Explore the real-world places that appear in Set in Darkness 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 Scottish Parliament Building Site, St. Leonard's Police Station, Deacon's House Café, The Oxford Bar, Edinburgh Castle and 5 more.
Holyrood Road — Construction site murder discovery
Inspector John Rebus discovers a body buried at the construction site of the new Scottish Parliament building. The victim is identified as Roddy Grieve, a missing person from decades earlier. This discovery becomes central to Rebus's investigation, linking past political corruption to present-day murder. The symbolism of finding buried secrets at Scotland's new seat of power is not lost on Rebus.
The Scottish Parliament building was under construction during the late 1990s when this novel is set. The controversial project faced numerous delays and cost overruns, becoming a symbol of post-devolution Scotland's growing pains.
The Scottish Parliament building opened in 2004 and serves as the home of the Scottish Parliament. Designed by Enric Miralles, it's now a major Edinburgh landmark offering public tours.
Visit: Scottish Parliament (tour)
St. Leonard's Street — Rebus's base of operations
This is where Inspector John Rebus is based, working under Detective Chief Inspector Gill Templer. Much of the investigation coordination happens here as Rebus pieces together the connection between the construction site body and various political figures. The station serves as Rebus's anchor point as he navigates the complex web of Edinburgh's political establishment.
St. Leonard's has been a police station since the Victorian era, serving the south side of Edinburgh's Old Town. It was one of Edinburgh's main police stations throughout the 20th century.
The building still stands on St. Leonard's Street but is no longer used as a police station. Police operations have been consolidated into other facilities around Edinburgh.
Brodie's Close, Royal Mile — Meeting place
Rebus frequently meets contacts and conducts informal interviews at this historic café located in one of the Royal Mile's atmospheric closes. The café provides a discreet location for sensitive conversations about the political implications of his investigation, away from the formal police environment.
Deacon's House dates back to the 16th century and was originally the meeting place for the Incorporation of Wrights and Masons. The building has served various purposes over the centuries, becoming a café in the late 20th century.
The Deacon's House continues to operate as a café and restaurant, offering visitors a chance to dine in a historic Royal Mile close with original stone walls and period features.
Visit: Deacon's House Café (restaurant)
Young Street — Rebus's regular pub
Rebus's favorite drinking establishment where he retreats to think through the case and meet informants. It's here that he often has his eureka moments about the investigation, nursing a pint while connecting the dots between the buried body, political corruption, and present-day murders. The pub serves as his unofficial second office.
The Oxford Bar has been a working-class pub since the 1970s, known for its no-nonsense atmosphere and lack of modern amenities like food service or music. It became famous as Ian Rankin's own local and Rebus's fictional hangout.
The Oxford Bar remains largely unchanged, still operating as a traditional Edinburgh pub. It has become a pilgrimage site for Rebus fans and features photos and memorabilia related to the books.
Visit: The Oxford Bar (restaurant)
Castlehill — Historic backdrop
The castle looms over much of Rebus's investigation, serving as a constant reminder of Edinburgh's layered history. Rebus reflects on how the city's ancient stones have witnessed centuries of political intrigue, drawing parallels to his current case involving buried secrets and political corruption.
Edinburgh Castle has been a royal fortress for over 1,000 years, serving as a symbol of Scottish independence and power. It has housed Scottish royalty, served as a military fortress, and been a political prison.
Edinburgh Castle is Scotland's most visited tourist attraction, housing the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and hosting the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo each summer.
Visit: Edinburgh Castle (historic site)
Canongate — Royal residence
The palace represents the established political order that Rebus's investigation threatens to expose. As he uncovers connections between historical political figures and the murder victim, the proximity of this symbol of authority adds weight to the potential scandal his investigation might reveal.
The Palace of Holyroodhouse has been the official residence of British monarchs in Scotland since the 16th century. It has been the site of many dramatic events in Scottish history, including the residence of Mary, Queen of Scots.
The palace serves as the official residence of the British Royal Family when in Scotland and is open to the public as a museum showcasing royal history and state apartments.
Visit: Palace of Holyroodhouse (historic site)
Holyrood Park — Edinburgh's ancient volcano
Rebus climbs Arthur's Seat to clear his head and gain perspective on his investigation. From this vantage point overlooking the city, he contemplates how Edinburgh's geological layers mirror the historical layers he's uncovering in his case - old secrets buried beneath the surface of respectability.
Arthur's Seat is an ancient volcano that formed the landscape of Edinburgh over 350 million years ago. It has been a sacred site for centuries and offers panoramic views over the city and Lothians.
Arthur's Seat remains a popular hiking destination within Holyrood Park, offering spectacular views over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth. It's freely accessible to the public year-round.
Visit: Arthur's Seat (park)
Historic market square — Informant meetings
Rebus meets with various informants and contacts in the pubs and corners of the Grassmarket as he tries to piece together the victim's background and connections to Edinburgh's political establishment. The area's history of executions seems fitting for his investigation into buried secrets.
The Grassmarket was Edinburgh's main marketplace for centuries and the site of public executions until 1784. It was a bustling center of trade and often a rough area of the city.
The Grassmarket is now a vibrant area filled with pubs, restaurants, and shops. It hosts weekend markets and is a popular nightlife destination while retaining its historic character.
Visit: Grassmarket (historic site)
From Castle to Palace — Historic thoroughfare
Rebus walks the Royal Mile frequently during his investigation, using the historic street to move between various locations connected to his case. The ancient cobblestones and medieval architecture serve as a constant reminder of Edinburgh's layered history, which parallels the layers of his investigation.
The Royal Mile has been Edinburgh's main street since medieval times, connecting Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. It consists of four separate streets and has been the heart of Scottish political and religious life for centuries.
The Royal Mile remains Edinburgh's most famous street, lined with shops, restaurants, museums, and historic sites. It's a major tourist attraction and UNESCO World Heritage site.
Visit: Royal Mile (historic site)
Edinburgh's main shopping street — Modern Edinburgh
Rebus navigates the bustling modern street as he pursues leads in his investigation, representing the contrast between Edinburgh's ancient past and its contemporary political aspirations. The street serves as a reminder of the Scotland that's emerging alongside the new Parliament.
Princes Street was built in the 18th century as part of Edinburgh's New Town development. It became the city's premier shopping street and has remained so for over 200 years.
Princes Street continues as Edinburgh's main shopping thoroughfare, lined with major retail stores and offering views across to the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle.
Visit: Princes Street (landmark)
More by Ian Rankin: Black and Blue locations map · Knots and Crosses locations map · The Falls locations map · All Ian Rankin books
More novels set in Edinburgh: Browse all Edinburgh books on Map A Story
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