Around 2.50pm today (Monday 17 October, 2022) the body of a woman was found on Cramond Island as part of ongoing inquiries to locate a missing person.
No formal identification has taken place, however the family of 47-year-old Averil Shepley, reported missing from Edinburgh, has been notified.
Officers remain at the scene and enquiries are ongoing.
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!
The rising tide times around Cramond Island this weekend will mean RNLI are likely to see calls to help walkers cut off by the tide.
Two weekends ago, the volunteers at Queensferry RNLI were call out three times (Friday, Saturday and Sunday) to evacuate stranded walkers.
The causeway leading to and from Cramond Island will be unsafe to use at points throughout the weekend.
If you’re fortunate enough to live nearby and decide to walk across for your essential exercise, plan ahead before you go to reduce the risk of being cut off by the rising water.
The RNLI are warning those who live near to Cramond Island and planning a walk across this weekend to be aware of the high spring tides that may cut off your path on the tidal causeway.
Spring tides happen every lunar month throughout the year without regard to the season. During this time the earth, sun and moon are lined up in a row which results in a higher swell. This makes the high tides higher and the low tides lower than other days throughout the month.
The next high spring tides will start today (Friday 15 January) and continue throughout the weekend. This means the danger of being cut off by the fast-rising tide while walking to or from Cramond Island is higher than usual.
Current Scottish Government guidance allows for exercise that starts and finishes at the same place, providing you remain within your local authority area. This means that people living near to Cramond may decide to choose this option for essential exercise, but the RNLI are urging those people to consider the unusually large tides expected this weekend.
The island is popular with walkers who take the opportunity to venture across at low water. When the tide rises, under-prepared walkers can find themselves stranded. Over the last two months, the volunteer crew at Queensferry RNLI have been called to evacuate a total of nine people and two dogs who found themselves cut off by the tide.
To avoid this happening over the weekend, the lifesaving charity are asking walkers to check the tide times before crossing.
Michael Avril, RNLI Regional Water Safety Lead for Scotland said: ‘Our volunteers remain on call, ready to respond, but the need for our help can be avoided if walkers plan ahead by checking the tide times before setting off.
Spring tides will make the high tides higher and they will also come in quicker. The danger in this is that people can get cut off quicker without even realising until it’s too late.’
To check the safest times to cross, text CRAMOND to 81400 or visit: https://www.queensferrylifeboat.co.uk/cramond-tides
The coast is a dangerous and unpredictable place and Michael urges those who intend to walk this weekend to act before you go to get the necessary help to you if needed.
He said: ‘Accidents happen, and it is important that you are able to call for help if you need it. If you find yourself or spot others in trouble, call 999 and ask for the coastguard straight away. Stay calm and don’t try and wade through the water as this could be dangerous.’
For more information of how to stay safe at the coast, please visit the RNLI website: www.rnli.org.uk
