Beaches · Central Scotland
Gilmerton Cove
In or near Danderhall.
Gilmerton Cove — a beach in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
Richard Webb — CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 1 h–3 h
- Best time of year
- Summer (Jun–Aug)
- Nearest railway station
- Shawfair · 3.0 km
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
Getting there & planning your visit
To visit Gilmerton Cove, the nearest railway station is Shawfair, located 3 km away. The postcode for sat-nav is EH17 8QH, and entry to the site is free.
About
Gilmerton Cove is a beach located in scotland-central, United Kingdom. Sourced from OpenStreetMap (ODbL licence); see local listings for visitor information, opening hours and admission details.
Photo gallery
See it from the streetimagery from 2026
Imagery © Mapillary contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0
From the Wikipedia article
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 southeastern suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland. There has been much speculation about the origins of the Cove and its purpose. The cove was restored and opened as a tourist attraction in 2003. It operated until the COVID-19 pandemic, and is closed as of 2023.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
History
In 1721 the cove was first mentioned in the local Kirk (church) minutes where George Paterson (a blacksmith or baker) was accused of selling alcohol on the sabbath to many people as they visited his 'caves'. Extensive archaeological and historical research has failed to resolve the mystery. In 2017, research by scientists from University of St Andrews and University of Edinburgh using ground-penetrating radar indicated that the network of passageways and chambers may be more extensive than that currently exposed. It has been suggested that it was used as a drinking den for local gentry, a Covenanters refuge, meeting place for the Hellfire Club and a smugglers' lair. A five-year…
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 55.9056, -3.1331
- District
- City of Edinburgh
- Postcode
- EH17 8QH
- Parliamentary constituency
- Edinburgh South
- Nearest railway station
- Shawfair — 3 km
- Official site
- gilmertoncove.co.uk
Sources
- osm: node/395230406 (ODbL)
- wikipedia: Gilmerton Cove (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Gilmerton Sculpture
Public art & sculpture · 0.0 km
Gilmerton Parish Church And Gatepiers, 6 Ravenscroft Street, Gilmerton, Edinburgh
Historic churches · 0.1 km
Gilmerton
Villages · 0.4 km
Cactus Sculptures
Public art & sculpture · 1.1 km
Moredun Wood
Archaeological sites · 1.3 km
Greenpark House
Historic houses · 1.4 km
Keane Wallis-Bennett Memorial Garden
Memorials & monuments · 1.5 km
Poor Clare's Convent, 105-109 Lasswade Road, Edinburgh
Abbeys & priories · 1.5 km
Edmonstone House Stable Block Ruin
Historic houses · 1.5 km
Mount Vernon Cemetery
Cemeteries · 1.7 km
Doctor Guthrie's Schools War Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 1.8 km
War Memorial, Guthrie Court, 10 Lasswade Road, Edinburgh
Memorials & monuments · 1.8 km
Nearby
📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Gilmerton Sculpture
Gilmerton Sculpture — a public art in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic churches · Central Scotland
Gilmerton Parish Church And Gatepiers, 6 Ravenscroft Street, Gilmerton, Edinburgh
Gilmerton Parish Church And Gatepiers, 6 Ravenscroft Street, Gilmerton, Edinburgh — category C listed building-listed church in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 5📷 3Public art & sculpture · Central Scotland
Cactus Sculptures
Cactus Sculptures — a public art in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
📷 3Archaeological sites · Central Scotland
Moredun Wood
Moredun Wood — forest in Edinburgh, Scotland.
📷 3Historic houses · Central Scotland
Greenpark House
Greenpark House — a historic house in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
Where to eat & stay near Gilmerton Cove
Places to stay
📷 5
📷 5Caravan parks · Central Scotland
Kevock Vale Park Retirement Living
Kevock Vale Park Retirement Living — a caravan park in scotland central.
📷 5Campsites · Central Scotland
Mortonhall Caravan and Camping Park
Mortonhall Caravan and Camping Park — a campsite in scotland central.
📷 7Hotels · Central Scotland
Kildonan Lodge Hotel
Kildonan Lodge Hotel — a hotel in scotland central.
📷 5
📷 5Hotels · Central Scotland
The Scholar
The Scholar — a hotel in scotland central.
Places to eat & drink
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Sheep Heid Inn
Sheep Heid Inn in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Coach and Horses Public House, 168 High Street, Dalkeith
Coach and Horses Public House, 168 High Street, Dalkeith in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Leslie's Bar, 45, 47, 49 Ratcliffe Terrace, Edinburgh
Leslie's Bar, 45, 47, 49 Ratcliffe Terrace, Edinburgh in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Gothenburg Public House, 45 Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith
Gothenburg Public House, 45 Buccleuch Street, Dalkeith in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 5Historic pubs · Central Scotland
Physician and Firkin Public House, 58 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh
Physician and Firkin Public House, 58 Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
📷 7Historic pubs · Central Scotland
1, 3 and 5 Newington Road, Edinburgh
1, 3 and 5 Newington Road, Edinburgh in Scotland Central, United Kingdom.
More beaches in this region
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📷 5Frequently asked questions
- Where is Gilmerton Cove?
- Gilmerton Cove is in central Scotland, United Kingdom (postcode EH17 8QH).
- What is Gilmerton Cove?
- Gilmerton Cove — a beach in scotland-central, United Kingdom.
- How do I get to Gilmerton Cove?
- The nearest railway station is Shawfair, about 3.0 km away. Drivers can use postcode EH17 8QH.
- Is Gilmerton Cove free to visit?
- Yes, Gilmerton Cove is free to enter.
- How do I get to Gilmerton Cove?
- The nearest railway station is Shawfair, about 3.0 km away. Drivers can navigate to postcode EH17 8QH.