Choose Life. Choose Leith. Choose a walking tour through Leith’s heart, dissecting Irvine Welsh’s Trainspotting – the book, the movie and the play. Uncover the layers of this iconic phenomenon. This journey offers a unique perspective on Leith’s past and present, weaving narratives of struggle, resilience and transformation. An unforgettable exploration of the intersections of literature, culture and place. Expect well-researched erudition, lived-experience testimony and street-level wisdom from former Port of Leith chaplain Tim Bell who has been leading Leith Walks Trainspotting tours for over 20 years. ‘Top tour’ (Sunday Times).
By examining the book, the play and the film, Choose Life, Choose Leith both critically analyses the Trainspotting phenomenon in its various forms, and contextualises the importance of the location of Leith and the culture of 1980s Britain. Looking in detail at the history of Leith, the drug culture, the spread of HIV/AIDs, and how Trainspotting affected drug policy, Leith and the Scottish identity, the book highlights the importance of Trainspotting. Choose Life, Choose Leith acts as a reference book, a record of the times and a background as to the history that led to the real-life situation and the publication of the book.