HE is the world's most famous fictional secret agent, having thrilled generations of fans with his daring exploits and seemingly endless array of girls, gadgets and guns.

And James Bond has a special place in the affection of many Scots, thanks to Sir Sean Connery's iconic portrayal of the spy.

Now the actor's home city, where Bond himself is said to have finished his education, is set to offer a unique insight into the character, from his inception to his continuing evolution.

Edinburgh is expected to play host to a major exhibition celebrating the life and work of his creator, Ian Fleming, this summer. The city council is in the final stages of talks to bring "Bond Bound" – an exhibition put together to mark the centenary of the writer's birth – to the City Art Centre between July and September.

The exhibition, which is at the Fleming Collection Gallery, in London, from April to June, will feature a host of artwork from the first Bond novels, as well as many of the author's personal possessions.

Archive film posters and other Bond memorabilia are expected to feature, while the exhibition will explore Fleming's other work, including the children's adventure Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and his travel books.

It will also look at Fleming's Bond legacy, including comedian Charlie Higson's Young Bond series, The Moneypenny Diaries and the latest Bond novel, about the spy's later life, which is due to be released this year.

A city council source said the exhibition would be "perfect" for Edinburgh because of the spy's links with the capital.

Sir Sean was born in the city and brought up in the Fountainbridge area. He went on to play Bond in seven films, making his debut in Dr No in 1962.

Meanwhile, the fictional Bond was born to a Scottish father and went to Fettes College in Edinburgh, before joining the navy.

The exhibition has been put together by Ian Fleming's estate and the Fleming Collection, the largest collection of Scottish art in private hands.

The writer, who was born on 28 May, 1908, was the grandson of Dundee-born Robert Fleming, the founder of the investment bank that bore his name for more than a century and which created the art collection in 1968.

Selina Skipwith, keeper of art at the Fleming Collection, said: "We're very hopeful (the exhibition] will be going to Edinburgh later in the year.

"It's really a celebration of the books, particularly their artwork, but it'll also include some of Fleming's original notebooks and manuscripts for the Bond books, as well as copies he gave to members of his family, and photographs."

The City Art Centre has played host to blockbuster exhibitions celebrating both Star Trek and Star Wars. A spokesman said: "We're certainly very keen to bring the exhibition to Edinburgh and we hope we will be able to stage it from July to September, all going well."

Other exhibitions to be staged in Edinburgh over the next few months include a retrospective of Tracey Emin's career and a celebration of Vanity Fair's glamour photography.

Ben Carter, VisitScotland's area director for Edinburgh and the Lothians, said: "It's great news the Ian Fleming exhibition may be coming to Edinburgh.

"As we have seen from recent major exhibitions, they can be a real boost for tourism."

FLEMING'S FAULTS WILL STAY UNDER COVER

ALTHOUGH the Bond Bound exhibition will give a glimpse into the background of the creator of the iconic spy, visitors will not be treated to a warts-and-all insight into the London-born author's life. Fleming – a naval commander in the Second World War – had a disturbing upbringing, a complex personality, a number of unwelcome character traits and a colourful personal life.

His father was killed in the war when Fleming was just nine. His elder brother, Peter, was far cleverer, and his mother, who had another illegitimate child, was said to be both domineering and manipulating.

Fleming, who infamously had a large porn collection and wielded a whip in the bedroom, has been branded everything from a brutal womaniser, sadist and pompous snob to a notorious chauvinist and opportunist.

He had an adulterous affair with Ann Rothermere, wife of the newspaper proprietor. Fleming agreed to wed only when his lover fell pregnant. Andrew Lycett's biography of Fleming, published in 1996, described the author as moody, self-centred, supercilious, cold, aloof and rude.

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