Victorian engine discovered in attic of former Edinburgh jail 'one of three in world'

An “exceptionally rare” Victorian Crossley engine is set to go on display after being discovered in the attic of a former courthouse and jail in Edinburgh.

The engine is one of only three in the world and has remained hidden at the building on the Royal Mile for decades.

It was discovered in the attic of the hostel, CoDE The Court, during renovation work.

Built in 1878, the “marvel” of Victorian engineering was used to regulate the temperature of the Edinburgh Police Chambers.

Its discovery makes the engine the second-oldest surviving Crossley four-stroke engine in the world and the oldest in Europe.

The engine is one of only three in the world and had remained hidden at CoDE The Court for decades. James Armandary Photography

Only two other engines like it exist in the world, one of which is housed at the Henry Ford Museum in Michigan, USA, and another in Denmark.

Despite being hidden for decades, the engine was found in near-original condition, and research revealed a royal connection.

In the 1800s, Balmoral Castle had the same system installed, and the rediscovered engine was originally installed in the Royal Aquarium at Waverley before it was moved to the Edinburgh Police Chambers in 1881.

Andrew Landsburgh, director and founder of CoDE Concepts, said the discovery is one of the “most exciting” finds in Scotland.

The engine is now on display in The Lost Close, the underground vaults of the building. James Armandary Photography

“We found it during The Court’s renovation, posted a photo online not knowing what we had, and suddenly experts from around the world were contacting us telling us we’d uncovered something incredible,” he said.

He added that the discovery connects researchers “directly to Scotland’s innovative past and the very beginnings of technology”.

“What began as a refurbishment turned into the discovery of a vital piece of Edinburgh, and the world’s industrial heritage,” he said.

The engine is now on display in The Lost Close, the underground vaults of the building.

The engine was built in 1878 but found in 'near original' condition. — The engine was built in 1878 but found in ‘near original’ condition. James Armandary Photography

To mark the discovery, The Lost Close is launching the Scottish Innovations Tour in June, which will explore the country’s contributions to innovation and industry.

Visitors will journey through The Lost Close, now the permanent home of the Crossley ‘Otto Silent’ engine, and uncover Edinburgh’s role in shaping global technological progress.

James Armandary, The Lost Close’s tourism development lead, said the engine’s addition “bridges the gap between Scotland’s past innovations and technology we take for granted today.”

“This building continues to surprise us with its storied history, and with the launch of the Scottish Innovations Tour, visitors will not only be able to see the engine up close but also explore Edinburgh’s long-overlooked role in shaping global industry,” he said.

The Lost Close, hidden for nearly two centuries beneath layers of rubble from the Great Fire, was also rediscovered during renovations in 2019.