Most Haunted Location - Edinburgh Vaults

In 1785 when building work commenced on Edinburgh's South Bridge, three residential Close's were demolished in the name of progress.

These were Marlin's Wynd, Peebles Wynd and Niddry's Wynd. This area was at that time considered to be one of Edinburgh's poorest and most run down quarter and left the resident's of this area homeless and destitute. In order to maximise space after the building of the extremely defensive Flodden Wall people began to build below the ground.

Many businesses and trades thrived in these man made spaces however, as time passed so did the quality of life. The bridge above the area began to leak and forced out the businesses just leaving the poor and homeless to reside in the vaults. The dark, damp wet vaults started to become home to only the very poorest and most disreputable sections of society. These included immigrant irishmen and Highlanders seeking refuge from the clearances, mercenary landlords and even body snatchers. Although there is little evidence to support this theory as they should not have been there in the first place so remain unrecorded.

Excavated items of clothing and personal artefacts do suggest that there was a large group of inhabitants living there.

The vaults gradually became abandoned and filled with rubble until they were excavated in 1985. These daunting and formidable vaults were then brought to the attention of the public due to their intense and secretive history.

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