Cramond Island, Firth of Forth, August 2009

Cramond Island is a tidal island in the Firth of Forth. It is supposed to be accessible on foot about two hours before and after low tide, although it was a good two hours after low tide when we left and the water was nowhere near the path. Along the side of the path there are concrete pylons that were part of WW2 anti-submarine measures.

On the island there are several WW2 buildings. I don't know enough to know what they are so I'll just post the pictures.

















More here

Nice photo's Richard. I could while away a good few hours looking round there. Judging by the rest of your photo's there is quite a bit to see

There was quite a bit we didn't cover on the west side. The sky was darkening rapidly and I was a bit wary of getting cut off by the tide like these people.

I'll definitely go again though.

RichardB said:

There was quite a bit we didn't cover on the west side. The sky was darkening rapidly and I was a bit wary of getting cut off by the tide like these people.

I'll definitely go again though.

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Definitely worth going back. It's surprising how fast the tide comes in up there. I've fancied having a look at this place myself but every time I've been up that way I've not had time to do anything other than drive. I take it the other island is only accessable by boat (I think I saw it on here somewhere but cannot remember what its name is)

Nice one Richard. The island was a coastal battery in both wars, the surviving buildings being from WW2.
That first set of buildings was the guard and observation posts. Never been myself yet, but there are more gun/searchlight emplacements on the NE end of the island, and a few more scattered over the west end. There was an anti-submarine boom which ran from the north end over to Inchmickery, and from there to Charles Hill battery at Aberdour.
On the Cramond side, there was a bombing decoy and ack-ack battery between the Roman fort and the sewage pumping station; you can still just trace the original access road between the modern road and the edge of the grass.

This is really nice. The defence pylons are amazing...first time I've seen any. Cracking pics, Rich.

I love going to Crammond Island for BBQs!

That certainly looks an interesting little explore!

Excellent report/pictures mate

The other island you can see is Inchmickery. I've read that it was built up to look like a battleship but I don't know if that's true or an urban myth. It's now a bird sanctuary.

I think I might be wrong about the pylons. It's hard to believe a submarine could find its way up that side anyway, a boat would struggle even at high tide. They are obviously part of some wartime defence system though, I'll have to do a bit more research.

It does look like a good place for barbecues or even camping. The only problem is that you're committed once the tide comes in.

Richard,
The pylons were for a boom cable to stop enemy surface craft (ie torpedo boats) trying to sneak past the island at high tide in the dark.
Inchmickery was actually deliberately given the profile of a warship when the gun batteries were built.

RichardB said:

The other island you can see is Inchmickery. I've read that it was built up to look like a battleship but I don't know if that's true or an urban myth. It's now a bird sanctuary.

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Now I'm confussed I thought Inchgarvie was built to resemble a WW1 warship, does that mean that there's two ?

Phil

Great photos, Richard.

Hubby and I were here a couple of years ago and one of my fave pics I've ever taken is of that causeway.

We weren't able to stay long as the tides were against us but it was a cracking spot with some really interesting things to explore. Would love to get back there sometime.

Shatters-
I'm led to believe that they both resemble battleships in profile; one deliberately and one accidentally.
Can't remember which is which though!

the_historian said:

Richard,
The pylons were for a boom cable to stop enemy surface craft (ie torpedo boats) trying to sneak past the island at high tide in the dark.

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That sounds more like it.

Aha! I told Zimbob I had read a report about one of the islands in the Forth being pedestrian accessible at low tide, and I was poo pooed! Thanks for proving me right

Glad to be of service.