During the 2012 Edinburgh Science Festival, I will be conducting a special 2 hour walking tour entitled Walking with Scientists. This tour will leave the foyer of the Festival Theatre at 1p.m. on Friday 30th March, Thursday and Friday 5th and 6th April and Thursday and Friday 12th and 13th April.

2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the writing of the first Rebus novel Knots and Crosses. Look out for special events on this site.

As part of the Rebustours 10th Anniversary Celebrations, Colin Brown conducted a Special Charity Tour in June 2010. This special one-off tour finished in the downstairs lounge of the Royal Oak pub, where the guests met Ian Rankin. He chatted and answered questions for an hour and a half. We all felt that we could have gone on for days, talking about Rebus, writing and Edinburgh. The event raised over £900 for the charity Kindred.

Last year,  I was again asked to provide a special Rebustour as part of the Edinburgh Peoples Festival. This important  event features Art and Performances that are “For the People, By the People” of Edinburgh. I was honoured to conduct a tour on Monday 9th August, starting in The Royal Oak pub at 6.30p.m.

In 2011 the Body Politic tour  changed it’s name to the Secret Edinburgh tour.

Under the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, not far from Princes Street and adjacent to the High Street or Royal Mile, Rebustours offer the perfect friendly, humorous and informative introduction to this most ancient, mysterious and fascinating of European capitals. Both tours are conducted on a Saturday; the Hidden Edinburgh tour from 12p.m. until 2p.m. and the Secret Edinburgh tour from 3p.m. till 5. The tours leave the Royal Oak pub in Infirmary Street.

It is not necessary to have read a Rebus book, as all the tours feature Edinburgh and Scottish history. There are some Rebus readings, and we visit several Rebus scenes. In order to maintain an element of surprise, I do not explain in advance where these are. Please arrive early, as I start promptly. Both tours cost £10 per person, payable on the day. If this is convenient, then please confirm. Please also consult the Rebustours web site or phone 0131-553-7473 nearer the time just to ensure that the tour is still taking place.

Visit a sporting event. Details can be found on the back pages of the local newspaper; or ask a local to tell you when and where the next soccer, rugby or indoor sporting activity is taking place. This will allow you to see the Scots at their most passionate, gregarious and demonstrative. Be sure to wear neutral colours.

Travel by bus. It is a cheap, clean and efficient means of getting around the City. The bus service is well used by the locals, and you will discover the meaning of the Scots word “dour”.

Frequent the bars and restaurants. They are convivial places of entertainment and the locals are always delighted to provide you with advice and opinions, if you approach them in a suitably friendly manner.

Enjoy your stay.