Film office for Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders
Film office for Edinburgh, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders
On Location with T2 Trainspotting
Over twenty years in the making the highly anticipated follow up to Trainspotting hits cinemas with the City of Edinburgh taking on a starring role.
Arthur's Seat c/o Sony Pictures
When Trainspotting was released in 1996 it encapsulated the spirit of 90s Britain becoming a cultural phenomenon and box office hit worldwide. While fans clamoured for a sequel, there were numerous rumours of a second outing, but nothing ever came to fruition. Just when it seemed like all was lost, Danny Boyle announced that the cast would reprise their roles for the sequel to be released over twenty years after the original.
Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting source material was Edinburgh in every sense, however the majority of the film was shot on the other side of the M8 in Glasgow. Thankfully this would not be the case for T2 Trainspotting with Edinburgh very much taking a starring role in the highly anticipated sequel.
The production spent over 60 days filming in the Edinburgh city-region, but a small team including Boyle spent close to 14 weeks preparing in the capital. Film Edinburgh was involved in the production early on and worked closely with the locations and the City of Edinburgh Council to ensure the demands of the filmmakers could be met.
From the first stages of pre-production, Film Edinburgh was on hand to support and advise our locations team, working closely with us to facilitate filming with the Council and local community. The good will from local individuals and organisations towards the production made it an absolute pleasure to be back filming in the city. Thank you to the Film Edinburgh team for having our back.
Danny Boyle
With Edinburgh taking on such a starring role we take a look at some of the locations that made the final cut.
Please be aware that there are some minor spoilers below.
Ewan McGregor at Edinburgh Airport
The film opens with Renton arriving home from Amsterdam at Edinburgh Airport. We are then led on an Edinburgh Trams journey to the city centre.
Begbie drinks a beer in The Central Bar that also acts as the cellar for Simon’s pub, Port Sunshine. Simon, Renton and Veronika have drinks in the now closed Wolf and Water gastro pub on Commercial Quay, the Cavendish nightclub hosts an 80s club night and Renton and Veronika go for a drink in Harvey Nichols.
Renton and Simon go for a meeting at the Scottish Parliament.
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Filming at St Stephen's Church
Spud’s rehab group meets inside St Stephen’s Church.
On a glorious summer’s day (it does happen, honest) Renton and Spud go running up Arthur’s Seat.
Anthony Dod Mantle filming at Arthur's Seat
Various streets and closes including Cockburn Street, Anchor Close, Fleshmarket Close, Advocates Close, Grassmarket, Victoria Street, Royal Mile appear in a chase sequence.
The Forth Road Bridge and Waverley Station also make an appearance while Creative Scotland’s offices at Waverley Court act as a solicitor’s office.