano
The ancient volcanic peak features in Rebus's investigation as he considers the killer's possible hideouts and vantage points over the city. The mountain's commanding view of Edinburgh makes it significant to understanding how the murderer might be surveying his hunting grounds. Rebus climbs Arthur's Seat to gain perspective both literally and figuratively on the case.
Arthur's Seat is the remains of an extinct volcano formed over 350 million years ago. It has been a sacred site since ancient times and offers the highest vantage point in Edinburgh at 823 feet above sea level.
Arthur's Seat remains one of Edinburgh's most popular hiking destinations, offering panoramic views over the city. It's part of Holyrood Park and attracts thousands of visitors annually who make the climb to its summit.
Visit: Arthur's Seat (landmark)
Edinburgh's main thoroughfare
Rebus walks Princes Street during his investigation, observing the crowds and considering how the killer might blend in among Edinburgh's bustling population. The street represents the public face of Edinburgh that the murders are terrorizing. Rebus uses the street as a thinking route, the familiar sights helping him process the complex web of clues.
Princes Street was laid out in the 1760s as part of Edinburgh's New Town development. Named after the future King George IV's sons, it became Edinburgh's premier shopping street and social promenade.
Princes Street remains Edinburgh's main shopping street, lined with department stores, shops, and restaurants. It offers stunning views across to the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle.
Visit: Princes Street (landmark)
Castlehill to Abbey Strand — Historic Old Town
The historic Royal Mile features in the investigation as Rebus explores connections between the murders and Edinburgh's dark past. The ancient closes and wynds off the Royal Mile provide potential hiding places that the killer might use. Rebus walks these historic streets, drawing parallels between past and present crimes in the city's long history of violence.
The Royal Mile has been Edinburgh's main street since medieval times, connecting Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. Its closes and wynds housed thousands in cramped conditions and witnessed centuries of Edinburgh's turbulent history.
The Royal Mile is now one of Edinburgh's premier tourist attractions, lined with shops, restaurants, and historic buildings. It forms the heart of Edinburgh's Old Town UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visit: Royal Mile (historic site)
Commercial Quay — Edinburgh's port area
The investigation leads Rebus to Edinburgh's gritty port area of Leith, following leads that connect to the killer's background. The docks provide a stark contrast to Edinburgh's tourist areas, representing the working-class reality where some of the case's key evidence emerges. Rebus questions dock workers and searches the industrial landscape for clues.
Leith has been Edinburgh's port since medieval times, serving as the entry point for goods and people coming to Scotland's capital. The docks were extensively developed in the 19th and 20th centuries for commercial shipping.
Leith has undergone significant regeneration, with the old docks now home to restaurants, offices, and the Scottish Government building. The area retains its maritime character while becoming increasingly gentrified.
Visit: Leith Waterfront (landmark)
Regent Road — Monument-topped hill
Rebus visits Calton Hill to survey Edinburgh from above, using its elevated position to think through the case from a new perspective. The hill's monuments and panoramic views help him visualize the killer's movements around the city. The location provides Rebus with the mental space needed to make crucial connections in the investigation.
Calton Hill has been topped with monuments since the early 19th century, including the National Monument and Nelson Monument. It served as Edinburgh's equivalent to the Acropolis and was part of the city's neoclassical development.
Calton Hill remains one of Edinburgh's most photographed viewpoints, offering spectacular views over the city. The hill and its monuments are popular with tourists and locals alike for walking and photography.
Visit: Calton Hill (landmark)
Castlehill — Ancient fortress
The castle looms over Rebus's investigation as a symbol of Edinburgh's enduring presence and dark history. Rebus reflects on how the fortress has witnessed centuries of violence and death, drawing parallels to the current murders. The castle's commanding position over the city mirrors how the killer seems to have psychological dominance over his victims and the investigation.
Edinburgh Castle has been a royal fortress since the 12th century, built on an extinct volcanic rock. It has served as a royal residence, military garrison, and prison throughout Scotland's turbulent history.
Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's most visited tourist attraction, housing the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny. It remains an active military base and hosts the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Visit: Edinburgh Castle (historic site)
Historic market square below the castle
Rebus investigates leads in the historic Grassmarket area, following connections that might link to the killer's activities. The area's pubs and shops provide cover for his inquiries, while its history of executions and crime resonates with the current case. Rebus meets contacts in the Grassmarket's shadowy corners, gathering intelligence crucial to solving the murders.
The Grassmarket was Edinburgh's main marketplace and site of public executions from the 15th to 18th centuries. The area housed taverns, markets, and was known for its rough character and connection to body snatchers and criminals.
The Grassmarket is now a vibrant area filled with pubs, restaurants, and shops. It retains its historic character while serving as a popular nightlife destination for both locals and tourists.
Visit: Grassmarket (historic site)
Nicolson Street — Medical history
The investigation leads Rebus to consider medical knowledge that the killer might possess, connecting to Edinburgh's famous medical history. The surgical expertise evident in the murders suggests the perpetrator has anatomical knowledge, making the city's medical institutions relevant to the case. Rebus explores how Edinburgh's tradition of medical education might relate to the killer's background.
The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was founded in 1505 and has been at the forefront of medical education and practice. The building houses one of the world's most important collections of surgical and medical artifacts.
Surgeons' Hall Museums display the history of surgery and medical practice, including exhibits on anatomy, pathology, and dental history. The museum attracts medical professionals and curious visitors from around the world.
Visit: Surgeons' Hall Museums (museum)
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