I'd say yes, probably. There isn't much in it that assumes knowledge of the Culture - we are shown for example that Sma is a representative of this advanced civilization that interferes in other cultures, and that the protagonist is working for them. It's certainly much more newbie friendly than, say, *Excession*, which would be incomprehensible to a newcomer.

That's not to say that *UoW* is necessarily the best place to stay. I'd recommend *Player of Games*, although that is less obviously "literary" so I understand why you want to read UoW.