When we drink water and have a shower every day, we don't often think about where the water is actually coming from.
In terms of Edinburgh, one little secluded building in Comiston was the city's first source of piped water, with five springs within the four stone walls helping supply the capital with water during the 17th century.
The Comiston Springs Water House, unfortunately, is now disused and has been the subject of vandalism and graffiti since serving its purpose.
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Built in the late 1670s, it's incredible to think that this little B-listed hidden treasure still remains intact today. That being said, it is on the list of 'at risk' buildings in the capital, as another use has not been found since it was made surplus to requirements.
Several other capped wells remain dotted around the area that originate from the springs within the water house, remaining in a fairly good and surprising condition, keeping a piece of the old water system alive today.
Dutch engineer Peter Brauss was contracted in 1674 to construct the wells and cisterns within the town whilst Sir William Bruce was to remain responsible for their architectural design.
Robert Myle, the King's Master Mason, was contracted to build them. The main water house contained the wellhead cistern and the interior tank was fed by five springs. It is also understood that the building was responsible for delivering 135,000 gallons of water to Edinburgh every day through varied lead pipes.
A number of wells remain today, either as part of someone's garden, remaining enclosed by a private fence, or left slap bang in the middle of a local park.
Interestingly enough, the water network will always be remembered by various generations as multiple streets within the Comiston area have been named after it, such as Fox Spring Rise, Swan Spring Avenue and Comiston Springs.
The whole system is thought to have been disused since 1945, with the main water house building remaining intact, yet rather vulnerable to the elements and vandals.
Before the Comiston water house was built, it is believed that families could go weeks without fresh and clean drinking water, as the Nor' Loch, which flowed in the valley which now occupies Princes Street Gardens and Waverley Station, contained cholera and typhoid.
Each spring inside the water house featured a little animal on top of it, to make it clear which spring it has originated from, hence the names of several local streets in the area today.
