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Gilmerton Cove Edinburgh

4.6

·158 reviews·, United Kingdom

Explore mysterious hand-carved underground tunnels and caverns with debated origins, a truly unique historical adventure.

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more intimate tour

CrowdLow

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Gilmerton Cove Edinburgh

Best Time

Weekdays, mornings

Fewer crowds, more intimate tour

CrowdLow

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Explore mysterious hand-carved underground tunnels and caverns with debated origins, a truly unique historical adventure.

4.6

(158 reviews)

"A hidden gem of a place to explore, very unique and interesting how those coves came to be. "

TIP

Wear Sturdy Footwear

Closed-toe shoes are essential for navigating the uneven terrain. Hiking boots are recommended! :athletic_shoe:

Bring a Jacket

It gets cold underground, so pack an extra layer to stay comfortable during your tour. ☁️

Quick Facts

Rating

4.6 · 158 reviews

Type

Historical Landmark

Address

16 Drum St, Gilmerton, Edinburgh EH17 8QH, UK

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

The Subterranean Chambers

Underground

Explore hand-carved tunnels and caverns with mysterious origins, a truly unique underground adventure.

Visitor Centre & History

Above ground

Learn about the theories surrounding the cove's creation, from ancient rituals to secret meeting places.

The 'Druid Temple' Theory

Main chamber

Discover the intriguing possibility of this site being an ancient 'druid temple' or Mithraeum.

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Planning Your Visit

Check Opening Status Before You Go

Gilmerton Cove has experienced periods of closure, often due to roadworks or water buildup. Always verify its current operational status and booking availability before planning your visit to avoid disappointment.

Book Your Tour in Advance

This unique subterranean attraction operates on an appointment-only basis. While some reviews mention paying on the day, a pre-pay booking system is recommended by visitors to secure your spot and prevent no-shows impacting the attraction.

Best Times

When

Weekdays, mornings

Why

Fewer crowds, more intimate tour

Crowd

Low

When

Between Christmas & New Year

Why

Potentially private tours

Crowd

Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Advice for Tourists #fy #fyp #fypシ #foryou #travel #traveltok #travelbucketlist #traveltips #PlacesToVisit #thingstodo #edinburgh #edfringe #edinburghfringe #visitscotland #hiddengems #travelinspiration #familydayout #edinburghzoo #edinburghhiddengems #explore #viral #traveltiktok #TikTokTaughtMe #hiddengem #hiddenscotland #thingstodoinedinburgh

@auldedinburgh

202.7K likes • 1.8M views

Wear Sturdy Footwear

Closed-toe shoes are essential for navigating the uneven terrain. Hiking boots are recommended! :athletic_shoe:

Bring a Jacket

It gets cold underground, so pack an extra layer to stay comfortable during your tour. ☁️

Hidden gems of Edinburgh When people think of Edinburgh they often picture the Royal Mile, Arthur’s Seat and Edinburgh Castle. But anyone who has spent a lot of time in this city will know there are many other local spots that make this city worth a visit. So, we’ve collated five of our favourite hidden gems for visitors looking to experience the city like a local: 📍Jupiter Artland - spend a day w...

@traveltwo

128.1K likes • 1.7M views

#gilmertoncove last year. Took a tour party down here and what a remarkable place. No one knows if it’s 300, 500 or a 1000 years old. Incredible place. Possibly a hideout for the #knightstemplar and or #covenanters also a #blacksmiths and #illegaldrinkingden located on the south of #edinburgh in #gilmerton. Rumour has it there is a tunnel running direct to #rosslynchapel but it’s not been discover...

edinburgh_cab_tours

32 likes • 0 views

Check Opening Status

Gilmerton Cove has had temporary closures; always confirm it's open before visiting. ⚠️

Easy Bus Access

Easily reachable by bus from central Edinburgh, making it a convenient day trip. 🚌

Gilmerton Cove Edinburgh, Scotland This series of Scottish caves has no clear purpose other than baffling historians. The Edinburgh suburb of Gilmerton was at one time a thriving mining community, but there are a series of caves and passages beneath the village that were dug for some mysterious purpose that certainly did not involve farming ore. Known collectively as Gilmerton Cove, the network...

cdusapnwregion

5 likes • 0 views

Tips

from all over the internet

Wear Sturdy Footwear

Closed-toe shoes are essential for navigating the uneven terrain. Hiking boots are recommended! :athletic_shoe:

Bring a Jacket

It gets cold underground, so pack an extra layer to stay comfortable during your tour. ☁️

Check Opening Status

Gilmerton Cove has had temporary closures; always confirm it's open before visiting. ⚠️

Easy Bus Access

Easily reachable by bus from central Edinburgh, making it a convenient day trip. 🚌

Mobile & Mobile Only

You need to be mobile to descend stairs and navigate the chambers. Not suitable for those with mobility issues. 🚶

What Travellers Say

4.6

(158 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise Gilmerton Cove as a 'hidden gem' and a 'unique and surprising discovery' with a captivating underground exploration. The mystery surrounding its origins and the intriguing hand-carved chambers are major highlights. However, potential visitors should be aware of its appointment-only nature and the need to confirm opening status, as it has experienced temporary closures.

"What a hidden gem of a place to explore. If you are in the Edinburgh area, Gilmerton Cove is definitely worth the bus ride over. It's very unique and interesting how those coves came to be and who really made them? The tour can last a while and there is some climbing around involved. You don't need to be athletic to do this tour but you do need to be mobile. Make sure you wear your close toed shoes, I prefer my hiking boots for this tour and it can get cold down there so make sure you have brought your jacket with you as well."

Brunza LaBore

"This place is wonderful! We visited between Christmas and New Year. We arrived before anyone else and the lady who met us was absolutely lovely, and immediately made us feel at ease and began to tell us a little about the cove. But the real 'wow' starts when you decent the stairs in your hard hat and see what's hiding below! We thoroughly enjoyed every moment of the tour. I do think they would benefit hugely by having an online pre-pay booking system, since out of the 11 people that should have been on our tour only 4 of us turned up. At the moment you pay on the day, so the cove lost out on the ticket price for 7 people who couldn't be bothered to turn up which is incredibly sad since there was also a waiting list. I appreciate this would probably be costly to implement but it would mean the cove did not lose out for no-shows. This a small out of town attraction (you'll need to get a bus, but it's very easy to find) and really relies on people visiting. And you absolutely should!"

Clare Smalley

"Interesting subterranean chambers of speculative origin.
My opinion, this site began as a Mithrium and has had various uses over 1700 years. Others suggest the site dates back 300 years with various opinions for its use such as a Masonic lodge, illegal whisky still, abandoned mine or a family home.
Whatever and whenever this site is, it's highly recommended a visit to."

Bruce Evans

What People Like

Unique underground chambers

Historical mystery

Hidden gem experience

What People Dislike

Inconsistent opening status

Booking system issues

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Gilmerton Cove is located in the suburb of Gilmerton, south of Edinburgh. It's easily accessible by bus from the city centre. Several bus routes serve the area, making it a straightforward journey. Check local bus timetables for the most direct options.

Information on dedicated parking is limited, but given its location in a residential area, street parking may be available nearby. However, using public transport is often recommended for ease of access.

Yes, some visitors suggest it's possible to combine a visit with other nearby attractions like Craigmillar Castle, making for a longer exploration day.

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Gilmerton Cove operates on an appointment-only basis. While some visitors have paid on the day, it's highly recommended to book in advance to secure your spot and avoid disappointment. Contact them directly via phone, email, or social media, though response times can vary.

Specific pricing details are best confirmed directly with Gilmerton Cove when booking your appointment. Visitors have noted that a pre-pay system would be beneficial to prevent no-shows.

Gilmerton Cove has experienced periods of temporary closure, sometimes due to roadworks or water buildup. It's crucial to check their current operational status before planning your visit.

Tours at Gilmerton Cove can last a while, offering an in-depth exploration of the subterranean chambers.

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are a must for navigating the uneven underground surfaces. Many visitors recommend wearing hiking boots. Additionally, it can be cold below ground, so bringing a jacket or warm layer is advised.

No, Gilmerton Cove is not suitable for individuals with significant mobility issues. The tour involves descending stairs and moving around in the chambers, requiring a good level of mobility.

The exact origins and purpose of Gilmerton Cove are a mystery, sparking much speculation. Theories range from a Mithraeum (ancient Roman temple), a Masonic lodge, an illegal whisky still, an abandoned mine, or even a family home. Some suggest it dates back 1700 years, while others believe it's around 300 years old.

The 'hidden gem' aspect of Gilmerton Cove lies in its mysterious, hand-carved subterranean chambers, which are unlike anything else in the region. The intrigue surrounding its purpose and age adds to its allure.

Rumours suggest a tunnel may run from Gilmerton Cove to Rosslyn Chapel, but this has not been discovered.

📸 📸 Photography

Photography is generally permitted inside Gilmerton Cove, allowing you to capture the unique atmosphere of the underground chambers.

The most striking photo opportunities are within the hand-carved chambers themselves, showcasing the intricate stonework and mysterious ambiance.