Hi,

thanks for getting in touch. I can not see where you are travelling from or whether you have been to ‘Old Reeky’ before?

I can only remember two sites from the film, which does not mean there are no more, I suppose it means it is about time I watched the film again!!

The street with the shops, where Ewan Mcgregor is being chased by security guards at the beginning of the film is Princes Street. The main shopping street in Edinburgh. ‘choose life’!!

When he runs down the narrow steps into the path of a car, that is a narrow stairway leading down onto the grass market. To get there from Princes street is a short walk. You need to head east until you are at the Waverley Train Station then head south towards the tall town houses near the Royal Mile. The Royal Mile is the road which comes down from the castle. You will not be able to miss the grass market, or the narrow steps in question.

Once on the grass market you must have a pint of Guinness. Now I know you will say, “Wait a minute Guinness is Irish” and you would be correct but, I spent an entire weekend in 1 pub drinking Guinness with some good friends. It was a great experience. If you are lucky enough to be in Edinburgh on a Friday night, you will find pubs with live Scottish folk music…. and that is worth seeing. (And hearing)

Oh I have just remembered another place in the film. About 4 miles west of the city you will find the high rise blocks of flats where the drug dens were. This area is called ‘Wester Hailes’ If you are travelling from the US or Canada you may know a block of flats as an apartment block.

If you can be in Edinburgh for September time you may be able to take in the Fringe Festival. Now this fringe festival is not a hairdressers convention – do not be put off. Check out the internet to find out about the fringe. You will see some great performances by stand up comics theatre groups, bands, orchestras, you name it. It is a great place for spotting new talent too.

When I was there I saw Lee Evans as a young up and coming comic. You may know him from his Hollywood films if not his stand up. He was in Something about Mary, The Fifth Elelment, The Mouse House… ( film thing) and a few others.

I will leave you do your research and try and find time to watch Train spotting again.

But while on the subject of regional films, if you havn’t seen Twin Town that is worth a look. Its a film about a small Welsh city (Swansea) and very funny. I warn you the bad language is a little excessive.

Bye for now

Ioan.

I have heard of a Trainspotting themed walking tour in Leith, although I know nothing about it, other than it should leave from the Port O’Leith pub on Constitution Street.
I’ll try and check it out myself after I watch the movie.