
ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location
Weather on the day
Overcast · 17°C
Feels like 17°C · Chance of rain 4% · Wind 17 km/h
Forecast from Open-Meteo, updated 3 hours ago. Accuracy drops beyond a few days out.
Similar events
View all →About This Event
Tim Bell will guide a walking tour around Leith locations featured in the film adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s *Trainspotting*, presented as part of ScotlandsFest, the Luath Press literary festival running alongside the Edinburgh Fringe. The route explores key sites from both the book and the film, with Bell offering commentary on how the area has transformed since the 1990s. The walk commences at 10.30am on Thursday 27 August 2026, with participants meeting at St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church. Ticket prices range from £6.13 to £11.55.
Join Tim Bell at ScotlandsFest, Luath Press's literary festival during the Edinburgh Fringe.
Set firmly in unglamorous 1980s Leith, Trainspotting has burst through stage, film and now musical genres, dodging the forces of orthodoxy and censorship. But is it just scurrilous punk, junk, transgressional entertainment that got lucky? Bell reveals how this hard-to-read and on-location book tells truths that need to be told. And how it’s everyone’s business. Bell is the ideal guide: author of Choose Life, Choose Leith and living in Leith since 1980, he brings street-level wisdom, erudite research, and a good dash of humour to the Trainspotting phenomenon.
A great study from a serious Trainspotting scholar. IRVINE WELSH
~
ScotlandsFest is Luath Press' annual festival during the Edinburgh fringe, celebrating the vibrant literary, cultural and political landscape of Scotland. There are many Scotlands, so many ideas of what Scotland is and can be. Each of us carries our own vision, our own experiences and our own perspectives of our nation. At ScotlandsFest, we celebrate these many Scotlands as seen through the eyes of the poet, the artist and the scholar.
Whether you live here or are visiting, make the most of your time at the Fringe. Discover ScotlandsFest. Big thinking in a small country – thought-provoking discussions, immersive storytelling, history, poetry, politics and more.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
Similar Events in Edinburgh
View all →
Javier Cercas Returns To The Edinburgh International Book Festival
Sun, 30 Aug 2026
Edinburgh Futures Institute, The University of Edinburgh

Words Of The Wild Book Festival - Jim Crumley On The Last Wolf
Sat, 3 Oct 2026
Scottish Storytelling Centre
From £6.13ScotlandsFest: No Scotland No Party!
Thu, 27 Aug 2026
St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
Free EntryElif Shafak (EIBF Live Stream)
Fri, 28 Aug 2026
Falkirk Public Library

Children's Book Festival by Imaginarium Creations
Sat, 12 Sept 2026
The Children’s Country House at Sudbury
More at St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
View all →
From £6.13ScotlandsFest: Talking two millennia (of Scotland's history)
Wed, 26 Aug 2026
From £6.13ScotlandsFest: Ancient Voices, Living Landscape – Scotland's Geomythography
Wed, 26 Aug 2026
From £6.13ScotlandsFest: Unfinished Business: Scotland's Political Crossroads
Wed, 26 Aug 2026
From £6.13ScotlandsFest: Donald Dewar – An Incomplete Legacy?
Wed, 26 Aug 2026
From £6.13ScotlandsFest: Art Without Borders – Demarco's Europe
Thu, 27 Aug 2026
From £6.13ScotlandsFest: A Scottish Football Odyssey
Thu, 27 Aug 2026
Frequently asked questions
ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location takes place on Thursday, 27 August 2026 at 10:30.
ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location is held at St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church in Edinburgh (14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW).
Tickets for ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location range from £6.13 to £11.55. Live prices and availability are shown on Eventbrite.
Tickets for ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church.
Ad · Booking.com affiliate link

ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location
Editorial Summary
Tim Bell will guide a walking tour around Leith locations featured in the film adaptation of Irvine Welsh’s *Trainspotting*, presented as part of ScotlandsFest, the Luath Press literary festival running alongside the Edinburgh Fringe. The route explores key sites from both the book and the film, with Bell offering commentary on how the area has transformed since the 1990s. The walk commences at 10.30am on Thursday 27 August 2026, with participants meeting at St Columba’s by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church. Ticket prices range from £6.13 to £11.55.
This summary was automatically generated from event data sourced from official ticketing providers.
Organiser’s full description
Join Tim Bell at ScotlandsFest, Luath Press's literary festival during the Edinburgh Fringe.
Set firmly in unglamorous 1980s Leith, Trainspotting has burst through stage, film and now musical genres, dodging the forces of orthodoxy and censorship. But is it just scurrilous punk, junk, transgressional entertainment that got lucky? Bell reveals how this hard-to-read and on-location book tells truths that need to be told. And how it’s everyone’s business. Bell is the ideal guide: author of Choose Life, Choose Leith and living in Leith since 1980, he brings street-level wisdom, erudite research, and a good dash of humour to the Trainspotting phenomenon.
A great study from a serious Trainspotting scholar. IRVINE WELSH
~
ScotlandsFest is Luath Press' annual festival during the Edinburgh fringe, celebrating the vibrant literary, cultural and political landscape of Scotland. There are many Scotlands, so many ideas of what Scotland is and can be. Each of us carries our own vision, our own experiences and our own perspectives of our nation. At ScotlandsFest, we celebrate these many Scotlands as seen through the eyes of the poet, the artist and the scholar.
Whether you live here or are visiting, make the most of your time at the Fringe. Discover ScotlandsFest. Big thinking in a small country – thought-provoking discussions, immersive storytelling, history, poetry, politics and more.
Description supplied by the event organiser.
📍 Venue
St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW
Get Directions →❓ Frequently asked questions
When is ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location?
ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location takes place on Thursday, 27 August 2026 at 10:30.
Where is ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location taking place?
ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location is held at St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church in Edinburgh (14 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW).
How much are tickets for ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location?
Tickets for ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location range from £6.13 to £11.55. Live prices and availability are shown on Eventbrite.
How do I get tickets for ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location?
Tickets for ScotlandsFest: Choose Life Choose Leith – Trainspotting on Location can be booked via Eventbrite using the "Check Tickets & Live Prices" button on this page, which opens the official booking site in a new tab.
🏨 Staying overnight?
Hotels within walking distance of St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
Ad · Stay22 affiliate link
Tickets from
£6.13
Date
Until Thursday, 27 August 2026
Time
Weather
feels like 17°C · chance of rain 4% · wind 17 km/h
More in Edinburgh
EventsList curates 158,000+ events across the UK. Tickets purchased via the venue or authorised sellers only.
More Events at St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
View all →
ScotlandsFest: Talking two millennia (of Scotland's history)
📍 St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
£6.13 - £11.55

ScotlandsFest: Ancient Voices, Living Landscape – Scotland's Geomythography
📍 St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
£6.13 - £11.55

ScotlandsFest: Unfinished Business: Scotland's Political Crossroads
📍 St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
£6.13 - £11.55

ScotlandsFest: Donald Dewar – An Incomplete Legacy?
📍 St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
£6.13 - £11.55

ScotlandsFest: Art Without Borders – Demarco's Europe
📍 St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
£6.13 - £11.55

ScotlandsFest: A Scottish Football Odyssey
📍 St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
£6.13 - £11.55
Similar Events in Edinburgh
View all →
Javier Cercas Returns To The Edinburgh International Book Festival
📍 Edinburgh Futures Institute, The University of Edinburgh

Words Of The Wild Book Festival - Jim Crumley On The Last Wolf
📍 Scottish Storytelling Centre

ScotlandsFest: No Scotland No Party!
📍 St Columba's by the Castle Scottish Episcopal Church
£6.13 - £11.55
FREEElif Shafak (EIBF Live Stream)
📍 Falkirk Public Library

Children's Book Festival by Imaginarium Creations
📍 The Children’s Country House at Sudbury
More things to do in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Fringe Festival· Friday, 7 August 2026
- FLY Festival Edinburgh 2026· Saturday, 12 September 2026
- Edinburgh’s Whisky Festival· Saturday, 10 October 2026
- Gin & Rum Festival - Edinburgh - 2026· Saturday, 21 November 2026
- Dunfermline Military Tattoo· Saturday, 26 September 2026
- OFFICIAL Edinburgh Big Freshers Icebreaker - UK Largest Freshers Events - Sold Out 10 Years Running 🏆· Monday, 14 September 2026
- The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo - A Call to Gather Festival Pass· Saturday, 8 August 2026
- Scotland’s Festival of Remembrance· Saturday, 7 November 2026
- Edinburgh Freshers 2026· Sunday, 6 September 2026
- Festival Of Politics· Thursday, 27 August 2026
- Edinburgh International Festival: Mahler’s Das Klagende Lied· Thursday, 27 August 2026
- The Festival of Politics· Thursday, 27 August 2026
- Edinburgh International Festival: When Prophecy Fails· Thursday, 27 August 2026
- Edinburgh International Festival: Preview: Dàna with Ellie Beaton· Thursday, 27 August 2026