Not everything spooky in Edinburgh is a ghost story. On the city’s south-western edge, a long, dark Victorian railway tunnel burrows under Colinton – and until recently it was exactly the kind of abandoned place you would hurry through.
Today it has been transformed, but it keeps that eerie, underground atmosphere the moment the daylight drops away behind you.
From Railway to Ruin
The tunnel was built for the Balerno branch line, which opened in 1874 to serve the mills of the Water of Leith valley. Passenger trains stopped in the 1940s and freight in the 1960s, after which the line was lifted and the route left to nature as part of the Water of Leith Walkway.
The Mural Today
In recent years the Colinton Tunnel Project covered its walls with what is billed as Scotland’s longest continuous heritage mural. The painted scenes tell the story of the old railway, the local mills and the poet Robert Louis Stevenson, whose grandfather was minister at Colinton – his poem “From a Railway Carriage” runs along the wall.
Walking the Tunnel
The tunnel is open to walkers and cyclists at any time and it is free. It is lit, but still dim and cool, with the murals glowing out of the gloom – genuinely atmospheric rather than frightening, and popular with families and photographers.
Getting There
Colinton sits a few miles south-west of the city centre and is reachable by Lothian bus. The nearest access is from Spylaw Park or the Water of Leith Walkway; stout shoes help, as the approach paths can be muddy.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Colinton Tunnel free to visit?
Yes. It is an open public path on the Water of Leith Walkway, accessible at any time and free of charge.
How long is Colinton Tunnel?
Around 140 metres, and its walls carry what is described as Scotland’s longest continuous heritage mural.
How do I get to Colinton Tunnel?
It sits in Colinton, a few miles south-west of central Edinburgh, reachable by Lothian bus and via Spylaw Park or the Water of Leith Walkway.
Is Colinton Tunnel scary?
It is dim and atmospheric rather than genuinely frightening – lit inside and popular with families, walkers and photographers.
