Urban explorers have made their way into another of the city’s abandoned structures.
First opened in 1898, the Madelvic car factory is the oldest purpose built car factory in the whole of the UK. Now, a duo has made their way into the building for a YouTube video.
The team make their way into the structure, noting the ‘vandalism and destruction’ that has taken place in it over the years.
READ NEXT- Woman claiming to be Madeleine McCann finally get her DNA test results back
Founded by William Peck, Edinburgh’s City Astronomer, the Madelvic car factory was formed as electricity was becoming more commonplace. In their walls, the factory produced an ‘electric brougham’ with a motor which sat behind the axle and propelled the car.
It could also be attached to a horse-drawn carriage. William Peck advertised the creation by offering transport between Granton and Leith.
In January 1899, the Scottish Referee told readers: “The Madelvic Motor Carriage Compay, whose extensive factory is situated at Granton, have secured the exclusive right to manufacture and fit tyres for the Leather Pneumatic Tyre Company of London.”
Sign up to our Edinburgh Live nostalgia newsletters for more local history and heritage content straight to your inbox
Sadly, electric cars didn’t take off at the time and the business went bankrupt - with the factory taken over by the Kingsburgh Motor Company. By 1912, vehicle production had ended.
By the time of the Second World War, torpedoes were housed in the building. Since 1925, a wirecloth manufacturer United Wire has been operating on the grounds - though the warehouse lies empty.
Across the road stands the Madelvic House, a red stone building which was once the offices of the motor company and still houses the United Wire company. The warehouses have been abandoned for centuries, and as noted in the video have seen better days.
The explorers, who run the YouTube account SzDan, visit various abandoned buildings in Edinburgh including Castlebrae High School and the Redhall Children’s Home.
READ NEXT:
Beautiful Edinburgh footage captures capital life in the 1950s
Incredible film captures new post-war shopping precinct near Edinburgh as it opens
Historic former Edinburgh cinema and bingo hall is put up for sale
Fascinating Midlothian footage shows crowds gathered for Dalkeith Gala parade almost 100 years ago
A look back at Edinburgh boxer Ken Buchanan's life through pictures
