Honestly, I nearly skipped this spot on my Edinburgh walk last Tuesday. Thought it was just some old building until I peeked through the gate. Grey skies dripping drizzle, shoes getting soaked – typical Scottish summer. But holy smokes, this place sneaks up on you.
First Glimpse Got Me Hooked
Stumbled upon it chasing shelter from sudden rain. Noticed the carved stone lions guarding the entrance looking grumpy as my morning barista. The iron gates were slightly open, so I ducked inside cobblestone courtyard. Felt like stepping into 1805 when they built this joint. Rain stopped suddenly – took it as a sign to explore.
The Whiskey Revelation
Got chatting with this groundskeeper raking leaves. Turns out the basement used to be smuggling tunnels! Fishermen’d sneak barrels right from Leith docks. Dude showed me damp stone steps hidden behind tool shed – could practically smell illegal 1800s whiskey. My inner history nerd went wild.
Stairway Shenanigans
The main staircase inside? Absolute madness. Spiral stone steps worn down into soft valleys by two centuries of fancy shoes. Held the twisted oak railing feeling generations of drunk lords hauling themselves upstairs. Nearly faceplanted when my boots slipped on smooth part – hence the knee bruise in my Instagram story.
Ghost Hunt Fail
Read online about “weeping lady ghost” sightings. Crept into top floor bedroom alone. Creaky floors, dusty mirrors… heard actual sobbing! Panicked, tripped over rug, banged elbow. Turned out it was just window whistling through rotten frame. Still told pub buddies later I “almost got haunted”.
Why bother going?
- Free history lesson without boring museum vibe
- Perfect dramatic photo backdrops (especially that vine-covered west wall)
- Actual smugglers’ tunnels beat Disneyland any day
- Staff love gossiping about scandals (ask about the 1893 duel!)
- You’ll find zero crowds – had entire courtyard to myself for 20 minutes
Wound up staying three hours scribbling notes on damp receipt paper. Felt like uncovering secret city layer most tourists sprint past chasing tartan souvenirs. Left as rain started again, but with soaked socks and proper Edinburgh story.
