Discover Scotland's 'eerie' abandoned train tunnel so dark 'you can't see the entrance or exit'

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Autumn's arrival doesn't mean we should halt our exploration of Scotland's hidden treasures. Among these, 'abandoned' spots offer a journey back in time.One such eerie destination is the Neidpath Train Tunnel, nestled in the Scottish Borders, which might just be the darkest place in Scotland and is an adventurer's dream to discover.Just a stone's throw from Neidpath Castle, with its commanding views over the charming town of Peebles, located 22 miles south of Edinburgh, the tunnel is affectionately known by locals as the 'half-mile tunnel'.

Spanning more than 600 yards, it was unveiled in 1864. The tunnel was part of the Peebles-Symington 'extension line', brought to life by contractor William Scott, burrowing beneath South Park Wood before re-emerging near Peebles, reports the Scottish Daily Express.

In World War II, it played a pivotal role in transporting essential materials and, according to local lore, served as a covert refuge for a royal train during King George VI's visit to assess Clydebank's blitz damage.Today, the tunnel stands unused, a silent testament to history.

Atlas Obscura captures its haunting essence: "The all-consuming and overwhelming darkness of the tunnel can be eerie. Along certain sections inside there is no natural light and you can see neither the entrance nor exit." Join the Daily Record' s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. A TripAdvisor reviewer, after venturing into the depths, recommended bringing a torch, saying: "Its actually quite scary.