Gilmerton Cove
Gilmerton Cove is a cave situated underground, below 16 Drum Street in Gilmerton. It is claimed that a local blacksmith, George Paterson, spent five years digging out the cave from the sandstone with his own hands. The structure was completed in 1724 and contains several 'rooms' inside, including beds, tables and chairs, as well as a forge, all carved from stone. He lived there until 1737, and it is said that he was excused from paying rates on the property because the authorities were so impressed by his creating and living in this unique underground habitiat.
There is evidence, however to suggest that he, in fact, didn’t actually carve out the cave himself. An Assistant museum keeper, in 1897 was asked to survey the property and came to the conclusion that the work was more probably carried out at least 100 years earlier than was claimed. He based this on the marks left in the rock by the carving which seemed to have been made by picks rather than chisels, which would have been used had the smithy really carried out the work. Additionally, he did not believe that it could have been completed by one man in the five years claimed by Paterson.
Each room is lit by a skylight allowing natural light to enter and there are some home 'comforts.' One of the tables even has a punch bowl carved into it, causing him some problem with the local clergy; even eventually being summoned to court where he was reprimanded for supplying alcohol to visitors on a Sunday.
A draining channel was discovered during the excavation work in the 1970’s, running along opposite the punch-bowl table, and inside, is a two foot hole, buried underneath 200 years worth of deposits. It is yet to be fully investigated. As are the rumours connecting it with witches, Covenanters, Templars, Freemasons and even the Holy Grail!
For more information on this go to these web sites: www.gilmertoncove.org.uk
Scottish Troglodytes: The Gilmerton Cove
Gazetteer for Scotland: Gilmerton Cove
The Scotsman: Secrets below the streets of Edinburgh
South Edinburgh Echo: Scary Stories!
British Archaeology magazine: Drinking den below streets of Edinburgh
BBC News: 'Hellfire' tunnels open to public
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