9 Historical Secrets of Edinburgh

Atlas Obscura would not be possible without the dedicated work of our community, who help us add more wondrous places to the site every day. We want to give some of our most dedicated contributors a chance to share collections of some of their favorite entries, and tell us all a little more about themselves. Atlas Obscura user SEANETTA has been contributing since 2016, and he tops our leaderboards for places added in Scotland and visited in the capital of Edinburgh. 

“Originally from California, I moved to Edinburgh with my husband in 2011. Four months later they passed away,” he says. “This left me in quite the predicament, should I stay where I knew no one or return home to my family and friends?”

It was a tough decision to make during difficult times, but SEANETTA chose to stay, “Not a simple choice, but one I have come to appreciate over time with little regret. 

“The capital city of Scotland is steeped in history and surrounded by natural beauty. I fill my days exploring and getting to know the many facets that make up this intriguing metropolis, that feels more like a small village than a bustling seat of power.” He tends to gravitate towards the macabre, but he’s always been fascinated with the city’s historical nuances. 

“My selected places tend to be spots that are freely accessible and open to the public at most times of the day,” he says. “More often than not, they are in locales that are in plain sight, but go unnoticed or are overlooked.”

Finding and sharing these spots brings him particular joy. “I usually gain enrichment by spotting something and then delving into the backstory to come up with the entry. I tend to shy away from the more common and well-known sites, but there are often hidden gems if you know where to look.”

Or who to speak to. One of SEANETTA’s mottos when he’s out uncovering hidden wonders is, “If you don’t ask, you don’t get.”

When he’s not exploring, SEANETTA can often be found volunteering with clean-up efforts along the Water of Leith Walkway. He also fosters dogs whose owners have been hospitalized, or otherwise needs someone to temporarily look after their beloved companions.