Talk of the Town: Love of Rebus not a fair cop, says Rankin

INSPECTOR Rebus might be an outstandingly curmudgeonly cop, but he inspires more affection in the public imagination than his long-suffering creator, Ian Rankin, it seems.

The author joined screenwriter James Mavor on Thursday for a Q&A at the Filmhouse after a screening of Reichenbach Falls, a BBC4 drama loosely based on one of his short stories.

Despite officially standing Rebus down from duty, Rankin recently wrote a short story to raise money for charity which followed the Inspector after retirement.

"Everyone cares about Rebus more than me," Rankin laughed. "I can have a cold, I can have a hangover and everyone's like, 'How's Rebus?' They don't care about me."

He was particularly delighted that Reichenbach Falls, which leaves no city landmark left un-filmed, included scenes inside the most significant landmark in his Edinburgh. He said: "I've waited years to see the Oxford Bar on film because when Scottish Television filmed Rebus, it was too small and they used a bar in Leith."

Salmond's nose put out of joint by question confusion

ALEX Salmond has been criticised for the "confusing" questions he is proposing for the independence referendum, but the First Minister was a bit confused himself when he took questions after unveiling the plans at a press conference the other day.

Mr Salmond thought BBC political editor Brian Taylor was indicating he wanted to ask a question, but then realised he was mistaken. "Oh, you were picking your nose," he said.

"I was stifling a yawn," responded Mr Taylor.

Parents' old age tension

EDINBURGH is one of the top cities that old folk would like to retire to, according to a new YouGov poll.

However, if you're collecting your bus pass and hoping your children will put you up in their spare room in Morningside, think again.

Only 2 per cent of people surveyed would entertain the idea of parents or in-laws coming to stay with them, a figure that sinks to 1 per cent amongst the over 40s.

Dolled-up house struggles

IT SEEMS the recent recovery in the housing market has not reached the dolls' house market yet.

Bonnyrigg Parish Church is currently trying to sell off a meticulously recreated, fully furnished, four-floor house which was donated to help raise funds for repairs to the church roof.

Its builder, Walter Stanford, spent eight months and about 1,000 on the labour of love and thinks it ought to fetch about 2,500.

But so far only 1,000 has been offered and the church is holding out for at least 1,600 – or preferably more.

For more details and pictures, visit www.bonnyriggparishchurch.co.uk