Maps of Movies
Trainspotting (1996)
Where Trainspotting says it takes place, and where it was really shot.
The film is set in Edinburgh, but almost all of it was shot in Glasgow; only the opening chase was filmed in Edinburgh.
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Scenes and places
The opening chase down Princes Street (1996)
Renton and Spud sprint down Princes Street after fleeing security guards, stolen goods spilling onto the pavement. The chase plays under the opening voiceover.
Set in Princes Street, Edinburgh — Renton and Spud run from security guards along Edinburgh's main shopping street. Google Maps · Apple Maps
Edinburgh's main shopping street, running below the Castle.
Filmed at Princes Street, Edinburgh — Filmed right here. The opening chase is the only part of the film shot in Edinburgh. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Princes Street 107-109 is the address given for the opening bookshop theft; the bookshop is gone and a Next store is there now. In the centre of Edinburgh, a few minutes from Waverley Station.
The chase turns up Hanover Street (1996)
The chase continues through central Edinburgh.
Set in Hanover Street, Edinburgh — The chase carries on up Hanover Street past the Royal Scottish Academy. Google Maps · Apple Maps
Built 1822-26 by William Henry Playfair as the Royal Institution; it became the Royal Scottish Academy's home in 1911.
Filmed at Hanover Street and the Royal Scottish Academy, Edinburgh — The chase turns up Hanover Street; the coordinate is the Academy building, not a measured camera spot. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Just off Princes Street, beside the Royal Scottish Academy building.
The chase ends under Regent Bridge (1996)
The chase ends beneath Regent Bridge on Calton Road.
Set in Calton Road, under Regent Bridge — The chase ends on Calton Road beneath Regent Bridge. Google Maps · Apple Maps
A Greek Revival arch built 1816-19 by Robert Stevenson, carrying the A1 into Edinburgh over the Low Calton ravine.
Filmed at Calton Road under Regent Bridge, Edinburgh — The chase ends here, beneath the bridge. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: East end of Princes Street, below Regent Bridge on Calton Road.
The five-a-side football match (1996)
A five-a-side football match among the lads runs during the opening credits and voiceover.
Set in Calton Athletic ground (fictional name) — The lads play a five-a-side match against a rival team.
Firhill has been Partick Thistle's home since 1909; the sports complex stood in for the Calton Athletic ground.
Filmed at Firhill Sports Complex, Glasgow — Filmed right here. The football match was shot at Firhill, in Glasgow. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: 87 Hopehill Road, Maryhill, Glasgow G20 7HU.
Renton locks himself in to kick the habit (1996)
Renton prepares a bare room with food, buckets and a mattress to ride out withdrawal, then tries opium suppositories bought from a dealer. It goes badly.
Set in Renton's room (location in the story not given) — The bare room where Renton tries to quit. The story location is not named in the sources.
Filmed at Disused Wills Tobacco Factory, 368 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow — Interiors were shot in an abandoned cigarette factory in Glasgow. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: 368 Alexandra Parade, Glasgow G31 3AU; now offices (CityPark Glasgow). Not open to visit.
Milkshakes before Spud's interview (1996)
Before Spud's job interview, Renton gives him a pep talk over a milkshake.
Set in Café (location in the story not given) — The diner where Renton coaches Spud before a job interview.
The café at 570 Maryhill Road still stands and has changed little.
Filmed at Café D'Jaconelli, 570 Maryhill Road, Glasgow — Filmed right here; the café still stands. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: 570 Maryhill Road, Glasgow G20 7EE, still open. Check opening hours.
Begbie's pub brawl (1996)
Begbie tells a pool-game story, then Tommy gives the real version. Begbie throws a pint glass from the mezzanine, injuring a woman, and a brawl starts.
Set in A pub (location in the story not given) — The pub where Begbie's pool story ends in a brawl.
Originally a Baptist chapel in Maryhill, later a pub; The Kelbourne Saint in 2016, BrewHaus by 2022.
Filmed at The Crosslands (now BrewHaus), 182 Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow — Filmed right here. The coordinate is read from the Commons category for the building. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: 182 Queen Margaret Drive, Glasgow G20 8NX. Now BrewHaus; earlier Kelbourne Saint and Franco's Bar. Filmed in summer 1995.
Renton meets Diane at the club (1996)
Renton meets schoolgirl Diane at the club and follows her out into the street.
Set in A nightclub (location in the story not given) — The club where Renton meets Diane, then follows her out into the street.
The real club was on Benalder Street, Partick Cross, formerly Cinders Disco, now flats.
Filmed at Former club, Benalder Street, Partick Cross, Glasgow — Per one source the real club was on Benalder Street; the coordinate is the Partick district, and the building is now flats. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: 15 Benalder Street, Glasgow G11 6PU, near Kelvinhall subway station below Byres Road. Club demolished, now housing. Earlier names Cinders Disco, Raffles, Volcano.
Diane's school gate (1996)
Diane threatens to call the police if Renton does not see her again, and they walk along the fence to the school gate.
Set in Diane's school (location in the story not given) — Renton walks Diane to her school gate.
Founded 1920 as the demonstration school of Jordanhill College of Education; state-funded direct since 1988.
Filmed at Jordanhill School, Glasgow — Filmed right here; the gate still stands. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: 45 Chamberlain Road, Jordanhill, Glasgow G13 1SP. A working school, so view from the street; the exterior is unchanged.
The great outdoors at Corrour (1996)
The friends take a train out to the Highlands; Tommy suggests climbing Leum Uilleim and vents about Scottish identity.
Set in Corrour station, Scottish Highlands — The friends take a train into the Highlands for a day out. Google Maps · Apple Maps
Opened 1894 on the West Highland Line at 1,340 ft.
Filmed at Corrour railway station, Highlands — Filmed right here, on the West Highland Line. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Corrour PH30 4AA. Reach it by the West Highland Line train; the station has no road access.
James Bond in the park (1996)
Sick Boy and Renton talk about James Bond and The Name of the Rose in the park.
Set in A park (location in the story not given) — A park where Sick Boy and Renton talk.
Gifted by Lord Rowallan to Glasgow's citizens and opened in 1906.
Filmed at Rouken Glen Park, Glasgow — Filmed right here, in a park on Glasgow's south side. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Rouken Glen Park, Thornliebank, south of Glasgow.
London: flats and a hotel-room deal (1996)
Renton starts a property job and flat-lets in London; later the friends negotiate a drug sale in a hotel room.
Set in Paddington, London — Renton works in London letting flats; the friends later arrange a drug sale. Google Maps · Apple Maps
The Abbey Road parody is at the Royal Eagle on Craven Road.
Filmed at Paddington and Craven Road, London — The drug-deal scenes were shot in Paddington; the coordinate is the station area, not a measured spot. The hotel-room interior was shot in Glasgow. Google Maps · Apple Maps
How to get there: Near Paddington station and Craven Road, London.
Filmed at Possilpark, Glasgow — Overdose and taxi (story order uncertain) Google Maps · Apple Maps
Filmed at Former Azad Video, 312 Dumbarton Road, Glasgow — Tommy and Lizzy outside the video shop Google Maps · Apple Maps
Filmed at Edinburgh Castle — Establishing shot of Edinburgh Castle Google Maps · Apple Maps
Characters
- Mark Renton — A young heroin user in Edinburgh who keeps trying to quit.