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.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.
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.

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.
Gary Flockhart
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.

Niddry Street Vaults.

5. Niddry Street Vaults

Niddry Street Vaults. Photo: PAMELA GRIGG

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The vast ad labyrinthine Waverley vaults were built during the redevelopment of Waverley Station by the North British Railway Company in the mid-1890s. Previously used for storage by nearby traders at Market Street, the vaults, which effectively support a large section of Waverley Station, now lie mostly empty and unused.

6. Waverley Vaults

The vast ad labyrinthine Waverley vaults were built during the redevelopment of Waverley Station by the North British Railway Company in the mid-1890s. Previously used for storage by nearby traders at Market Street, the vaults, which effectively support a large section of Waverley Station, now lie mostly empty and unused. Photo: Colin Hattersley

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Buried 100 feet beneath Corstorphine Hill lies a chilling remnant of the Cold War: a secret bunker equipped to house hundreds of state and military officials in the event of nuclear fallout. The 1950s-built bunker, one of the only surviving types in the UK, was used to receive intelligence from radar stations across Scotland.

7. Barnton Quarry nuclear bunker

Buried 100 feet beneath Corstorphine Hill lies a chilling remnant of the Cold War: a secret bunker equipped to house hundreds of state and military officials in the event of nuclear fallout. The 1950s-built bunker, one of the only surviving types in the UK, was used to receive intelligence from radar stations across Scotland. Photo: Ian Georgeson

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Situated below homes at Liberton Gardens and Alnwickhill Road, the giant brick-built storage tank at Alnwickhill Waterworks dates back to 1875. Covering a space around half the size of Charlotte Square, the 15-million gallon tank once stored the city's water.

8. Alnwickhill Waterworks

Situated below homes at Liberton Gardens and Alnwickhill Road, the giant brick-built storage tank at Alnwickhill Waterworks dates back to 1875. Covering a space around half the size of Charlotte Square, the 15-million gallon tank once stored the city's water. Photo: Contributed

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