BBRITAIN BENEATH

EXPLORE THE COLLECTION

Edinburgh & central Scotland

Historic industry, transport and defences around Edinburgh and the central belt.

Six places, six different visiting decisions

Rodney Street is a documented public walkway; Roughcastle is included in a managed boat trip; Newhailes’ servants’ tunnel belongs to a particular house-tour route. Ratho’s boating facilities do not establish unrestricted working-dock access. Inchcolm’s island admission does not confirm its military tunnel interior, and Cramond’s tidal crossing needs current safety information. These distinctions help turn a map of intriguing points into a set of realistic choices. Start with the guide and consult the named operator for the experience you intend to book.

Read the researched regional guide →
200official records
5heritage categories
6published access reviews

This collection brings together evidence from official heritage indexes. It is a starting point for reading the landscape, not a complete inventory or a list of visitor attractions. Source names may describe surviving structures, former features or larger complexes. Current condition and permission to visit require separate checks.

The most represented themes here are other defences (40 records), wwii (40 records), rail heritage (40 records). Counts reflect the selection method and recording coverage, not the historical prevalence of each structure.

Explore these places on the map →
Check the official source before making plans. Map coordinates do not establish public access. Area labels are discovery windows; town labels use approximate reference centres.

Read the stories behind these places

WWII

Cramond Island: The Knoll defences

Near Edinburgh

Researched guide · September 2026

Tidal access · check crossing

Underground

Inchcolm Battery Tunnel

Near Edinburgh

Researched guide · September 2026

Partial access · read details

Underground

Newhailes Servants’ Tunnel

Near Edinburgh

Researched guide · September 2026

Guided visits · book ahead

Underground

Rodney Street Tunnel

Near Edinburgh

Researched guide · September 2026

Visitor access offered

Industrial

Ratho Canal Basin

Near Livingston

Researched guide · September 2026

Partial access · read details

Underground

Roughcastle Tunnel

Near Falkirk

Researched guide · September 2026

Guided visits · book ahead

Other defences

Gosford Sands

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Cowlairs Incline, Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Edinburgh, Union Canal, Kingsknowe Railway Bridge

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Torbanehill Coal Pit No.1 And No.4

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Aberlady Bay

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Butterwell Burn, Pillbox, Type 22 Pillbox

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Lower Harbour, Harbour Tunnel, South Rotunda

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Stirling To Alloa To Dunfermline Railway, Oakley, Station Road, Railway Bridges

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Torbane Pit No. 2

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Tyninghame, Links Wood

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Donibristle Point, Steeple Clump

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Underground

Coaltown Of Wemyss

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Stirling To Alloa To Dunfermline Railway, Comrie Dean Viaduct

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Torbanehill Coal Pit No.3

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Whitberry Point

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Kirkintilloch, Gartshore House

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

North Queensferry, Ferryhills Tunnel

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Stirling To Alloa To Dunfermline Railway, Dunfermline, William Street, Railway Bridge

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Torbanehill Coal Pit No.5

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Hedderwick Hill Plantation

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Charlestown, Royal Naval Armament Depot, Crombie

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Underground

Tranent, Well Wynd, Mine Shaft

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Inverkeithing, Jamestown Viaduct

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Torbanehill Coal Pit No.8

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Dunbar, Belhaven, St Margarets

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Limekilnburn Battery

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

Edinburgh, Canonmills, Scotland Street Station

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Leslie, Railway Bridge

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Torbanehill Coal Pit No.7

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, Restalrig, Craigentinny Golf Course

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Limekilnburn Battery

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Ruchill, Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Auchterderran, Cardenden, Railway Viaduct

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Blackburn, Red House

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

South Queensferry, Dalmeny Junction

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Uddingston, Blantyre Farm Road

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Ruchill Park, West Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Edinburgh, Roseburn Terrace, Railway Bridge

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Kirkton Lime Works

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Forth Defences, Outer, Leith Docks Battery

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Blackhill, Wester Balmuidy Battery

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Ruchill Park, East Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Stirling, Caledonian Railway Bridge

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Inchcross Coal Pit

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Forth Defences, Middle, Cramond Island, Gun Battery

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Drumbowie, Ryding Heavy Anti Aircraft Battery

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

Falkirk, Hallglen, Railway Tunnel

Near Falkirk

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Burntisland, Harbour Place, Railway Bridge

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Cappers Pits

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Forth Defences, Middle, Inchmickery Battery, No.1 Gun, Twin 6-Pounder

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Dykehead

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

Duck Hill

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Burntisland, West Broomhill Road, Railway Bridge

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Cappers Pit No. 2

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Forth Defences, Middle, Inchmickery Battery, 12-Pounder And 4-Inch Gun Emplacements.

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

East Rogerton

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Markinch Railway Viaduct

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Kipps Coal Pit

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Forth Defences, Middle, Inchmickery Battery, No. 2 Gun, Twin 6-Pounder

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Glasgow, Easterhouse, Hall Hill

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

Edinburgh, Trinity, East Trinity Road, Railway Tunnel

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Balbirnie Railway Viaduct

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Bowdenhill Limeworks

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Weaklaw Rocks, Fidra Battery

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Rushyhill

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

Kippenross House Policies, Railway Tunnel

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Westfield, Avon Viaduct

Near Falkirk

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Lochcote, Old Lime Works

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Gullane Links, Yellow Mires

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Glasgow, Langside College

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Underground

Monkland Canal, Langloan Branch Canal, Langloan Canal Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Coatbridge, Kipps Motive Power Depot

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Wardlaw, Limekiln

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Forth Defences, Outer, Inchkeith, 'L' Group (Later 'H' Group), 9.2-Inch Gun Emplacement

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Throsk, Royal Naval Armament Depot

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

Underground

Hilderstonehills

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Edinburgh, Abbeyhill, Railway Bridge

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Levenseat, Risland Knowes

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Forth Defences, Outer, Inchkeith, B Group, 9.2-Inch Emplacement

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Barnbougle Castle

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Dunfermline, Bothwell Gardens, Railway Viaduct

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Woodmuir Colliery, Pits Nos.5 And 6

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Forth Defences, Outer, Inchkeith, 'H' Group, Later 'L'Group,Two 6-Inch Gun Emplacements

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Edinburgh, Cramond Beach, Coble Cottage

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Buchanan Street Station, Approach Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Tannochside Branch

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Lower Largo, Harbour, Flax Spinning Mill

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, 16, 17, 18 West Preston Street

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Edinburgh, Cramond Island Battery, No.1 Engine Room

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Underground

Inch View, Railway Tunnel Number 71A

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Bredisholm, Bredisholm Branch

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Bankton, Colliery

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, Easter Road, Air Raid Shelters

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Musselburgh, Fisherrow

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Underground

Keir House, Tunnel And Terrace

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Bainsford, Carron Railway Bridge

Near Falkirk

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Edinburgh, Craiglockhart

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, 123 Fountainbridge, Garage

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Port Seton

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Newbattle Viaduct

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

WWII

Sheriff Muir

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Longniddry

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Old Mills, Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Lasswade Viaduct

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Union Canal, Ratho, Wilkie'S Basin

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, Holyrood Park, Royal Park Terrace

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Kilspindie Golf Course

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Edinburgh, The Crawley Tunnel

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Longniddry, Bridge

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Linlithgow, Union Canal, Preston Glen Aqueduct

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

WWII

Stirling To Alloa To Dunfermline Railway, North British Railway Bridge

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Marl Loch

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Garbethill House, Adit

Near Falkirk

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Bo'Ness, Dock Street, Railway Station, Haymarket Train Shed

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Glasgow, 121 Carstairs Street, Cotton Spinning Mills

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

WWII

Glasgow, Glenpark Street, Air Raid Shelters

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Yellow Mires

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Linn Park

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

East Linton, Railway Bridge

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Musselburgh, Inveresk Road, Brunton (Musselburgh) Ltd Wire Rope Works Department

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, Leith Walk, Shrub Place Lane, Shrubhill Tramway Workshops And Power Station

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Gullane Sands, Jophies Neuk

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Cluny Bridge

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Edinburgh And Dalkeith Railway, Glenesk Bridge, Bridge No. 12

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Fallin, Limekiln

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, 12 Succoth Avenue

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Gullane Bay, Hummell Rocks

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

East Revoch

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Currie, Railway Overbridge

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Fallin, Polmaise Colliery

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, East Fountainbridge, Air Raid Shelters

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Gullane Bay, Maggie'S Loup

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Yorkhill Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Dalkeith, Cemetery Road, Railway Overbridge

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Polmaise Junction, Colliery

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, High Riggs, Air Raid Shelter

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Gullane Bents

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Kelvingrove Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Earlypier, Railway Bridge

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Burntisland, Lammerlaws, Kiln

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, 6 Blackford Avenue, St Raphael'S Hospital, Air Raid Shelter

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Edinburgh, 18, 19, 20, 21 Market Street

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Botanic Gardens Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Garngibboch, Railway Bridge

Near Falkirk

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Drum

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

WWII

Glasgow, Polmadie, Toryglen, Z Battery

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Scoughall

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Hillhead Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Westhall, Railway Overbridge

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Coaltown Of Balgonie, Miner Welfare Institute

Near Kirkcaldy

Access not confirmed

WWII

Musselburgh, Mall Avenue, David Macbeth Moir Memorial

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Scoughall

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, St Vincent Terrace Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Whitecross, Railway Overbridge

Near Falkirk

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Upper Sheardale, Saw Mill

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Dunfermline, 33 East Port

Near Dunfermline

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Pefferside

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Stobcross Depot Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Edinburgh, Warriston Road, Railway Bridge

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Devonside

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Glasgow Green

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Lochouses Links

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Kelvinhaugh Railway Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Edinburgh, Warriston Road, Railway Bridge

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Devonside

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Peathill Wood, Newlands, Civil Starfish Ql

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Bathan'S Strand

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Lower Harbour, Harbour Tunnel

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Edinburgh, Gorgie Road, Railway Bridge

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Coalsnaughton

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Gullane Sands, Aberlady Bay

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Tyne Sands

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Cowlairs Incline Tunnel, Air Shaft

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Glasgow, Kelvindale, Railway Viaduct

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Glenfoot

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, Cargilfield School

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Fir Links Wood

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Glasgow, Cowlairs Incline Tunnel, Air Shaft

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Longriggend, Railway Bridge

Near Falkirk

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Gartenstars Plantation

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

The Coves

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Hedderwick Hill Plantation, Young'S Knowe

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Winchburgh Tunnel

Near Livingston

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Glasgow, Cambuslang Bridge

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Devon Village

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Edinburgh, Pleasance, Pollock Institute Of Physical Education Psychology

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Hedderwick Hill Plantation

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Uddingston, Clyde Viaduct

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Industrial

Fiddleduff

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed

WWII

Cellardyke, East Forth Street, John Martin And Company

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Other defences

Hedderwick Hill Plantation

Near Haddington

Access not confirmed

Underground

Edinburgh, Rodney Street, Railway Tunnel, North Portal

Near Edinburgh

Access not confirmed

Rail heritage

Glasgow, Kelvinbridge Station

Near Glasgow

Access not confirmed

Industrial

King O' Muirs

Near Stirling

Access not confirmed