Gilmerton Cove
Encyclopedia
Gilmerton Cove is a series of underground passageways and chamber
s hand-carved from sandstone
located beneath the streets of Gilmerton, an ex-mining village, now a suburb of Edinburgh
, Scotland
.
A five-year collaborative project between Gilmerton Heritage Trust and The City of Edinburgh Council allowed the newly-restored Cove to open in 2003 as an educational resource for the community as well as a fun place to visit.
There are many theories about the origins of the Cove and its purpose. It is known that it was the 18th century residence of local blacksmith
, George Paterson. The parish
records show that he was reprimanded for allowing alcohol to be consumed within the Cove on the sabbath.
It is not known whether George Paterson was responsible for carving the Cove.
Popular theories are that it was used as a drinking den
for local gentry
, a Covenanters refuge, and a smugglers' lair. Extensive archaeological and historical research has failed to resolve the mystery. In 2007, the documentary television series Cities of the Underworld
featured Gilmerton Cove in the episode Scotland's Sin City which postulates that the Cove was linked to a nearby Hellfire Club
building via a secret passage
.
Room
A room is any distinguishable space within a structure.Room may also refer to:* Room , by Emma Donoghue* Room, Nepal* Room for PlayStation Portable, a social networking service* Thomas Gerald Room , Australian mathematician...
s hand-carved from sandstone
Sandstone
Sandstone is a sedimentary rock composed mainly of sand-sized minerals or rock grains.Most sandstone is composed of quartz and/or feldspar because these are the most common minerals in the Earth's crust. Like sand, sandstone may be any colour, but the most common colours are tan, brown, yellow,...
located beneath the streets of Gilmerton, an ex-mining village, now a suburb of Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
A five-year collaborative project between Gilmerton Heritage Trust and The City of Edinburgh Council allowed the newly-restored Cove to open in 2003 as an educational resource for the community as well as a fun place to visit.
There are many theories about the origins of the Cove and its purpose. It is known that it was the 18th century residence of local blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
, George Paterson. The parish
Parish
A parish is a territorial unit historically under the pastoral care and clerical jurisdiction of one parish priest, who might be assisted in his pastoral duties by a curate or curates - also priests but not the parish priest - from a more or less central parish church with its associated organization...
records show that he was reprimanded for allowing alcohol to be consumed within the Cove on the sabbath.
It is not known whether George Paterson was responsible for carving the Cove.
Popular theories are that it was used as a drinking den
Den
Den may refer to:*Den , a part of a house similar to the living room: a den is about the size of a living room, but smaller than a family room*Den , a Ukrainian newspaper*Den , a Pharaoh of Egypt...
for local gentry
Gentry
Gentry denotes "well-born and well-bred people" of high social class, especially in the past....
, a Covenanters refuge, and a smugglers' lair. Extensive archaeological and historical research has failed to resolve the mystery. In 2007, the documentary television series Cities of the Underworld
Cities of the Underworld
Cities of the Underworld was an American documentary television series that premiered on March 2, 2007 on History. The program explored the subterranean environment and culture beneath various civilizations...
featured Gilmerton Cove in the episode Scotland's Sin City which postulates that the Cove was linked to a nearby Hellfire Club
Hellfire Club
The Hellfire Club was a name for several exclusive clubs for high society rakes established in Britain and Ireland in the 18th century, and was more formally or cautiously known as the "Order of the Friars of St. Francis of Wycombe"...
building via a secret passage
Secret passage
Secret passages, also commonly referred to as hidden passages or secret tunnels, are hidden routes used for stealthy travel. Such passageways are sometimes inside buildings leading to secret rooms. Others allow occupants to enter or exit buildings without being seen...
.