The cramond area has a long history, with evidence of mesolithic, bronze age and roman activity. It was here that the antonine wall was built between forth and clyde and it was here, just three years later, that the romans built the massive fort that was to be used as their main port. A tiny island perched between inchcolm and edinburghs cramond area. Good advice, if you end up too late to really visit the island, walk along the. Edinburgh waverley station to cramond island one way to. Cathair amain is a village and suburb in the northwest of edinburgh, scotland, at the mouth of the river almond where it enters the firth of forth. Cramond, an isle of mystery edinburgh travel guide air france. Possessing interesting geographical features for being a tidal island, this place is very delightful. Cramond roman fort and cramond tower scottish borders and.
I loved this tidal island, although i didnt manage to see much of it. With its moored yachts, stately swans and whitewashed houses spilling down the hillside at the mouth of the river almond, cramond is the most picturesque corner of edinburgh. Cramond island was fortified in 1915 as part of the middle defences of the firth of forth and explicitly to cover the antisubmarine barrier that ran from cramond to braefoot, via inchmickery and inchcolm islands. Edinburgh, cramond island, cramond battery canmore. Cramond village edinburgh all you need to know before. Cramond island edinburgh updated march 2020 top tips. Situated just over 34 of a mile into the firth of forth, cramond island is a tidal landmass located close the village of cramond near edinburgh. Cramond island feature page on undiscovered scotland. In modern times, it was the birthplace of the scottish economist john law 16711729. Accessible only at low tide, the deserted island is dotted with world war ii ruins.
The most cramond families were found in and scotland in 1841and scotland in 1851and scotland in 1861and scotland in 1871and scotland in 1881and scotland in 1891and scotland in 1901. Its also possible to walk over the causeway to the island at low tide do keep an eye on the tides though as it is possible to get stranded on. As it turns out, cramond is pretty well known for its island. During the first and second world wars, the island was used for the purpose of military defence. Visit cramond island edinburgh edinburgh code pod hostels. Cramond village cramond beach at cramond village, edinburgh eh4 6nu. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates you. Cramond island edinburgh all you need to know before you. Cramond island is the perfect halfday trip from edinburgh. He tells me that he went to cramond primary school in 1976 and stayed in cramond park until he was age 21. While its uninhabited, there are clear indications that man has once used the island. Little is known about the early history of cramond tower although it is believed to be a fifteenth century structure most likely built by the bishops of dunkeld. The island is in the estuary of the river almond whose mouth is near the landward end of the crossing. The large car park above the village is free what a bargain.
There is also some incredible history in cramond village nearby including an old roman fort that was built in 140ad. Discover cramond ghost island in edinburgh, scotland. Cramond, an isle of mystery edinburgh travel guide. It is a short walk to the causeway to cramond island. If you were to page through a history book dedicated to cramond in scotland, you would. This place is popular for its walks during the low tide. The forgotten history of the firth of forth islands. Find all the transport options for your trip from edinburgh waverley station to cramond island right here. The island is the perfect place to walk around, have a picnic or simply enjoy a good book.
By car 15 mins advice on the must sees, hidden gems, where best to eat cheap or expensive virtually anything from walking to nightlife in edinburgh and outside. Cramond was demolished and the fifth cohort of gauls were withdrawn to south shields arbeia. By the 1800s cramond island was being used to graze sheep, and the 1853 ordnance survey maps shows a farmstead towards the northern end of the island. Cramond island is one of 43 tidal islands that can be walked to from the mainland of great britain and one of 17 that can be walked to from the scottish mainland. If you are exploring edinburgh, the cramond island has got to be on your list of things to do, for more reasons than one. Its also possible to see many of the abandoned buildings around the island, which are now covered in lots of graffiti. Cramond is the most beautiful area to live in edinburgh. Since that momentous date, this gem of a place has been entwined with all sorts of enticing tales. In scotland cramond island day trip from edinburgh an. Cramond island is one of several islands in the firth of forth in eastern scotland, near edinburgh.
During the roman occupation of scotland, a fort was maintained in cramond, and roman inscriptions have been found carved into reused stones in cramond church. The village of cramond, on the fringes of edinburgh, is served by the number 41 bus. Cramond was incorporated into the city of edinburgh by the edinburgh boundaries extension and tramways act 1920. I stayed near cramond village and walked down to the sea front. In the 1800s the island was mainly used to graze sheep. The atmospheric city of edinburgh is best explored by night, when tales of mystery and murder are at their most frightening. Offshore, cramond island has ww ii fortifications and is linked to land by a. The island is part of the dalmeny estate, owned by the rosebery estates partnership, and is let to cramond boat club. Not even 15 minutes away from the wee gem is the quaint village of cramond. It is believed that romans first constructed a defence on the island for their harbour at cramond.
Discover the dark side of scotlands capital on a historical walking tour that covers edinburghs morbid past. A tiny island perched between inchcolm and edinburghs cramond area, inchmickery plays host to one of the more bizarre legends of the. History of cramond, in edinburgh and midlothian map and. If you feel like an adventure and wish to take a walk across to cramond island. The history of cramond island the island was mainly used for farming throughout its history and its suspected that the romans made extensive use of the site for cattle grazing as their remains have been found all around the area near cramond village. Cramond is a village and suburb in the northwest of edinburgh, scotland, at the mouth of the river almond where it enters the firth of forth. Cramond island edinburgh all you need to know before. Sermon preached in cramond parish church on sunday, 21st november 1909, being the sunday following the death of the reverend james alexander milne m. I recently received a message from alan whyte who would like to contact you. Majority of tourists visit cramond, famous for the oldest roman fort, cramond island foreshore and the river almond. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Cramond village cramond beach at cramond village, edinburgh eh4 6nu scotland. Cramond roman fort and cramond tower scottish borders. The area of cramond came about in 1920, when it was officially included into edinburgh by an act of parliament.
Majority of tourists visit cramond, famous for the oldest roman fort, cramond islandforeshore and the river almond. Id never heard of cramond before, and we went there simply because we knew it had a beach. There are 5 ways to get from edinburgh to cramond by bus, taxi, car, towncar or foot. Cramond island day trip from edinburgh, scotland solosophie. Cramond island edinburgh 2020 all you need to know. In later life the farmstead was used as a holiday home. In 1840 there was 1 cramond family living in new york. The cramond area has a long history, with evidence of mesolithic, bronze. Cramond island is a tidal island in the firth of forth reached at low tide by a causeway which extends for just over. Traces of this can still be found under a heavy growth of ivy. Mar 18, 2019 the island is the perfect place to walk around, have a picnic or simply enjoy a good book. In scotland cramond island day trip from edinburgh.
The cramond family name was found in the usa, the uk, canada, and scotland between 1840 and 1920. It is almost cut off from the western edge of edinburgh. It is entirely possible for visitors to become stranded on the edinburgh island if they dont make their way back when the tide rolls in. At low tide you can walk to the island but watch out for tide times. How to get from edinburgh to cramond by bus, taxi, car. Before you visit cramond island, ensure that you check the tide times. Cramond, along the river almond, is a major suburb of edinburgh in. Cramond island edinburgh 2020 what to know before you. Peace and quiet after the hectic events at the edinburgh fringe. The forgotten history of the firth of forth islands edinburgh news. Throughout most of its history, cramond island was used for farming, especially.
For years, cramond has been one of the most desirable places to live and visit due to the fairytale atmosphere and dreamlike setting. Book your tickets online for cramond village, edinburgh. This story gained attention due to the ironic parallels with robinson crusoe. The upcoming tide urged me to turn around off the island as soon as i arrived, but the short walk to it was more than worth it. During our visit we stayed at the wee gem cottage, situated pretty much on the doorstep of edinburgh airport.
Wanting to visit the cramond island we came across an interesting lovely little backwater of cramond village. Cramond island scottish gaelic eilean chathair amain is one of several islands in the firth of forth in eastern scotland, near edinburgh. Visit cramond island on your trip to edinburgh or united kingdom. Information about and images of cramond island near edinburgh on. Cramond island edinburgh 2020 what to know before you go. There is a noticeboard at the landward end of the causeway setting out the times when it may safely be crossed. Cramond started life sometime during the roman invasion. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in rome2rios travel planner. A cafe, a small public house and an art exhibition put on by a local artist. Cramond lies on the south shore of the river forth four miles north west of the centre of edinburgh. The island is small but pretty, there are nice views over the firth. Lying just off the coast of cramond beach, cramond island is a relatively untouched piece of land. The island has served several purposes in its history. Visit cramond island on your trip to edinburgh or united.
Cramond village edinburgh 2020 all you need to know. Sep 29, 2017 situated just over 34 of a mile into the firth of forth, cramond island is a tidal landmass located close the village of cramond near edinburgh. There is plenty of history to see in the area too with cramond boasting one of the longest known periods of human settlement, and refreshments are available at the nearby pub or the nice coffee shop. Cramond edinburgh, scotland attractions lonely planet. As a result much of island history focuses on the west coast and orkney. The history of the defences of the forth, as set out in the fort record book of inchcolm the national archives wo 192108. Select an option below to see stepbystep directions and to compare ticket prices and travel times in. Off the coast of edinburgh on the forth river, a small island traces the history of scotland during the second world war. Discover the dark side of scotlands capital on a historical walking tour that. Cramond island is nestled just a short 35 minute bus ride from central edinburgh of just 15 minutes in a. Cramond island edinburgh 2020 all you need to know before. He also sent me copies of class photos taken at cramond primary school in 1975 and 1977.
May 14, 2019 during our visit we stayed at the wee gem cottage, situated pretty much on the doorstep of edinburgh airport. Cramond island, edinburgh ticket price timings address. Cramond village cramond beach at cramond village, edinburgh eh4. Rome2rio makes travelling from edinburgh waverley station to cramond island easy. Discover the dark side of scotlands capital on a historical walking tour that covers edinburgh s morbid past. Access to the island is via a causeway that leads from the waters edge of the village along a wwii antitank barricade, and from the minute you step foot on the concrete causeway youre given. Cramond village edinburgh 2020 what to know before you. If you were to page through a history book dedicated to cramond in scotland, you would discover that the village is almost two thousand years old. Read the tide tables first or you will be stuck on. The complete guide to visiting cramond island near edinburgh.
Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online for the dates. Its nestled off shore from the charming white village of cramond, home to a small local pub, a gallery coffee shop and pretty much thats the main tourist areas. You have a narrow spot when you are able to go on the island and come back, it is important to check the tides times accurately, otherwise, you may get stuck on the island. Cramond village edinburgh all you need to know before you. Linked to the continent by a cement path, it is only accessible at low tide.