We take you on a tour of Rebus’s Edinburgh and discover where the hit BBC drama has been filmed

By

Published: Friday, 17 May 2024 at 17:23 PM


The BBC’s popular gritty detective drama Rebus centres around a young Scottish detective sergeant who becomes entangled in a brutal criminal feud that becomes deeply personal… 

Author of the books the drama is based on, Ian Rankin describes Rebus as ‘dark, brooding and slightly dangerous and edgy.‘ In short all the ingredients for a leading man of a great drama.

Where is Rebus filmed?

Seeing as Rebus is set in Scotland’s capital city it is only right that the majority of Rebus is filmed in Edinburgh.

Here we journey through Rebus’s key Edinburgh filming locations  

Grassmarket and Victoria Street   

Victoria Street © Getty Images

The historic Grassmarket area of Edinburgh – with its atmospheric cobbles, twisting streets, and hidden closes – create the perfect backdrop for the gritty mysteries unravelled by Inspector Rebus.

Once a site of public executions and open-air marketplaces, the Grassmarket has evolved into a vibrant hub, giving the opportunity to explore independent shops, charming cafes, and centuries-old pubs. 

The Mound   

Look out for this spectacular location featuring. The Mound  is a steep hill – connecting Edinburgh’s old and new towns – which offer stunning views of the cityscape, Edinburgh Castle, and Princes Street Gardens.

National Library of Scotland   

Getty images

The dramatic interior of the National Library of Scotland, with its atmosphere of intrigue and history, makes it an ideal setting for the new BBC Rebus series – where else could Rebus research his cases?

George Heriot’s School  

  

Dave Morris from Oxford, England, CC BY 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Dating back to 1621, this school stands out for its remarkable Renaissance architecture. It features prominently in the series as the school attended by Rebus’s daughter, Sammy. It remains an active school and is therefore inaccessible to visitors, however the views of the exterior are breathtaking. 

For the best perspective, head to Greyfriars Kirkyard. From this atmospheric graveyard, enjoy the magnificent sight of the school’s intricate turrets, sandstone frontage, and Renaissance allure. 

It is also believed by many St George Heriot’s School was the inspiration for Hogwarts in Harry Potter as JK Rowling would have passed it man y a time when she lived in Edinburgh.

The Oxford Bar    

Lokal_Profil, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Oxford Bar or the ‘Ox’ as it’s also known as, is probably one of the most iconic locations Rebus spends his time. In interviews, Rankin revealed that during his postgraduate years, he shared a flat with a student who worked part-time as a bar man at the Ox.

Gregory Burke, Ian Rankin and Stuart Bowman on the set of Rebus BBC Images

Where does Rebus live in Edinburgh?

Rebus’s home address is 17 Arden Street

Rebus launched on Friday 17 May. All episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from 6am, with episode one airing on BBC Scotland on Friday 17 May at 10pm and on BBC One on Saturday 18 May at 9:25pm. 

To discover more about the film and TV in Scotland, please visit: https://www.visitscotland.com/things-to-do/attractions/tv-film