Help rescue gem of an attraction hidden under Edinburgh street

Gilmerton Cove is one of Edinburgh’s most precious hidden gems. Reputedly built by Blacksmith Robert Paterson – though that is widely disputed, the Cove lies under the bookmakers on Drum Street in Gilmerton.

In the 1700s it was a popular local attraction that was visited by the great and the good of the city.

In the years that followed the Cove fell into disuse and disrepair. It reopened as part of the council’s regeneration of Gilmerton town centre in 2003. It was run as a very successful visitor attraction by the hugely knowledgeable Margaretann Dugan and at its peak attracted 30,000 visitors a year. Indeed, at one point it was even more highly rated than Edinburgh Castle on Tripadvisor.

However, outdated electrics and water penetration again caused the Cove to close after the Covid pandemic. Local history buff and campaigner Maureen Watson is campaigning to raise funds to repair and reopen the Cove again as a visitor attraction.

This Friday the Gilmerton Cove Heritage Project is running an exhibition on the Cove in Gilmerton Library between 11.30 and 4pm.

Edinburgh has a long and proud history of looking after its historic buildings and most of the ones that now need repair are, like Gilmerton Cove, outside the city centre World Heritage Sites. Indeed, almost none of the 4,000 plus listed buildings in the World Heritage Site are in disrepair, such has been the city’s success in repairing its historic buildings.

So, if you’re around on Friday you can find out more about one of the city’s hidden gems and about how it might be saved or check out the Gilmerton Cove Heritage Project’s Facebook page for more information about this amazing building. Gilmerton Cove has been a success as a visitor attraction and hopefully it can be again.