Talk of the Town: Milk mystery pints to a case for Rebus

Published on Tuesday 5 October 2010 14:34

AS THE man behind the world-famous Detective Inspector Rebus, author Ian Rankin is no stranger to a little bit of mystery.

Even so, the writer found himself at a loss to explain a rather peculiar appearance on his doorstep and instead took to social networking site Twitter to try to solve the problem.

He informed his 8347 followers: "Anyone missing six litres of milk? Left outside my house this morning. Answer to the names of Whole and Skimmed."

Suggestions that he will bring Rebus out of retirement to solve the mystery of the missing milk are unconfirmed at this point.

Hibby is game for a shot in the managerial hot seat

WITH the hot seat at Hibs vacant following the departure of John Hughes, the hot topic on the minds of fans is just who will take over the running of their beloved team.

Jimmy Calderwood may be the favourite, but it seems there's a dark horse in the running.

Step forward actor and Hibs fan Tom Freeman, who is hoping the fact that he wrote and starred in the play Heartfelt, about a Hibs fan who switches allegiances and follows Hearts for a season, won't count against him

Announcing his intentions on his blog, he said he was "hungry, ambitious and available" and while admitting that he has no previous experience of management, he pointed out that he had taken a virtual Hibs side to fourth in the SPL and the knock-out stages of the Europa League on the video game Championship Manager.

On the subject of the virtual Scottish Cup, he was strangely silent.

City bar is in good health

A WEST End basement bar plans to make itself a bit less scruffy with a healthy makeover.

Scruffy Murphy's, on Melville Place, is set to be rebranded Slainte Mhath.

The new title is Gaelic for "good health" apparently, although patrons may have trouble ordering a taxi home after six pints.

Stars booked for festival

THEY'RE used to locking horns with some of the shrewdest minds in Britain, but they're set to have their work cut out at The Lennoxlove Book Festival.

King of spin Alastair Campbell, king of swing(ometer) Peter Snow, king of the left-wing Guardian diarist Simon Hoggart and king of the early-morning whinge Today presenter James Naughtie are all set to gather at the small-town book festival on the outskirts of Haddington on November 19-21.

The festival follows a successful inaugural event last year, which featured Kate Aide and Rory Bremner.

I'd rather have Apple than Orange any day