Author Ian Rankin is best known for his detective character Rebus, and now he is to mark the thirtieth anniversary with a festival of literature, music, art and film.
Rankin is a music lover and he is also a big supporter of The Queen’s Hall in Nicolson Street, so it is no surprise that he has decided to site a part of the festival there.
The detective is a whisky swilling rogue with a history of his own, with a wife somewhere in his past along and a young daughter.
Here’s Ian Rankin inviting all his fans to Edinburgh from 30 June to 2 July for #RebusFest pic.twitter.com/faB51tbVfw
— Edinburgh Reporter (@EdinReporter) 17 March 2017
Rankin’s writing careers began with Knots & Crosses in March 1985 when he first penned a tale about his now famous detective. Although not initially intended as a series Rankin was intrigued enough with Rebus that he brought him into another novel Hide & Seek.
RebusFest will take place over the weekend of 30 June to 2 July 2017 with loads for real fans and readers to get to know about the character.
Ian Rankin says: “I had no idea when I published KNOTS AND CROSSES in 1987 that Rebus would still be sharing his adventures – and misadventures – with me thirty years later. It’s a thrill to be spending 2017 celebrating the man, his legacy, and his taste in music. Central to this is RebusFest – a weekend festival in Edinburgh of all things Rebus. I just hope he enjoys all the hoopla – I need him to still be speaking to me afterwards…”
The festival, curated by Ian Rankin, will include interactive events, live music, walking tours, screenings, and food and drink, as well as talks on the historic and contemporary influences on Rebus. Experts, artists and performers will join Ian across the weekend to provide a unique insight into one of the most significant and best-loved characters in crime fiction.
The programme includes whisky, music and a Rebus quiz.
FRIDAY 30TH JUNE
4.30pm, HIGHLAND PARK WHISKY MASTERCLASS
At: Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Join us for this exclusive Highland Park whisky tasting at the Caledonian Hotel, a well-known Edinburgh (and Rebus) landmark). Hosted by Martin Markvardsen, the brand’s Senior Brand Ambassador, he will walk you through why Highland Park stands apart from other single malt Scotch whiskies and why Rebus is a fan. The tasting will include 4 special Highland Park whiskies including Highland Park Rebus30, 10 Year Old.
Duration: 1 hour. Tickets: £20.
7.30 pm, A NIGHT OUT WITH REBUS, FEATURING IAN RANKIN AND GUESTS
At: Queen’s Hall, Clerk Street
Immerse yourself in the world of John Rebus with an evening of spoken word and live music, curated by and featuring Ian Rankin. Confirmed artists include Blue Rose Code, Michael Weston King and Kirsty Law.
Includes book signing with Ian Rankin after the event.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 mins approx. Tickets £20.50 and £22.50.
Buy tickets here, or by calling 0131 668 2019.
SATURDAY 1ST JULY
11am, WRITTEN IN BLOOD: A CRIME WRITING WORKSHOP
At: National Musuem of Scotland
Inspired by the collections of the National Museum of Scotland, author Doug Johnstone will lead this workshop on writing crime fiction. Doug has published eight novels, most recently Crash Land (Faber & Faber). His novel The Jump, was a finalist for the McIlvanney Prize for Scottish Crime Novel of the Year in 2016. Designed for aspiring crime fiction authors of all levels , this workshop will focus on developing essential skills in crime writing and explore the techniques behind character, plot, dialogue, pacing and atmosphere.
Duration: 5 hours. Tickets £45, £40 for members and concessions.
For information and how to book call 0300 123 6789 or click here
1.15pm, EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL PRESENT Reichenbach Falls screening plus Q&A with Ian Rankin
At: Edinburgh Filmhouse, Lothian Road
A special EIFF event to launch Filmhouse’s new Guest Programmer initiative, which also screens as part of Rebusfest – a festival of literature, music, art and film in Ian Rankin and Rebus’ hometown of Edinburgh.
Reichenbach Falls : Wry and obsessive DI Buchan is a cop on the edge; suave and self-assured Jack Harvey is a best-selling crime novelist with the world at his feet. As Buchan probes a 100-year-old cold case, his investigation takes him on a journey into the Scottish capital’s literary past that will cause him to question his very existence and set him on a collision course with his onetime friend…
Written by James Mavor and based on an original idea by Ian Rankin, Reichenbach Falls (commissioned as part of BBC Four’s fifth birthday celebrations) is a captivating crime drama that reflects Rankin’s enduring fascination with his home town of Edinburgh.
Duration: 2 hours, 45 mins
Tickets: £8/£6 concessions. Buy here.
4.30pm, HIGHLAND PARK WHISKY MASTERCLASS
At: Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Join us for this exclusive Highland Park whisky tasting at the Caledonian Hotel, a well-known Edinburgh (and Rebus) landmark). Hosted by Martin Markvardsen, the brand’s Senior Brand Ambassador, he will walk you through why Highland Park stands apart from other single malt Scotch whiskies and why Rebus is a fan. The tasting will include 4 special Highland Park whiskies including Highland Park Rebus30, 10 Year Old.
Duration: 1 hour. Tickets: £20.
7.30pm, REBUSFEST AND ASSEMBLY ROOMS PRESENT: MAKING A DETECTIVE. With Ian Rankin and special guests
At: Assembly Rooms, George St
Explore the making of one of the world’s most famous detectives as Ian Rankin reveals his inspiration for Rebus, where he came from and how he thinks.
Ian will be joined by a panel of experts to discuss Edinburgh’s criminal underworld, past and present, as well as forensics and detectives from Police Scotland to reveal what REALLY happens in a crime investigation.
Includes book signing with Ian Rankin after the event.
Duration: 2 hours, 30 mins approx. Tickets £20
Buy your tickets here
SUNDAY 2ND JULY
1pm, REBUSFEST QUIZ: SO YOU THINK YOU KNOW REBUS? Co-hosted by Ian Rankin
At: Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian
Join Ian Rankin and friends to test your knowledge of 30 years of his Rebus novels. Prizes to be won for the best boffs. Ticket includes sandwiches, tea and coffee.
Duration: 1 hour, 30 mins approx. Tickets £10.
3pm, THE MYSTERY OF THE MINIATURE COFFINS, CURATOR TALK
At: National Museum of Scotland
In 1836, a group of boys headed out to Arthur’s Seat to hunt for rabbits. In a secluded spot, the boys discovered a small cave in the rock. Concealed within were 17 miniature coffins. Now on display at the National Museum of Scotland and a key feature of the 2001 Rebus thriller The Falls, these tiny coffins continue to excite and intrigue visitors.
Join Alison Sheridan, Principal Curator of Archaeology to explore the many theories put forward to explain their strange tale.
Duration: 45 mins, Free but ticketed
For more information and how to book call 0300 123 6789 or click here
ALL WEEKEND EVENTS
REBUS WALKING TOUR
Friday/Saturday/Sunday, twice daily, 12pm & 3pm
Meet: Royal Oak Pub, Infirmary Street
Experience the dark and hidden world of Ian Rankin’s bestselling Rebus novels and discover the history and mystery of the real locations, with stunning views of some of Edinburgh’s unexplored areas.
Duration: 2 hours, Tickets £10. Find out more here – SOLD OUT
REBUS 30 EXHIBITION
At: WRITERS MUSEUM, ROYAL MILE
Friday/Saturday 10am – 5pm, Sunday 12 – 5pm
An exhibition exploring the relationship between Ian Rankin and Rebus, and both men’s connections with this city, its history, people and literary figures of the past. On display for the first time will be selection of personal items, manuscripts and images belonging to Ian Rankin.
FREE, JUST TURN UP.
MUSEUM NOIR TRAIL
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND, Chambers Street
Daily, 10am – 5pm
Explore intriguing exhibits at the National Museum of Scotland, selected by author Ian Rankin, which reveal stories of crime, punishment and death in Scotland’s past.
This free, self-guided trail is available from 30 June from the Museum Information Desks or as a download: www.nms.ac.uk/rebusfest
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
