The Forgotten Street Behind a Hidden Library Door

Deep within the lower floors of the National Library of Scotland, there lies a forgotten street that offers a glimpse into Edinburgh’s past. Libberton’s Wynd, located in the heart of the old city, was demolished in the 1830s to make way for George IV Bridge, but a part of the street still remains.

Exploring The Void

The street can be accessed through a hidden door between the bridge walls and the library building. Known as The Void by library staff, this corridor is not open to the public, but BBC Scotland News was granted a rare glimpse inside. The discovery of this hidden passage dates back to the 1990s when library officials stumbled upon it after breaking down a small hatch on a wall behind filing cabinets.

Inside The Void, arches lead into chambers and rooms that were once used for storage in the bridge. According to Bill Jackson, former director of the library, the chambers contained old rotten furniture, ledgers, shoes, and even a 100-year-old slate urinal, all waterlogged and damaged.