Go to the Main Scottish Cave and Mine Database Search Page

Denburn Culvert (Inlet)

Gilcomston to Aberdeen Harbour, Aberdeen City.

Victorian culvert below Aberdeen city centre, constructed during the 1840s.

A dominantly brick-lined culverted passage of walking- to crouching-size takes the full flow of the Den Burn at an artificial sink in the Gilcomston area. The tunnel terminates at an open entrance below the apron of Victoria Dock, Aberdeen Harbour.

Alternative Names: Aberdeen Darkie

Notes: Given location is that of the Gilcomston sink point.

The Den Burn formerly flowed at surface along the Denburn Valley prior to culverting in order to develop the railway / Denburn Road which run alongside Union Terrace Gardens. The section described here is the longest and final culverted section of the Den Burn that runs underground at several other points between Rubislaw and Gilcomston, most notably a ca. 400m long section between Bleinheim Place and Albert St.

Although the entrance to the tunnel at Gilcomston is barriered off, an online video showing exploration of the culvert to its conclusion (now removed?) demonstrated that it could be bypassed during low water conditions, and that the passage can be followed for its entirety. However, it is likely that the low gap below below the barrier would become submerged during any flood pulse, and any safe attempt at exploration requires low water conditions with little or no rain forecast. [I. Greig]

It is possible that the name of Aberdeen is a corruption of Aberden, referring to the 'mouth of the Den [Burn]'.

Hydrographic Feeds: Den Burn

Hydrographic Resurgences: Aberdeen Harbour