John Rebus and the frequent popular music references and thoughts that Ian Rankin weaves into the stories. However, Rebus' reliance on alcohol is evident and he is often seen drinking in the Oxford Bar. Also, in the television series Rebus is portrayed as being a supporter of Hibernian. This is not found in Ian Rankin's books, he having stated outside the books that Rebus is a Raith Rovers supporter.Rebus's Fife accent is softened as well; in the novel "Tooth and Nail", London Metropolitan Police colleagues find it difficult to understand his speech. Alexander Morton played Rebus in a 1999 BBC Radio 4
Merchiston area is home to writers Ian Rankin (author of the Inspector Rebus novels), Lin Anderson, Colin Douglas, Alexander McCall Smith (author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency novels) and comedian Dylan Moran. J.K. Rowling had her Edinburgh home in Merchiston for many years but is said to have moved to Cramond. Merchiston was also the childhood home of Scotland and British Lions rugby legends Gavin Hastings and Scott Hastings. Also in the area are a number of independent schools including George Watson's College and a Steiner School. On the fringes of the area where it meets Craiglockhart (to the