Hidden Edinburgh: 9 incredible pictures of the hidden tunnels and spooky underground vaults beneath Edinburgh

Edinburgh’s underbelly is interwoven with a hidden patchwork of tunnels, passageways and chambers.

By Gary Flockhart

Published 26th Oct 2022, 15:11 BST

Updated 4th Aug 2023, 14:45 BST

While some have become famous tourist destinations, others have been long forgotten and left uninhabited for decades.

Here, we take a look at nine eerie tunnels and vaults hidden beneath the Capital’s streets.

Drum Street in Gilmerton is home to the ‘subterranean chambers of a remarkable cave’ thought to have been inhabited up to 300 years ago. Situated around ten feet below the surface, the Cove consists of a 40-feet long passage with an unusual series of rooms and passages on each side. It became a tourist attraction in 2003.

1. Gilmerton Cove

Drum Street in Gilmerton is home to the ‘subterranean chambers of a remarkable cave’ thought to have been inhabited up to 300 years ago. Situated around ten feet below the surface, the Cove consists of a 40-feet long passage with an unusual series of rooms and passages on each side. It became a tourist attraction in 2003. Photo: Phil Wilkinson

Built around 1821, the little-known Crawley Tunnel is actually an aqueduct that transported water from Glencorse Reservoir. It runs for about a mile from The Meadows to the Grassmarket and The Mound where it meets Princes Street.

2. Crawley Tunnel

Built around 1821, the little-known Crawley Tunnel is actually an aqueduct that transported water from Glencorse Reservoir. It runs for about a mile from The Meadows to the Grassmarket and The Mound where it meets Princes Street. Photo: Photographer: Scott Louden

When the city's South Bridge was built in the 1780s, the architects incorporated a series of vaults into its 19 arches. Hidden from view beneath the bridge and hemmed in by buildings, the spooky vaults, which were at one time used to house taverns, cobblers and even a distillery, were eventually abandoned due to the lack of light and sanitation.

3. South Bridge Vaults

When the city's South Bridge was built in the 1780s, the architects incorporated a series of vaults into its 19 arches. Hidden from view beneath the bridge and hemmed in by buildings, the spooky vaults, which were at one time used to house taverns, cobblers and even a distillery, were eventually abandoned due to the lack of light and sanitation. Photo: Greg Macvean

Four centuries ago the once densely-populated Mary King’s Close would have been open to the skies. In 1753 a number of streets and houses were deemed uninhabitable, and were cleared and covered over for the Royal Exchange. The resulting network of underground streets and homes is now a top city tourist attraction.

4. Mary King's Close

Four centuries ago the once densely-populated Mary King’s Close would have been open to the skies. In 1753 a number of streets and houses were deemed uninhabitable, and were cleared and covered over for the Royal Exchange. The resulting network of underground streets and homes is now a top city tourist attraction. Photo: Lisa Ferguson