Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Underground Edinburgh
As Edinburgh expanded in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, many old tenements were demolished and new
bridges were built to link the Old Town to the newly built areas to its north and south. South Bridge (built between
1785 and 1788) and George IV Bridge (built between 1829 and 1834) lead south from the Royal Mile over the deep
valley of Cowgate, but so many buildings have been constructed around them you can hardly tell they are bridges -
George IV Bridge has a total of nine arches but only two are visible; South Bridge has no less than 18 hidden
arches.
These
subterranean vaults
were originally used as storerooms, workshops and drinking dens. But as Edinburgh's
population swelled in the early 19th century with an influx of penniless Highlanders who were cleared from their
lands, and Irish refugees from the potato famine, the dark, dripping chambers were given over to slum accommoda-
tion and abandoned to poverty, filth and crime.
The vaults were eventually cleared in the late 19th century, then lay forgotten until 1994 when the
South Bridge
vaults
were opened to guided tours. Certain chambers are said to be haunted and one particular vault was investig-
ated by paranormal researchers in 2001.
WITCHERY BY THE CASTLE£££
( 0131-225 5613;
www.thewitchery.com
; Castlehill, Royal Mile; ste £325-350)
Set in a 16th-century
Old Town house in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, the Witchery's eight lavish Gothic
suites are extravagantly furnished with antiques, oak panelling, tapestries, open fires, four-
poster beds and roll-top baths, and supplied with flowers, chocolates and complimentary
champagne. Overwhelmingly popular - book several months in advance to be sure of get-
ting a room.
| B&B
| Hotel
TEN HILL PLACE££
( 0131-662 2080;
www.tenhillplace.com
;
10 Hill Pl; r from £110; )
This attractive modern hotel
offers good-value accommodation close to the city centre. The standard bedrooms are
comfortable and stylish with a sober but sophisticated colour scheme in rich browns,
purples and tweedy greens, and appealing modern bathrooms. For a special weekend, ask
for one of the four 'skyline' rooms on the top floor, with king-size beds and panoramic
views of Salisbury Crags.
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