Poet celebrates as his book proves to be a page turner

Published on 28/01/2013 12:00

A THIRD edition of a book written by Edinburgh poet laureate Ron Butlin is to be printed after proving a runaway success with city residents and tourists.

The Magicians of Edinburgh has sold more than 1000 copies – regarded as a huge ­achievement for non-fiction titles – after it was released last summer.

Poems feature the trams and his home district of Newington, along with tougher issues such as homelessness. Mr Butlin said: “It seems to have struck quite a chord. The first ­purchase I had was at a jazz show when a lady came up to me and bought six copies to send abroad to relatives.

“Perhaps they were people who visited once or twice in the past and loved Edinbrugh.

“It’s a pretty honest look at the city and while it reflects its incredible beauty it also has its darker sides.

“It also had these lovely ­pencilled drawings as well, which probably helps.”