For me, one of the most charming things about Edinburgh is that a lot of it is made up of little districts that use to be separate villages. Only a short 10-minute walk from the main Princes Street, you’ll find King George V Park. It’s now a peaceful little city park providing access routes to cyclists in the North of the city.
However, up until 1840, this entire area was a rural meadow and loch. The loch was drained in 1842 to make for a railway and goods yard; Scotland Street Station was born. This busy railway line ran all the way up to Edinburgh’s main Waverly Station, right under the city!
What’s magical about this line is that most of the locals have forgotten that it’s there. And, unless you’re looking for it, you’d never know it was there, either. In 1868 they closed the tunnel, but they did use it for other things – it was the city’s biggest air-raid shelter during the Second World War, and it was also used for mushroom growing!
The tunnel’s story has a sad ending that leaves the line somewhat frozen in time. In 1980, the council destroyed the entrance at Waverly Station. However, the enormous entranceway at Scotland Street remains, caged up so that nobody can get in or out. I like to take people down there to give them a lesser-told Edinburgh history lesson.
Eyre Place 94
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Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
This park holds a hidden treasure from the 16th century! These siege works are believed to be the only ones from the 16th century found in Britain.
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"Dean Cemetery" in Edinburgh keeps some fascinating stories hidden in the gravestones. My favorite is that of the man behind the phrase 'botched job...'
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"Campervan Brewery" and their amazing taproom in Edinburgh is the perfect place for a post-lockdown pint. You should try their Trainspotting beer!
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Plant based or not, if you love donuts, you HAVE to take a trip to "Considerat Chocolate" in Edinburgh! You won't even notice they're vegan...
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"J.K. Rowling’s Golden Handprints" is one of the tons of Harry Potter-related sights in Edinburgh that most fans miss. Tourists wander right past it!
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Edinburgh's Leith Walk is filling up fast with trendy new coffee shops, bakeries, and local maker stores - "Nott Wine Bar" is one of my favourites!
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"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...
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Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...
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The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...
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"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...
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"Dance Base" is an award-winning building in Edinburgh established to provide classes, workshops & performances. Please do join me in dancing!
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"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!
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138 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
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