Forty Strollers
assembled for the walk out to Cramond Island led by 3 guides from the Cramond
Association. It’s always good to be with someone who knows the tides as well as
giving some insight into the island and the surrounding area.
We set out on to the
causeway to walk out past the pylons, which look like a Toblerone bar,
built to during World War II though a couple have been removed to allow quick
access back to the harbour for the smaller yachts in the event of bad
weather. The causeway is in actual fact built over the sewage pipe which passes
under the island to exit on the other side. It now only supposed to be a back
up to Seafield but there are thoughts that it does get used more than it
should.
Onto the island to hear
about the history from its time as a home for fallen maidens, a farm, a place
to hold a duel and settle old scores, its time as a fishing area and its
history from World War II up to today where it hosts raves and is generally
left in a sorry state. There was also evidence of the ice-age creating the
lines on the rocks, as well as the site of the old quarry which at one time was
used as a pleasure area for people staying o the island but is now filled in.
Our own Ian S’s grandparents
at one time occupied the house on the island and his mother and aunts holidayed
there. It is also thought that the ‘duck’ house and the island were the
inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. It was soon time to
head back before we became another RNLI statistic and enjoy lunch back on
shore.
Our thanks to Ian K for
arranging the walk and to the Cramond Association guides.
Look forward to
seeing you on the next walk.
