Discovering the sights through a Trainspotting city tour of Edinburgh

Update: Discovering the sights through a Trainspotting city tour of Edinburgh.

SMART: Leith, home to author Irvine Welsh, has improved vastly

Visit Scotland offer not just a pop cultural journey that includes the cinematic escapades of Renton, Spud, Begbie and Sickboy, but a guide to the history of its capital as well.

After Renton, played by Ewan McGregor, escaped Scotland at the end of Trainspotting in 1996, a lot has changed in his 20-year absence.

One of the major transformations includes a new tram service that runs from Edinburgh Airport right into the heart of the city.

Renton takes this tram upon his return in T2 Trainspotting, jumping off on Princes Street to check into the boutique Hotel Indigo, an establishment made up of listed Georgian townhouses.

GRAND LOCATION: Princes Street

It not only pays homage to Danny Boyle’s movies but also a number of great figures who have made a lasting impression on Scottish culture.

My chic double room was a tribute to Robert Louis Stevenson and filled with frames showcasing the Treasure Island writer’s literary work, while others have the pages of the Trainspotting script decorating the walls.

My experience was probably far more relaxing than Renton’s, and while I enjoyed the rainfall shower and continental breakfast, the real Trainspotting experience was just outside.

T2 was filmed over three months in more than 50 locations across Edinburgh, and many of them are a short distance from Princes Street.

Calton Road, behind Waverley Station is where T1’s Renton is knocked over by a car after a failed shoplifting attempt, while the picturesque Victoria Street served as the initial scene for Begbie’s chase of Renton down to an NCP Car Park on Kings Stables Road.

Anyone driving to the city may get a kick out of using these particular parking facilities!

The Grassmarket also featured in this T2 chase, but a leisurely walkthrough this Old Town area is recommended in order to browse the vintage shops, Scottish designers and artisans found nearby, as well as enjoy a view of Edinburgh castle.

Begbie first gives chase at the Cav, the infamous nightclub that once hosted Queen Elizabeth, when she was a Princess, at a country and Western-themed night.

Located on West Tollcross, this nightclub has a 60-year history and thanks to the film, more and more people are walking through its doors.

This has prompted the club’s owners to invest more than six-figures into the refurbishment of its three themed rooms, six bars and VIP lounge.

For those who prefer wildlife to wild nights, a walk through Holyrood Park is essential.

POSH SHOPS: Victoria Street

Spanning 650 acres, this slab of the Highlands is located right in the centre of the Scottish capital and overlooks the city.

It’s the perfect place for walking, or in Renton’s case, running.

After saving Spud’s life in T2, he takes the heroin addict up Salisbury Crag to Arthur’s Seat where they sit and enjoy the view.

From its lofty heights, Edinburgh’s famous sights can be seen, including the Scottish Parliament building, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, St Margaret’s Loch and all the way to the Port of Leith.

Leith is the home of Trainspotting writer, Irvine Welsh, and his time there provided the main inspiration behind his novels.

OUR HEROES: Renton and Spud

Of course, the area is no longer home to junkies but to Michelin star-restaurants like The Kitchin and Martin Wishart.

Even the dole office visited by Renton is now a quirky cafe called Mimi’s Bakehouse, which overlooks the port. Edinburgh has long been known for its culinary offerings, and a visit to both Contini George Street and Cafe Tartine on Commercial Street certainly confirmed that.

The latter was even used in T2 to film an argument between Renton and Sickboy.
A Trainspotting tour wouldn’t be complete, however, without a visit to the Forth Floor of Harvey Nichols.
It is while overlooking the city of Edinburgh on one side, and the Firth of Forth on the other that McGregor gives his finest performance in T2, spitting out Renton’s updated “Choose Life” speech to Sickboy’s girlfriend Veronika.

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