The spooky abandoned Edinburgh tunnel that runs beneath the Scottish capital
29.01.2024 - 13:43
/ dailyrecord.co.uk
Whether you live in Edinburgh or just visit the Scottish capital regularly, you may be unaware that there is a massive abandoned train tunnel that runs directly underneath the city.
Back in the 1840s, work started on a railway that would create a link between the north of Edinburgh and Canal Street Station — better known today as Edinburgh Waverley. Construction involved the creation of a major tunnel from Canonmills that ran beneath Scotland Street, Dublin Street, and St Andrew Square.
As reported by Edinburgh Live, the tunnel cost more than £100,000 at the time and was officially opened on May 17, 1847. It allowed passenger trains to travel between Waverley and Granton, though required them to be hauled by a steel rope and winding engine due to the steep incline.
In spite of the difficult construction and substantial cost, the kilometre-long Scotland Street Tunnel was deserted after only 21 years of use. This is because, during that time, the North British Railway company opened a more efficient route that served the northern areas of Edinburgh.
A few decades after the tunnel was closed, it saw new life as part of an unexpected business venture. The Scottish Mushroom Company used one of the tunnel's tracks to grow mushrooms, with 800 mushroom beds measuring 12 foot by three foot sitting in the underpass.
At its peak, the business produced more than 500 pounds of mushrooms every single day. It was also very profitable, as produce was available at all times of the year.
The Scottish Mushroom Company closed up shop in 1929 after going bankrupt as a result of a parasite infection. However, the Scotland Street Tunnel continued to see use in the 20th century as an air raid shelter during World War Two.
Sitting up to 50 feet