Blurs

Beneath the streets of Gilmerton, on the southern edge of Edinburgh, lies a place that seems strangely out of step with its surroundings.  Hidden beneath an unassuming building is a complex of narrow passages, chambers, benches, tables and other features carved directly into the sandstone bedrock. Known as Gilmerton Cove, the underground complex has fascinated antiquarians, archaeologists and curious visitors for more than two centuries. Its physical existence is not mysterious: someone clearly excavated it by hand. What remains uncertain is exactly when it was created, who created it and what they originally intended it for. And that uncertainty has allowed an extraordinary collection of theories to grow around it. A subterranean complex beneath Gilmerton The Cove consists of several interconnected spaces cut into the underlying sandstone. Historic Environment Scotland describes a principal passage approximately 40 feet long, with rooms branching from either side. A flight of twel...