Trainspotting, at the time of the novel’s writing, was a hobby of Londoners interested in trains. Almost like bird watching, “trainspotters” would look over the trains, note their different characteristics, and mark them off in their notebooks. When Frank’s father asks Frank and Mark if they are trainspotting at Leith Central Station, he’s being sarcastic; the station is derelict and no longer has any trains running.

Irvine named the novel “Trainspotting” to emphasize the pointlessness of the Skag Boys’ existence, suggesting existential nihilism, or the belief in the meaninglessness of life. Mark has existential nihilistic leanings as well, pointing out: “We fill up oor lives wi shite, things like careers and relationships tae delude oorsels that it isnae aw totally pointless” (90).

Frank’s father delivers the comparison between the junky life and trainspotting at an empty station. This choice of character suggests that the Skag Boys are only partially responsible for their pointless lives, owing some of their failings to accidents of birth. Had Frank’s father been a sober man, Frank may not have been a violent man.

The most obvious theme running through the narrative and guiding it is that of addiction. The Skag Boys will go to great lengths for drugs.