Yes, he's like the city in this respect. He's as complex as his surroundings. Maybe that's why readers like him. And we never quite come to a full understanding of Edinburgh. Scottish politics has a history nearly as volatile as Ireland' s, and plays an integral role in your underlying story as well as the personal lives of the characters.
Devolution is just the start.
For 300 years we were ruled by London. It'll take a while for the Scottish parliament to find its feet. Meantime, the nationalists will be striving towards independence. Several of your books have a basis in real life events. It included a description of an act of cannibalism in 1707, occurring in Queensberry House, which is where the new parliament will eventually be based.