Gilmerton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gilmerton
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 Gilmerton Post Office |
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 Gilmerton
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| OS grid reference | NT2969 |
| • Edinburgh | 4 miles (6.4 km) |
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| Country | Scotland |
| Sovereign state | United Kingdom |
| Post town | Edinburgh |
| Police | Lothian and Borders |
| Fire | Lothian and Borders |
| Ambulance | Scottish |
| EU Parliament | Scotland |
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| Scottish Parliament |
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Gilmerton is a suburb located about 4 miles (6.4 km) southeast of Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland. It's a place with a long history, once known as a village where people mined coal.
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What's in a Name?
The name "Gilmerton" has an interesting history! It comes from two old words. The first part, "Gilmer," comes from an old Scottish Gaelic name, Gille-Moire. This name means "Servant of [the Virgin] Mary." The second part, "ton," is an old English word meaning "settlement" or "farm." So, Gilmerton basically means "settlement of the Servant of Mary." People have been using versions of this name since the mid-1100s.
Gilmerton's Past: Coal and Caves
Gilmerton was once a busy village focused on coal mining. Below its center, there's a fascinating place called Gilmerton Cove. This is a series of shallow, connected underground caves.
People traditionally believed that a local blacksmith named George Paterson dug these caves. The story says he finished the excavations in 1724 and even lived in the caves for several years. However, some historians now think the caves might be much older than that. It's a bit of a mystery!
People of Gilmerton
Gilmerton is a diverse community. Most of the people living here are White, making up about 89.7% of the population. There are also many people of Asian heritage (7.3%), Black heritage (1.1%), and other backgrounds. This mix of cultures makes Gilmerton a vibrant place to live.
Famous People from Gilmerton
Some notable individuals have connections to Gilmerton:
- Dr Joseph Tillie FRSE
- Dr Louis Miller
- David Paton
Gilmerton Around the World
Did you know that Gilmerton's name traveled far? In Dunedin, New Zealand, there's a street called Gilmerton Street. It's located in the suburb of Corstorphine and was named after this Scottish suburb.
