9 eerie underground tunnels and vaults in Edinburgh that have lain empty for years

By Rosalind Erskine

Published 2nd Jul 2019, 16:38 BST

Updated 2nd Jul 2019, 17:38 BST

Picture: Edinburgh's tunnels and vaults

placeholder image — Picture: Edinburgh's tunnels and vaults

With such an interesting history, it's no wonder that Edinburgh has a warren of tunnels and vaults hidden beneath it.

With some have become famous tourist destinations, others have been long forgotten and all have been left uninhabited for years.

Drum Street in Gilmerton is home to the subterranean chambers of a remarkable cave thought to have been inhabited up to 300 years ago. The cave is a 40-feet long passage with a series of unusual rooms and passages.

placeholder image — Drum Street in Gilmerton is home to the subterranean chambers of a remarkable cave thought to have been inhabited up to 300 years ago. The cave is a 40-feet long passage with a series of unusual rooms and passages.

The Innocent line was a horse-drawn railway connecting St Leonards and Dalkeith. Completed in 1831, it was Edinburghs debut railway, and its tunnel is one of the oldest in the United Kingdom.

placeholder image — The Innocent line was a horse-drawn railway connecting St Leonards and Dalkeith. Completed in 1831, it was Edinburghs debut railway, and its tunnel is one of the oldest in the United Kingdom.

Construction on the Scotland Street Tunnel began during the early 1840s but was abandoned in 1868 after only 21 years of operation. A narrow ventilation pipe is now the only visible indication of its existence at its southern end.

placeholder image — Construction on the Scotland Street Tunnel began during the early 1840s but was abandoned in 1868 after only 21 years of operation. A narrow ventilation pipe is now the only visible indication of its existence at its southern end.