10 pictures of Trainspotting filming locations in Glasgow - as the film turns 27
27 years today, 15 February 1996, one of the most influential Scottish films of all time, Trainspotting, had its world premiere in Glasgow.
A defining movie of the 1990s, Trainspotting was set in Edinburgh but almost entirely filmed in Glasgow, like Danny Boyle’s previous film, Shallow Grave. The memorable run along Princes Street set the local context, but the majority of the scenes in the movie were played out here, shot in just seven weeks. Locations included Maryhill, Hopehill Road, Firhill, Rouken Glen and Thornliebank.
Danny Boyle, Andrew Macdonald, Ewan McGregor, Jonny Lee Miller, Ewen Bremner, Kevin McKidd, Kelly Macdonald and Robert Carlyle all turned out to launch the movie with a premiere screening at the Odeon cinema on Renfield Street.
To celebrate the anniversary of the film, we’ve taken a look back at the role Glasgow played in it.
Crosslands, Queen Margaret Drive
The pub where Francis Begbie throws a pint glass was the Crosslands bar in Maryhill, now The BrewHaus on Queen Margaret Drive.
Studio filming
Studio filming took place within the disused Wills Tobacco cigarette factory, on Alexandra Parade. 30 of the film’s 50 locations were filmed in Dennistoun.
The building has since been redeveloped as CityPark.
Rouken Glen park
The scene where Renton and Sick Boy are in a park, presumed to be the Meadows, was filmed at Rouken Glen on the outskirts of Glasgow.
The George Hotel
A pivotal scene set in a London hotel room was filmed in the George Hotel on Buchanan Street, the site has since been redeveloped.
Azad Home Entertainment
The video shop visited by Tommy and Lizzy in the film was at 312 Dumbarton Road in Partick.
Swanney’s street
The street that Swanney, played by Peter Mullan, lived on was in Possilpark. The conspiculously Glasgow setting can be seen when a taxi is called for Renton.
Jordanhill school
The school attended by Diane was Jordanhill in the West End, which briefly appears in one scene.
Cafe D’Jaconelli
Cafe D’Jaconelli on Maryhill Road features is where Spud prepares for a job interview over a milkshake.
Volcano club
The nightclub where Renton met Diane was Volcano, close to Kelvinhall Station. It is no longer standing, in its place is student flats.
Firhill Sports Complex
Choose Life. The defining speech of the film and a key pop culture moment in the 90s was delivered over footage of the cast playing football at Firhill against Calton Athletic FC, the recovery group founded in 1985 in the East End of Glasgow as a football team and social club.
Trainspotting premiere
On 15 February 1996, the world premiere for Trainspotting was held in Glasgow with the cast in attendance.