Final Trainspotting chapter to unfold in Leith

● Irvine Welsh to launch last part of trilogy at old biscuit factory

Irvine Welsh is to host a huge warehouse party in his native Leith to launch the final instalment of his Trainspotting trilogy – in which one of his characters will be killed off.

The author will join forces with the Edinburgh International Book Festival and arts collective Neu! Reekie! to take over a former Crawford’s biscuit factory for the 300-capacity event.

A host of special guests are expected to perform at the event, along with Welsh, who will be reading excerpts from the novel Dead Men’s Trousers,whichreunitesrenton, Begbie, Spud and Sick Boy when they are in their fifties.

Welsh, who has already hinted that Dead Men’s Trousers could form the basis for another film, will also be interviewed about the book, which fans will be able to buy

0 Author Irvine Welsh says that he is ‘delighted to be heading back, and I expect, nay crave, a wild night’ five days ahead of its publication. The book, to be launched at the Biscuit Factory arts hub on 24 March, reunites Welsh’s famous characters in the months running up to his favourite football team, Hibs, ending a long Scottish Cup hoodoo.

The story unfolds after a chance encounter between Renton, now an “international jetsetter” managing DJS, and reinvented artist Begbie.

Welsh said: “The book will be the last time the four main characters are together. As they grow older it becomes unrealistic to see them having further significant adventures as a quartet. I’ve no doubt that some might resurface in any future books, but as a gang they’re sadly done.

“It’s great to basically end their adventures where they started off, right in Leith at the Biscuit Factory. It’s very close to my Auntie Betty’s old house where we would all assemble as kids before going to Easter Road for the football or the State Cinema for the matinees.

“So Leith, and specifically that part of it, plays a huge role in the formation of those characters who are now known all over the world. Without sounding like a nostalgic old radge, I’m delighted to be heading back, and I expect, nay crave, a wild night.”

Roland Gulliver, associate director of the book festival, said “We’re delighted to be partnering with our good friends Neu! Reekie! to launch Irvine Welsh’s new novel, Dead Man’s Trousers, the latest instalment of the escapades of Edinburgh’s most infamous literary heroes.

“We are always exploring new venues and audiences and having begun the year marking the Muriel Spark centenary at the Usher Hall and it’s only fitting that we head to Leith, and the atmospheric Biscuit Factory, to celebrate Irvine Welsh, a writer who has defined Edinburgh for a new generation of readers.”