Knights Templar? underground mysterious cove

USPA NEWS - There are many theories about the origins of the Cove and its purpose. Gilmerton Cove is a series of underground passageways and chambers 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 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 Paterson was responsible for carving the Cove.

This unique hand carved subterranean attraction has seven different rooms with rock hewn furniture tables and chairs, after extensive historical and archaeological research investigators still don´t know the exact origins of this site. The Cove has features such as a well, a fireplace, a blacksmiths forge and two back filled tunnels just waiting to be explored - theories abound as to its origins and uses. Secret Drinking Den? Covenanters Refuge? Witches Coven? Secret Meeting Place? Hellfire Club? Knights Templar? 300 or 2000 years old?

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.

The entrance to Gilmerton Cove is through a visitor centre adapted from a traditional mining cottage.

This cottage now houses imaginative audio and visual displays that depict the various theories behind the origins of Gilmerton Cove which, after extensive archaeological and historical research, still remain a mystery.

These include theories that it was the unique work of an 18th century local blacksmith George Paterson, a drinking den for gentry, a refuge for persecuted Covenanters and a smugglers lair.

Source: Mixed Media

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