Edinburgh’s Cramond Island

One of several islands in the Firth of Forth, Cramond Island is among Edinburgh’s most attractive places. Located on the north-western edge of the city, the tiny island is nearly a mile from the shoreline at the estuary of the River Almond.

The beautiful Cramond Island

Almost cut off from the western edge of Edinburgh by a line of golf courses, Cramond is not an island in the strict sense of the word. It’s actually a tidal island connected to the mainland at low tide across the Drum Sands, with a paved path that gives easy access to visitors desiring to cross over.

The path to Cramond Island

On Cramond Island

However, at high tide Cramond Island is completely cut off from the mainland, with the path getting submerged several feet below sea level. So better take that into account when you “get on the other side”, otherwise you could be left stranded, as tides change quickly. Miss the two hour window that allows exploration and you’ll probably spend your night over there. Makes you feel like it’s your very own private island, unless you’re afraid of being all alone with no access to mainland.

Like many of the other islands in the Firth, Cramond Island was meant as a fortification to protect the coasts if enemy warships were to enter the channel. And evidence exists even today.There’s a narrow pier, topped by a line of concrete pyramids (which also connects the island to the shore), built during the Second World War as an anti-submarine defense.

Military buildings on Cramond Island

Beach on Cramond Island

But there’s more to the whole history stuff. With evidence of habitation dating to around 8500 BC (which makes it the earliest known site of human settlement in Scotland), throughout most of its history Cramond Island has been used for farming and fishing purposes. And the stone-built farmhouse that you can find half hidden in a tree, is living evidence that people used to inhabit the whole area. Apparently at the 1901 census, there were three people living on Cramond Island: James Hogg (59), the head farmer, his nephew Peter Hogg (29) as assistant farmer and a Margaret A Gibb (21), the housekeeper.

Enjoyed by both locals and visitors alike, nowadays Cramond Island is a popular area of recreation during the day, and the perfect place for any “party animals” when the sun sets off. But there’s also a controversial side to the whole story. Cramond Island have also been host for unofficial punk rock festivals where local Gaelic punks Oi Polloi performed in front of more than 300 people.

Path to Cramond Island

Tide on Cramond Island

Cramond Island and beautiful skies

And now that the journey is over and you’re heading back to Edinburgh, how about a piece of advice. Make sure you pay Cramond Inn a visit. It’s a cozy little pub that has some of the cheapest beer in Edinburgh and a village atmosphere that will definitely charm you.

Images courtesy of riggott, blyth, kyz, maniacyak (1+2), pinkyogamuffin, gazh, patrickdown