D. M. Allan was born and raised in Edinburgh. He also went to Edinburgh University where he studied medicine. After graduation he chose to specialise in radiology and obtained his postgraduate qualification while working in Oxford. Following his retirement he has pursued other interests, obtaining an MA in archaeology and another in creative writing. He enjoys watching rugby, cricket and American football and he is a keen scuba diver and underwater photographer. At present he lives on a houseboat on the river Thames.