FIRST there was the novel, then came the film. Now a new book is set to be written explaining the history behind both.
Meeting what he describes as the "worldwide demand for the Trainspotting phenomenon", the man who already takes tourists round sites synonymous with the story is to write a comprehensive history of the tale.
Leither Tim Bell is in the process of c
ollecting information on what life was like in Leith and north Edinburgh in the 1980s.
He's already spoken to former sheriffs, police, reformed drug addicts and everyday citizens in a bid to build a proper picture of the ethos behind the Irvine Welsh book.
He took the decision to write the book after students from across the world who were studying both the book and the film – which stars Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle – flocked to go on his tour.
He said: "Contemporary Scottish History departments are in universities across the world, and many of them focus on Trainspotting as part of this.
"I've had students from Ireland, Hungary, Canada and Australia all wanting to know more, and by writing this book that will give students another resource to use to find out a lot of things, like why Leith was hit by the HIV epidemic when other places weren't.
"Around 50 per cent of my customers are non-British and they are intrigued to know the story behind the story."
He added: "Trainspotting is studied at universities around the world and the level of interest is such that I am researching a book which will accurately and honestly set the scene for, I believe, one of the most important pieces of Scottish literature in a quarter of a century."
He is expected to continue the information gathering process for another six months before approaching agents and publishers with the finished article.
His Trainspotting Tours have been running for six years in and around Leith, taking people round the likes of the bookies with the "worst toilet in Scotland" and Muirhouse Shopping Centre, which features in the novel. Leith Police Station, Port o' Leith Bar, the Shore and the Banana Flats are also visited. The working title the book has been given is A Trainspotter's Guide.
Mr Bell appreciates the vast differences between the text and the movie script, but said both were important attributes in Scottish culture.
"The book is pure Leith in the 1980s, whereas the film is a pan-Scottish thing from party time in the 90s," he said.
"I think this will be interesting not only to international students studying contemporary Scottish history, but to Leithers too.
"There was a time when people in Edinburgh were told Leith Walk was a no-go area, but by the time the trams are in place it will be very much part of the city centre."
Anyone wishing to submit suggestions to Mr Bell should e-mail him at
mail@leithwalks.co.uk.
