In the footsteps of 'Trainspotting' with Tim Bell

Warning: this podcast contains adult themes and language some people might find offensive.

Set in Edinburgh and Leith Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh was a book set in the 80s drug scene and was later made into a popular film. I met up with Tim Bell, author of Choose Life, Choose Leith: Trainspotting on Location to follow a chapter of the original Irvine Welsh novel which starts at the back of Waverley Station and heads down Leith Walk to Leith Central Station. On our way Tim read extracts from Trainspotting and gave insights into how the locations have changed since the 80s and we talked drug dealing, why the book has its name, interviewing dealers in prison and a range of hair-raising anecdotes.

If you want to follow in our footsteps:

Calton Road entrance to the station is HERE

The Playhouse is HERE

Albert Street is HERE

The Boundary Bar is HERE

The former Tommy Younger's pub is now the Harp & Castle: HERE

Leith Central Station facade is HERE

Leith Dockers' Club is HERE

You can find photographs of Leith Central Station on Capital Collections or on former guest, Kenneth Williamson's site: https://www.trainbuff.net/

To read Tim Bell's book: https://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/books/?prod_bibliographic_data%5Bquery%5D=choose+life+choose+leith

His website is here: https://www.leithwalks.co.uk/

As always, my substack has reviews and pictures from some of my episodes: https://edinburghoutdoors.substack.com/p/edinburgh-outdoors-podcast

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