The forgotten street found behind a hidden library door | Global News Avenue

A forgotten street behind a door deep in the lower level of the National Library of Scotland offers a glimpse into what Edinburgh was like centuries ago.

Libberton’s Wynd, in the heart of the old town, was demolished in the 1830s to make way for the George IV Bridge, but parts of the street remain.

It is located between the bridge wall and the library building and is accessed through a hidden door.

The corridor, named “The Void” by library staff, is not open to the public, but BBC News Scotland has been granted a tour inside.

It was discovered in the 1990s when library staff broke a small hatch in the wall behind a filing cabinet and climbed in.

They discovered a passage with arches leading to chambers and chambers thought to have once been storage rooms on the bridge.

Former library director Bill Jackson told BBC News Scotland he found rotting old furniture, ledgers, shoes and a slate urinal that were more than 100 years old and had been damaged by water. .

“My flashlight barely illuminated anything and as I walked past it was dark and a bit scary and I wanted to get out of there.

“But it’s fun.”

Since then he has installed lights and another door at the Cow Gate end of the void.

The library rooms were built on the foundations of buildings in Liberton Avenue which were demolished to make way for the George IV Bridge.

Inside the passage you can see the brickwork of the library’s lower level and the stonework of the bridge, said Robbie Mitchell, the library’s reference assistant.

“While not as well-preserved a street as Mary Stairs, it still gives us a glimpse of what Edinburgh was like centuries ago,” he said.

“The library holds several maps and records of the old town that help us build an atmospheric picture of the George IV Bridge and the neighborhood where the library now stands, and what it was like before the void.”

George IV Bridge was built as a route connecting Edinburgh city center (Royal Mile) over Cowgate in the valley to the south side of the city.

Within its arches are several floors of rooms used to store items for the shops on top of the bridge.

Libberton’s Wynd was a section of the Royal Mile known as The Lawnmarket from Cowgate to Edinburgh’s Gallows, which was later demolished to make way for a bridge.

Later, the National Library of Scotland was built on top of the bridge, with its floors extending to the Cow Gate below.

The bridge was built on the foundations of Liberton Wind, which can still be seen in The Void.

The corridor is hundreds of feet long and has a steep slope.

Officials widened the entrance, which now has a full-size door. Some rooms are now used to store the huge tanks for the library’s sprinkler system.

Mr Mitchell said large crowds – often in the thousands – attended executions at the city’s Gallows, the junction of Liberton Wynd and Lawn Market.

One of the most notorious figures executed here was body snatcher and murderer William Burke in January 1829.

Libberton’s Wynd is also famous for being home to one of the city’s most famous pubs, known as The Mermaid before it became Johnnie Dowie’s Tavern.

Taverns are a staple of Edinburgh’s Old Town neighbourhood, with patrons often coming from all social classes.

John Dowie was described as “the smoothest and kindest landlord”. He always wore “a three-cornered hat, buckles at the knees, shoes, and a cane with cross handles, which he bent as he walked.”

Mr Mitchell said the most popular drink was Edinburgh beer brewed and served by Archibald Younger.

This was described as “a potent liquid that almost glued the drinker’s lips together, so that few could drink more than a bottle”.

Mr Mitchell said the description of the bistro on the ground floor of a tall block of flats gave the impression of a claustrophobic old town.

The main room facing the Wynd can accommodate about 14 people, but the other rooms are said to be small and can only accommodate up to 6 people each.

They were described as “so dirty and dark that even in broad daylight they had to be illuminated by artificial means”.

The pub was described as a “highly respectable” house and a popular meeting place for Edinburgh’s “leading wise men and men of letters”.

Writers such as the poet Robert Ferguson, artists and many members of the judiciary frequented the place.

The smallest windowless room is an irregular rectangular box often referred to as the “coffin” and is believed to have been Robert Burns’ favorite seat in the tavern.

Libberton’s Wynd was first mentioned in the late 15th century but was demolished in 1835.

Local historian Jamie Corstorphine said entering the void was one of the most exciting things he had ever experienced.

“The road may have been named after Henry Libberton, who owned a large estate along the road – or, if not him, then his family, after his death in 1501 , they have been living in this house for many years.

“On the streets were merchants, barbers, shoemakers, grocers, customs houses, brewers, cork cutters, silversmiths, stocking makers and glassmakers.

“It’s a very busy street and should have been full of life at the time.”