World-renowned for being a city that's steeped in history, Edinburgh has no shortage of secrets if you know where to look.
Make no mistake, the capital has a covert side to it that even the majority of lifelong residents have very little idea about.
We've compiled a list of seven obscure places around the city that have a fascinating - and sometimes grisly - story to tell.
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Liberton's 'chamber of secrets'
Tucked underneath a Liberton housing estate is a stunning real-life chamber of secrets, constructed in 1875.
What used to be the main source of Edinburgh’s water supply is described as half the area of Charlotte Square, though thankfully no Slytherin secrets were found in the tunnels. The beautifully built underground space served as a 15 million gallon tank, part of the Alnwickhill waterworks.
After the waterworks closed, many of the buildings were demolished to clear space for new homes - though the disused reservoir was preserved.
Craigentinny Marbles
Take a wander up Craigentinny Crescent in the north-east of Edinburgh and there, sticking out like an elaborate, 19th Century sore thumb, is a huge Victorian mausoleum that’s entirely out of place in a sea of 1930s bungalows.
Known as the Craigentinny Marbles, it was erected in 1856 for William Henry Miller., a wealthy Midlothian landowner who served several terms as the MP for Newcastle-under-Lyme.
Kyoto Friendship Garden
Tucked away in northwest Edinburgh, Lauriston Castle offers a beautiful Japanese style garden for visitors to escape to for some tranquillity.
A guided tour of the house and grounds is also available for those wanting to experience what it was like living in a fancy home in the beginning of the 1900s.
One Trip Advisor comment said: "Beautiful grounds with Japanese Kyoto gardens something very special. Treat for suburban area.
"Added bonus Mimi's bakehouse new in grounds. Superb coffee and cake including for the doggies! Cramond nearby for beach walk too. Perfect day"
Morningside's 'secret' society
To the uninitiated, it looks just like just any other Edinburgh tenement door, save for the fact it's padlocked with a curious brass plaque that alludes to something far more unusual.
Very few capital locals were aware of the existence of The Morningside Club, a secret society that's apparently been on the go for decades.
The confidential club occupies the ground floor property at 3 Morningside Park. Frosted windows and an adjoining extension, the frontage of which is masked with ivy, keep everything hush-hush.
The majority of locals in Morningside, even those who had lived there their whole lives - had absolutely no idea it was there and there was barely a mention of it on the internet.
Gabriel's Road
Running down the side of the Cafe Royal just off the east end of Princes Street is a little-known street with a grisly origin story.
Gabriel's Road took its name after the truly horrific killing of two small children by a man named Robert Irvine in the early 18th century.
The pathway was later named after the angel Gabriel, who locals said came to collect the lifeless bodies of the two young children and escort them to heaven.
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The New Club
Discreetly nestled away amongst the myriad high street brands in the middle of Edinburgh's busiest shopping thoroughfare, the New Club is an easy place to miss.
Scotland's oldest club, founded in 1787, is in fact slap bang in the centre of Princes Street and is passed by thousands of unsuspecting locals every day.
The New Club isn't exactly a well-kept secret, but to the untrained eye it is easily overshadowed as it blends in with its surroundings.
Dr Neil's Garden
A secret garden, said to be the inspiration for literature and art is smuggled away next to the twelfth-century Duddingston Kirk.
It is just on the slope of Arthur's Seat where the mountain meets the loch, so visitors can escape to this tranquil garden for peace and quiet.
Created by Drs Nancy and Andrew Neil, there are even allotments where people can grow there own veg.
If you're wanting a break from city life and looking for a bit of greenery, escape to the Dr Neil's secret garden.
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