Date: 16/04/2007

An underground network of escalators would link Edinburgh’s central rail and bus stations with the St James Centre under plans being considered by the city council. Planners are investigating whether disused railway tunnels under Princes Street and St Andrew Square could be opened up and fitted with escalators to provide a pedestrian link between the two stations and the new St James development. Any underground plan would seek to make use of the long disused mile-long Scotland Street tunnel, which was used by the Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway Company to transport trains from the then thriving ports of Granton and Newhaven to Waverley.

Related images

A December 2018 view of what would be my local station if it hadn^t closed a mere 150 years previously. It stayed in use as a goods yard for a further 99 years, until 1967 [See image 36593]. The view looks north to Heriothill tunnel. The curved stairway is not original; the stairs to the (rather short) platforms ran down from where I am standing. Alexander McCall Smith fans may already know that there isn^t really a 44 Scotland Street, but No 43 is more or less behind me.
Location: Scotland Street
Company: Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway
12/12/2018 David Panton

Leaving Rodney Street Tunnel southbound on 8 January the walker/cyclist emerges into the former Scotland Street station and goods depot, now a landscaped area, with King George V Park just off to the right. Straight ahead is the sealed north portal of the much longer Scotland Street Tunnel, through which early EL&N trains were rope hauled from Canal Street (now Waverley) under the New Town [see image 5876].
Location: Scotland Street
Company: Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway
08/01/2013 John Furnevel

Close up of the north portal of the 1847 Scotland Street Tunnel, seen from the old goods station in January 2013 - now forming part of a basketball court. The west side of Scotland Street itself overlooks the scene, with the exit onto Royal Crescent running off to the right. [See image 5876]
Location: Scotland Street
Company: Edinburgh, Leith and Newhaven Railway
08/01/2013 John Furnevel