Ian Rankin says he regrets not buying his own pub in Edinburgh
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Speaking to Lockdown Litfest's Paul Blezard's podcast, the Capital-based writer said he's been dying to get back to his beloved Oxford Bar in Edinburgh's New Town for a pint after two months of social distancing rules.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdThe bestselling author was recently pictured outside the Young Street boozer enjoying a pint on the occasion of his 60th birthday - although he couldn't actually purchase a tipple from the bar itself because of the lockdown, so had brought along his own instead.
Now, the Covid-19 pandemic has left him regretting not buying his own pub in Auld Reekie.
He said: “I could murder a pint right now. I can’t believe that I still haven’t bought my own pub and, of course, am now really regretting not having done so. I’m missing it.”
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"Am I being serious? It would be a damn good idea, especially at a time like this.”
The creator of the Inspector Rebus novels revealed that he first visited The Oxford Bar while he was writing the first Rebus novel, Knots and Crosses.
He said: “I was introduced to The Oxford by a student friend of mine. He was a part-time barman and I was just at the start of writing the first Rebus novel.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad“I looked at it and thought, ‘This is where my guy would drink.’ It’s no bells, no whistles, central Edinburgh, hidden away, there’s no music, no jukebox, the TV is hardly ever on.
"It was all about conversation, a nice safe place to have a chat, wind down, and escape from the real world.
“So that’s where Rebus drinks and I have been drinking there since about 1984 or 85, I guess.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide Ad"I had my stag party in there in July 86 before I got married.
“I had my last drink in there the day before the lockdown.
"I happened to walk past and thought, ‘I’ll just see how they’re doing’."
A Message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.
Advertisement
Hide AdAdvertisement
Hide AdIn order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.
Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.
With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.
Thank you
Joy Yates
Editorial Director
Comment Guidelines
National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.