Iconic Trainspotting station has to go to rehab

By Michael MacLeod

THE desolate Scots train station made famous in cult film Trainspotting is getting a £400,000 facelift – because it is so popular with tourists.

Corrour station, the highest in the UK at 1,300 feet above sea level, features in Irvine Welsh’s tale of a gang of drug-peddling lowlife pals romping through Edinburgh.

One of the flick’s more sedate scenes shows Renton, played by Scots star Ewan McGregor, enjoying a boozed-up day in the countryside with junkie pals Sick Boy and Spud after getting off a train at Corrour.

And with so many film-lovers following in their footsteps on the West Highland Way, Network Rail decided to completely revamp the station.

Edinburgh International Film Festival programme launched

By Oliver Farrimond

A STAR-STUDDED programme for the Edinburgh International Film Festival was officially unveiled yesterday at the Capital’s Filmhouse cinema.

Festival patrons Tilda Swinton, Seamus McGarvey and Sir Sean Connery will also return for the event, which runs from 17-28 June.

No fewer than 23 films will have their world premieres at the renowned festival, which will include a special showcase on the work of celebrated Scottish film-makers Peter MacDougall and John Mackenzie.

Scots audiences can look forward to a number of Scottish feature films being screened, including a new film from “Hallam Foe” director David Mackenzie, titled “Spread”.