Gilmerton Cove

Gilmerton Cove is an underground network of passages and chambers carved into sandstone beneath the streets of southeastern Edinburgh. The spaces show evidence of careful hand-work on their walls and connect multiple rooms that may have served different purposes.

This site first appeared in church records from 1721 in Edinburgh. Attention grew when George Paterson was accused of selling alcohol to visitors inside the caves.

Local stories link this place to secret meetings and smuggling operations, tales that still circulate among Edinburgh residents and visitors alike. Walking through the carved chambers today, one can sense how these narratives have shaped the way people understand this underground world.

Access is by guided tour only, as the site is protected and visitors must be accompanied by trained guides. Wear comfortable shoes and prepare for tight, damp conditions typical of underground spaces.

Technology studies using ground-penetrating radar in 2017 suggested that more unexplored passages might exist beneath Edinburgh. This finding hints that the known network could be just a portion of a larger underground system.

Location: City of Edinburgh

Location: Edinburgh

GPS coordinates: 55.90560,-3.13311

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:41