It was partially influenced by Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City, a famous serial story.

The other major storyline is that of five-year-old Bertie, who is controlled by his pretentious and domineering mother Irene - he has Grade Six on the saxophone, speaks fluent Italian, and is extremely knowledgeable about various subjects.

After he is expelled from his nursery school, Irene sends him to psychotherapy with Dr Fairbairn, who constantly misinterprets Bertie's simple wish to be a normal five-year-old boy.

Publishers Weekly said that 44 Scotland Street was "episodic, amusing and peopled with characters both endearing and benignly problematic.

"[2] Library Journal said that "Smith's insightful and comic observations, makes for an amusing and absorbing look at Edinburgh's high society.