by CONNOR LAW
Did you know you can walk part way across the Firth of Forth?
North of Cramond village lies an island rich in history: Cramond Island.
The island is rare as it has a geological feature which few islands do: you can walk there, as it is a tidal island.
Historians believe the Island was likely occupied by the Romans; Cramond is one of very few places in Scotland which is rich in Roman architecture.
Despite this there is little hard evidence of Roman activity on the island. There is, however, evidence which suggests that the island was of significance to the prehistoric culture, that evidence being a burial Cist ( a box like stone coffin).
Despite a lack of firm historical records during ancient times, strong evidence from the British Wool Company confirms that from the 1790s until the death of Peter Hogg in 1904, Cramond Island was used for farming and sheep grazing in particular.
One such piece of evidence comes from a 1853 ordnance survey which show as a Farmstead towards the northern end of the island, although today it is partially concealed in ivy.
Evidence also suggests that Cramond Island was also a fishing island, as the remains of a stone Jetty can still be seen at the northwest corner of the island.
Cramond island was once known for its oysters, but the oyster population has been destroyed due to overfishing.
The island was also requisitioned during both world wars to protect the nearby anchorage for warships and the dock gate at Rosyth Dockyard from German torpedo boats and possible sabateurs. Counter-measures included an anti- submarine net, which was placed along the Forth and ran from Cramond Island to Inchmickery and Inchcolm island and the Fife coast line.
Two-pounder guns (Personal Defence Weapons) were placed on the northern end of Cramond Island during World War One and reinforced with further two pounder guns during World War Two.
The remnants of several second world war buildings can be found on the island, including shelters, engine rooms and store houses.
The island is approximately 7.70 Hectares in area, roughly 1/3 of a mile away from Cramond village.
Although it is owned by the Dalmeny estate, visitors can cross the causeway and explore the island, although any visitors to the island should take care to visit the island at low tide as visitors are stranded on the island on occasions.
It is difficult to believe that the opportunity to explore such wilderness and historical mystery lies on Edinburgh’s door!
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