Post by Olivia on Feb 19, 2014 3:07:42 GMT -5
Behind the doors of this typical cottage in the suburbs of Edinburgh, lies a bizarre mystery which remains unsolved to this day.
Once inside the cottage, steps lead down to a network of chambers and tunnels carved from the solid rock below.
The story tells of George Paterson, a local blacksmith who carved the rooms for his family to live in between 1719-1724, and to function as a secret drinking place for customers. Many have contested that it would be impossible for one man to carve so much in just 5 years, and that these rooms are much, much older.
And what is carved only adds to the mystery. A fireplace with no chimney, a well that does not reach water, sealed off corridors and a mysterious bowl carved into one of the stone tables in a side alcove.
One sealed passage is rumored to run directly to nearby Rosslyn Chapel, home to its own fair share of mysteries. Others say they lead to nearby Craigmillar Castle.
The still visible marks of the Masonic square and compasses, carved on a table, and the cat carved on the wall only fuel the fire of speculation that this was a secret Masonic meeting place, a witches coven, a refuge for the Coventars or even the Knights Templar's. Some speculate that this is where the notorious Hellfire Club met, whose members included earls, lords and members of parliament and whose motto was ‘Do as you will’.
Nobody knows why these tunnels were carved, or what secrets they hold, and Gilmerton Cove remains one of Scotland’s most mysterious houses.
I only learned of this today, and wanted to share this creepy tale. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
Once inside the cottage, steps lead down to a network of chambers and tunnels carved from the solid rock below.
The story tells of George Paterson, a local blacksmith who carved the rooms for his family to live in between 1719-1724, and to function as a secret drinking place for customers. Many have contested that it would be impossible for one man to carve so much in just 5 years, and that these rooms are much, much older.
And what is carved only adds to the mystery. A fireplace with no chimney, a well that does not reach water, sealed off corridors and a mysterious bowl carved into one of the stone tables in a side alcove.
One sealed passage is rumored to run directly to nearby Rosslyn Chapel, home to its own fair share of mysteries. Others say they lead to nearby Craigmillar Castle.
The still visible marks of the Masonic square and compasses, carved on a table, and the cat carved on the wall only fuel the fire of speculation that this was a secret Masonic meeting place, a witches coven, a refuge for the Coventars or even the Knights Templar's. Some speculate that this is where the notorious Hellfire Club met, whose members included earls, lords and members of parliament and whose motto was ‘Do as you will’.
Nobody knows why these tunnels were carved, or what secrets they hold, and Gilmerton Cove remains one of Scotland’s most mysterious houses.
I only learned of this today, and wanted to share this creepy tale. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!
