A walk to Cramond Island

// September 12th, 2008 // 3 Comments » // Edinburgh

As the name implies, this island lies off Cramond on the north-western edge of Edinburgh. Covering an area of around 19 acres, it is one third of a mile long and stands nearly a mile from the shoreline at the estuary of the River Almond. It is currently part of the Dalmeny Estate, and strictly speaking it is not a true island at all, but a tidal island being connected to the mainland at low tide and also by a long causeway. This allows easy access for intrepid walkers wishing to cross over and visit. At high tide the island is completely cut off from the mainland with the path lying several feet below sea level. It is safe to cross to the island during a time window covering 2 hours before low tide until roughly 2 hours after. If you do miss the tide, and are cut off, you will be staying the night there.The Cramond area is rich in history, and archaeological excavations there have uncovered evidence of habitation dating to around 8500 BC, making it the earliest known site of human settlement in Scotland. There is also evidence to suggest that the nearby island may have had special significance to the prehistoric peoples who lived along the coast of the Firth of Forth, as at least one stone burial cist has been found there.
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