![]() ![]() You can check out the chambers for yourself, find out more on the Gilmerton Cove website.It’s almost 100 years since ‘Boy King’ Tutankhamun’s tomb was discovered. Now’s your last chance to see its treasures before they’re returned to Egypt… Other theories behind the the passageways include it being a Witches Coven and a Knights Templar Retreat.Īny and all of the speculations surrounding Gilmerton Cove’s past could be true, though it’s likely we’ll never know for sure. It’s possible that locals created a hideaway to stay safe from invasion. ![]() The cove’s use as a hiding place also comes into play in another theory, which argues the tunnels were made in the 16th century at the time of the Battle of Flodden.Īfter King James VI and his army were destroyed by the English at the Battle of Flodden, many felt another invasion was imminent. They became a persecuted minority after the 1660 Restoration, with death penalties and torture imposed for any Covenanters preaching in public - and many held services in hidden places to avoid persecution. The Covenanters took control of Scotland after the Bishop Wars, pushing against changes imposed on the kirk. He reported that it was unlikely that one man could have carried out the work in only a few years, and concluded that the Gilmerton Cove went back much further than the 18th century.Īside from being the Gilmerton local drinking hole, another popular theory argues that it could have been used to house Covenanters in the 17th century.Ĭovenanters were those who supported the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, and were part of a religious movement following disputes with King James I.Įxtensive archaeological and historical research has failed to resolve the mystery (Image: Gilmerton Heritage Trust) In 1897, an Assistant Keeper at the National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh made a detailed study of the caves. Parish records from the time show he was reprimanded for allowing alcohol to be consumed in the cove on the Sabbath, though it is not known if George carved the cove himself. Sign up to our Edinburgh Live nostalgia newsletters for more local history and heritage content straight to your inbox George was an 18th century local blacksmith, who is thought to have lived in the cove between 17. The Hellfire Clubs were a nationwide association of high society members who engaged in ‘immoral activities’ and mocked religion, dining on ‘Holy Ghost Pie’ and ‘Devil’s Loin.’Īnother contributing factor to the theory that Gilmerton Cove was an underground boozer comes from George Paterson. The cove, which is built around a main corridor that stretches over forty feet, has two separate entrances carved from natural sandstone.Īlso connected via a secret passage, was the nearby Hellfire Club. The 'punch bowl' sits amongst the dimly lit passageways (Image: Flickr Creative Commons - Angus McDiarmid) The City of Edinburgh Council collaborated with Gilmerton Heritage Trust to open the cove as an educational resource for the community, as well as a visitors attraction. While the Gilmerton Cove is thought to have been there for centuries, it wasn't until 2003 that the newly restored cave was opened to the public. Scottish guest leaves Lorraine speechless after revealing her boyfriend was undercover cop.Michelin-starred chef claps back at diner who refused beef on £115 tasting menu.While the origins remain a mystery, there are rumours the caves were used as a drinking den.Īn ex-mining village, Gilmerton now sits right on the edge of the city four miles from the centre. In Gilmerton, an underground set of hand carved tunnels lay under the suburb, thought to date back to the 18th century. READ MORE - Gordon Ramsay's Edinburgh restaurant 'sorry' over diner's late £100 beef wellington What a lot of tourists, and locals, don't know about - is what's lurking underneath our streets. We all know about Edinburgh's landmark attractions we've got the castle, we've got Arthurs Seat, we've got Holyrood House.
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