Edinburgh Trainspotting & Film Locations Walking Trip

When Danny Boyle showcased his take on Irvine Welsh’s nitty-gritty classic back in 1996, it threw the dirtier, darker side of Edinburgh into the spotlight. And the audience loved it! The Trainspotting saga was completed 20 years later with Boyle’s equally compelling follow-up T2; forever cementing the adventures of Renton and his down-and-out friends as an undisputed cult classic.

Here at TRIPorganiser, it’s certainly no secret that we love our movies, and Trainspotting 2 is most definitely one of our favourites! As much of the production took place in and around Edinburgh, iconic backdrops from the film can be found around every corner. So what better way to combine our boundless knowledge of the city with our favourite bunch of misfits than through an incredible Edinburgh Trainspotting & Film Locations day trip!

We’ll prepare to choose life as we embark from Princes street, a major thoroughfare of the city centre, that’s recognisable from the opening chase sequence between Spud, Renton and the security guards. Luckily, we won’t be reenacting that scene, however it will lead us nicely onto the castle car park and where Renton narrowly escapes Begbie leading to the chase through the old town covering more famous locations used in T2.

Winding through the historic districts of Grassmarket, Parliament Square, Fleshmarket Close and Cockburn Street, prepare yourself for déjà vu as we point out all the familiar backdrops from the films. Heading up to the 4th floor restaurant of Harvey Nichols for lunch, we’ll be able to third-wheel on Renton and Veronika’s date in the location where his famous “Choose Life” rant was filmed. Travelling onward towards Calton Hill, we’ll come across the Regents Bridge and the Black Bull pub, where the iconic “Lust for Life” run came to an abrupt end.

But our tour doesn’t also have to come to an abrupt end here. Leith, which sits immediately to the north-east boundary on the city, was also a favourite filming location for the films. Luckily, it’s just a short bus ride from the centre of Edinburgh, and if you have time to venture out there with us to complete your Trainspotting experience, we highly suggest that you do!

As well as being a central hub for hip creatives and longtime locals, Leith also hosted many of the filming locations for T2. At its heart lies The Central Bar Where Begbie takes the time to read Spuds stories and the basement cellar is Sick Boys hydroponic headquarters

Leith’s “Shores” promenade is also equally as famous, as it’s where Sick Boy, Renton and Veronika spent many hours killing the day.

If you’re ready to choose life, choose our Edinburgh Trainspotting & Film Locations day trip! This city adventure will give you front row seats to the real-life locations of Trainspotting and T2.

All of these memorable locations plus many more locations from other films such as:

Avengers – Infinity War, Outlander, Cloud Atlas and Churchill, just to name a few!

You can see…

• Princes Street where the opening chase starts
• Castle Carpark where Renton narrowly escapes Begbie leading to the chase through the old town covering,
• Grassmarket, Parliament Square, Fleshmarket Close and Cockburn Street
• Harvey Nichols 4th Floor Restaurant where Renton revises his updated “Choose Life” rant while on a date with Veronika
• The Black Bull pub stairs which lead to Regent Bridge, where the “Lust for Life” run comes to an abrupt end.

Take the short bus ride down to Leith to visit…

• The Central Bar. Where Begbie takes the time to read Spuds stories and the basement cellar is Sick Boys hydroponic headquarters
• Irvine Welsh’s former flat on Wellington Place where he was inspired to write the chapter “Deid Dugs”
• The now trendy Shore area when Sick Boy, Renton and Veronika spent many a moment.