What to read and watch before visiting Edinburgh

From touching tales of love and loss to troubling stories from the city’s darker days, Edinburgh has set the scene for books and films spanning all genres. Be it the Old Town’s romantic charm, sweeping views from Arthur’s Seat or the once rough exterior of Leith, the Scottish capital has inspired writers and directors for many years.

That’s why we’ve rounded up the top books and films to read and watch ahead of your trip, to help you get a feel for the Scottish capital and ensure you make the most of it.

BOOKS

Trainspotting, by Irvine Welsh

No Edinburgh literature list is complete without a mention of Trainspotting. Welsh’s cult classic delves into the author’s hometown of Leith, recounting the highs and lows of a group of struggling addicts. With the help of a hit 1996 film of the same name, Trainspotting’s series of short stories sheds light on the hardships some of Leith’s residents – and the city itself – experienced in the late 1980s. Don’t let the book put you off visiting this coastal corner of the capital though – today’s Leith is a far cry from the gritty city portrayed in Trainspotting, now a trendy area boasting microbreweries, contemporary art galleries and Michelin-starred restaurants. Choose Penthouse Western Harbour for views over Leith’s waterfront.

The Heart of Midlothian, by Sir Walter Scott

Take a trip back to 18th-century Edinburgh, with Sir Walter Scott’s The Heart of Midlothian. Set at the time of the real-life Porteous Riots in 1736, this book tells a tale of political unrest, religion and one woman’s quest for justice. A significant setting for the story is the Old Tolbooth prison, a medieval jail feared for its horrific conditions and brutal punishment. While the notorious Old Tolbooth was demolished in 1817, today you’ll find a heart-shaped mosaic called the Heart of Midlothian in its place – just a few minutes from a monument to Sir Walter Scott himself. The Balmoral Hotel is a short walk from both of these historic landmarks.

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Dame Muriel Spark

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is a must-read for many – even if you’re not heading up to Edinburgh. The stars of this story are the outspoken Miss Brodie – a school teacher with a tendency to stray from the curriculum – and her group of ‘crème de la crème’ ten-year-old students. Miss Brodie helps her young protégés navigate 1930s Edinburgh, teaching them less-than-appropriate lessons in love, art and fascism along the way. The book, and indeed the film and TV series adaptations, are dotted with mentions of the capital, including Edinburgh Castle and the famous Grassmarket area. Book a room right beside both in the heart of the Old Town, at Apex City of Edinburgh Hotel.

FILMS

The Illusionist, directed by Sylvain Chomet

Created using hand-drawn animations and warm watercolours, The Illusionist is a touching visual tribute to the Scottish capital. The film follows a down-on-his-luck French magician as he finds new friends, new jobs and a new life in 1950s Edinburgh. With very little dialogue throughout, you’re free to focus on delicately designed animations of Jenners Department Store, Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle. Stay on the very same road the main characters lived on, at Destiny Scotland – Broughton St Lofts.

Chariots of Fire, directed by Hugh Hudson

While you’ll need to head to St. Andrews to recreate that beach run scene, you’ll find plenty of Chariots of Fire filming locations in Edinburgh too. The award-laden film tells the story of two British sprinters on their journey to the 1924 Olympics. One of these is Eric Liddell, a religious Scotsman who made a name for himself as one of the fastest around while studying at the University of Edinburgh. Follow in his footsteps at Holyrood Park and The Mound, before resting up at Princes Street Suites.

One Day, directed by Lone Scherfig

London and Paris might get lots of screen time in One Day – but it’s the Scottish capital that sets this romantic drama in motion. Having just graduated from the University of Edinburgh, Dexter (Jim Sturgess) and Emma (Anne Hathaway) spend the 15th of July 1988 exploring the city. After the characters part ways as friends, the film revisits them on the same date each year, at various stages in their careers and intertwined love lives. Check in at Hotel Ceilidh-Donia, and relive key movie moments with a walk up Arthur’s Seat.

Burke and Hare, directed by John Landis

Horror-comedy Burke and Hare offers a light-hearted take on gruesome, true events from Edinburgh in the 1820s. With anatomy studies booming and medical schools paying a high price for cadavers, William Burke and William Hare resort to some unsavoury methods to make the money roll in. While the film’s crude jokes might not be for everyone, it’s worth a watch to see Landis’ impression of the capital from days gone by. Stay a stone’s throw away from historical hotspots at The Witchery by the Castle.