Innocent Railway Tunnel
Innocent Railway Tunnel
3.5
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The area
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Neighbourhood: Southside & Holyrood
Many of Edinburgh’s student hangouts gather around university buildings in Southside, the sort of neighbourhood that supports a long string of second-hand shops and eateries serving ethnic food for just a few pounds. In August the student population is replaced by vast numbers of boisterous visitors here for the Fringe, Edinburgh’s world-class comedy and arts festival which headquarters itself here. Flanking Southside are two great parks. The Meadows is a vast flat and sporty space where football, rugby, tennis, cricket, croquet, and golf often all take place side by side. Kids in its big playgrounds add to the joyful noise. Far bigger and much wilder, Holyrood Park extends to the east and provides a real hike up Arthur’s Seat, but the district is best known as the site of Scotland’s Parliament and its premier Royal Palace—and their steady stream of sightseers.
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3.5
15 reviews
Excellent
3
Very good
5
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
0
weekak
Edinburgh, UK1,835 contributions
Mar 2021 • Solo
I'll be honest I was nervous walking through the dimly lit graffiti laden never ending tunnel alone and I wouldn't want to do it at night. I started at Holyrood park and came out in an estate near Hermits Croft. Done it once but wouldn't go out of my way to go again.
Written 23 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mike
Glossop, UK1,325 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Worth a visit if your interested in railway history. Very early tunnel for horse drawn coal carrying railway. Path continues on course of the old line out to Brunstane from where you can get the train back. Takes about an hour.
Written 9 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ColinJsComments
Edinburgh, UK58 contributions
Sept 2015 • Couples
For anyone who likes a nice walk with a friendly, old pub (14th Century), included , this is the place.
First, the walk. Catch the bus from Edinburgh to the Commonwealth Pool.
Walk down the left hand side of the road until you come to a Red Post box, you are now directly above the Innocent Tunnel.
Walk down into the Housing and back on yourself to the tunnel.( It is not clearly indicated). This is a lovely walk to Duddingston.
When you get to the old Bridge at the main road turn left. Walk up the main road. On your left you will find an entrance to Dr. Neils Garden( National Trust). Beautiful...
( If you visit the garden, exit thriugh the double cast iron gate ( looks locked but its not) Turn left into Duddingston Village to The Sheep Heid. Lovely, very old pub and Restaurant. Two courses £11-50. Excellent, but be prepared for a wait between courses. Our two courses took two hours.
This pub is full of things to look at. Furniture, paintings, etc., etc., and is famous for its bowling alley and its connection to Bonnie Prince Charlie. (Or vice-versa)
After your meal walk back to Edinburgh past Arthur's Seat and The Craigs.. Beautiful... (3 to 4 mile in total...)
First, the walk. Catch the bus from Edinburgh to the Commonwealth Pool.
Walk down the left hand side of the road until you come to a Red Post box, you are now directly above the Innocent Tunnel.
Walk down into the Housing and back on yourself to the tunnel.( It is not clearly indicated). This is a lovely walk to Duddingston.
When you get to the old Bridge at the main road turn left. Walk up the main road. On your left you will find an entrance to Dr. Neils Garden( National Trust). Beautiful...
( If you visit the garden, exit thriugh the double cast iron gate ( looks locked but its not) Turn left into Duddingston Village to The Sheep Heid. Lovely, very old pub and Restaurant. Two courses £11-50. Excellent, but be prepared for a wait between courses. Our two courses took two hours.
This pub is full of things to look at. Furniture, paintings, etc., etc., and is famous for its bowling alley and its connection to Bonnie Prince Charlie. (Or vice-versa)
After your meal walk back to Edinburgh past Arthur's Seat and The Craigs.. Beautiful... (3 to 4 mile in total...)
Written 12 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark S
3 contributions
May 2016 • Family
We used to hang out in there with friends back in the day, its haunted, on many occasions we'd see orbs of light or partial apparitions walking back and forth, hear voices when nobody was talking and on occasion some of us would see and hear what would appear to be a train only for it to vanish. Still one of my favorite places to walk to this day, reminiscing about the old days
Written 30 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
88Duncans
Bathurst, Canada140 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
I lived in East Preston Street at the top of which is the Commonwealth Pool. I never knew the tunnel (or the railway) existed. (My youth was spent just off Rodney Street and never knew of the railway, Rodney Street tunnel or Scotland Street tunnels either!) An investigation amongst the courtyard and garages of the apartments behind the pool reveals the entry to the Innocent Railway Tunnel. Through the tunnel lies the paved rail bed all the way to the crossing at Duddingston near the Holy Rood High School. A walk up th hill brings you to a plethora of attractions: The Auld Kirk is joined by the lochside Dr. Neil's Garden and this includes Thomson's Tower where the Duddingston Curling Club, playing on the loch first formulated and wrote down the formal rules of the game. Along from the kirk is the 14th century Sheep's Heid, claiming to be the oldest operational pub in Edinburgh. It was here we were lucky enough to see the historic practice of 'Riding the Marches' when the Warden of a March (a geographic area - mainly in the borders) assembled his horsemen (see Border Reivers) to ride around his area to demonstrate his authority. This is now done by horse clubs.
Written 28 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hashtagstringvest
Teddington, UK130 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
It's a bit hidden away but worth finding for a bit of local history. I know people who have lived in Edinburgh for a long time and didn't know of this tunnel near Holyrood Park. I would say cycling is better than walking. I went through at lunchtime and was the only person around.
Written 27 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hayley G
23 contributions
Aug 2016 • Solo
I hate to be a pooper but it is merely along tunnel under the road. That said, it is next to Arthur's Seat and part of the scenic walk.
Written 9 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gillyanni
Edinburgh, UK54 contributions
Nov 2016 • Family
What a peaceful and tranquil walk. Amazing to read of the old railway between Edinburgh and Dalkeith.
Written 12 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DrJCJones
Edinburgh, UK100 contributions
Nov 2015 • Couples
An interesting find, close to Arthur's Seat and worth a walk through if you visiting the crags.. Some interesting art-work/graffiti..
Written 6 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Daibhidh Stevenson
Edinburgh, UK117 contributions
Feb 2016 • Solo
The Innocent Railway tunnel forms part of a great cycle path and walkway from Edinburgh's southside to the East Coast.
As part of Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat it's a great recreational area in the heart of the city.
From home in Musselburgh up through the Jewel to the Innocent Railway path and on through the Meadows. A great and rewarding walk the man and dog enjoyed.
As part of Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat it's a great recreational area in the heart of the city.
From home in Musselburgh up through the Jewel to the Innocent Railway path and on through the Meadows. A great and rewarding walk the man and dog enjoyed.
Written 18 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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