Uncovering Edinburgh – There’s no denying that Edinburgh is a historical city. The skyline of the Scottish capital itself, dominated by the medieval structure of Edinburgh Castle and Arthur’s Seat, a volcanic outcrop wrapped in myths and legends, is an unforgettable introduction to the power of the past in this celebrated city.
But if you really want to get to grips with the history of the city, consider heading underground on your next UK staycation.
Uncovering Edinburgh’s Hidden Underground
Edinburgh has experienced several different cycles of boom and bust through the centuries, and that has left the city with layers of historical places to explore. Beneath the bustling streets of the city and the famous historic structures of the Royal Mile, you can encounter a hidden history of Edinburgh that’s just as fascinating as the better-known monuments.
Leave your bags behind at an Edinburgh luggage storage and venture underground to discover the secrets of Edinburgh. Scottish history is just waiting to be explored in these unique locations. Besides history, Edinburgh is also an important business hub for local and foreign investors who come here to open companies and to benefit from the local opportunities.
Mary King’s Close
Edinburgh’s old town is a fascinating place to explore for any history lover. But few people suspect as they admire the Edinburgh City Chambers that this incredibly preserved street lies just beneath their feet and provides an encounter with the history of Edinburgh that is unrivalled anywhere else.
During the 17th century, this street and the ones surrounding it were some of the most vibrant in Edinburgh. The close itself takes its name from Mary King, a local merchant who was well-known in the area.
However, this neighbourhood eventually became the centre of strange tales of hauntings and other supernatural occurrences. The area suffered greatly from the plague that hit Edinburgh in the mid-17th century, and when the city began to regenerate, this entire area was bulldozed to build the new centre of town.
That act of destruction ended up saving this place as a historical monument. Now, you can venture down below the streets of the city and explore Mary King’s Close and the surrounding streets for yourself. It’s an incredible experience to see the shops and houses that were once part of Edinburgh the way they were 400 years ago, with many of them barely touched since then. Visiting the Close is a great way to delve into the history of regular people in the city, as opposed to the kings and rulers you’ll learn about at other historical sites like Edinburgh Castle.
Of course, if you’re interested in the supernatural, this is also a great place to come. Famous for ghostly stories even before it was buried in the ground, this may be one of the spookiest locations in all of Edinburgh. The company that operates the Close provides ghost tours so that you can hear blood-chilling tales that will expose you to the darker side of Edinburgh’s history.
Mary King’s Close is open every day of the week from 9 AM to 6 PM, with late opening till 7 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. This popular attraction often sells out, so make sure you book well in advance if you want to visit while you’re in Edinburgh.
Blair Street Underground Vaults
Mary King’s Close may be the most famous buried attraction in the Scottish capital, but it’s certainly not the only one. Visit this location for another encounter with the seedy side of the city’s history, and you’ll have a better chance of escaping crowded tours as you do.
Edinburgh’s South Bridge was built in 1788 and quickly became a popular shopping street. While people did their shopping in the sunlight above the bridge, a clandestine world flourished underneath its massive arches. The arches leaked, making them unpopular with legitimate businesses, but gambling dens, brothels, and speakeasies thrived in the subterranean location. There was also slum housing for some of Edinburgh’s poorest residents, and the neighbourhood under the bridge quickly became notorious for crime and squalor.
In the 19th century, during one of Edinburgh’s periods of urban regeneration, the city made the decision to clear the slums. They drove out the seedy businesses and filled in the vaults underneath the bridges with rubble to prevent them from coming back. Over subsequent generations, this subterranean world was all but forgotten until it was rediscovered in the 1980s.
Now, you can take a tour of this once-notorious neighbourhood and see it for yourself. Along the way, you’ll hear about the poverty and crime in this neighbourhood and learn more about Edinburgh’s most notorious serial killers, Burke and Hare, who may have plied their dark trade in this neglected area. It’s a fascinating place to understand a dark chapter in the city’s history.
Gilmerton Cove
What’s history without a little bit of mystery? Located in the former mining village of Gilmerton just to the southeast of Edinburgh city centre, this labyrinth of underground passageways refuses to give up its mysteries to this day.
Historical records show that Gilmerton Cove already existed back in the early 18th century when a local blacksmith was accused of selling liquor on the Sabbath illegally in the underground passages. Several archaeological investigations have been carried out here, but the true age and purpose of the tunnels are still not known, and many of the passages have never been explored to this day.
Available to visit only by booking a tour in advance, this little-known location is shrouded in mystery, but it’s a great place to get beneath the surface and ponder how much about the past we don’t really know.
Edinburgh underground
Every city has its dark side. And sometimes, it’s the lightless passages that are the most interesting to explore. These fascinating Edinburgh locations are the perfect place to get to grips with some of the darker stories of the city and ponder the mysteries of the past. Drop off your bags and investigate the hidden side of Edinburgh for yourself, and you’ll see parts of the city even many locals have never been to.
About Debz Louise
Debz Louise is a UK-based lifestyle expert and the founder of several lifestyle blogs. Specialising in everything from interior design and home renovation to body-positive fashion and parenting, Debz brings a wealth of hands-on experience to every guide. Her mission at Stereotude is to simplify the modern world for her readers through expert curation and fiercely honest advice.