Planning my next Pugsley on Patrol trip - Crammond Island. Never been there so wondering what the terrain is like for cycling? Also any thoughts on stuff to film. Thanks.
CityCyclingEdinburgh Forum » Events, rides etc.
Cramond Island
(24 posts)-
Posted 12 years ago #
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"so wondering what the terrain is like for cycling?"
Haven't been for a while.
Mostly walked - the causeway is longer than you think...
First time I cycled it made the island seem really small!
"Also any thoughts on stuff to film"
You know about the concrete bunkers??
Plan to spend a few hours there - when the tide is in (you won't get disturbed!)
http://www.britishbeaches.info/cramond-city-of-edinburgh/weather-tides
Posted 12 years ago # -
It's been a while since I was there. 2004 or 2005 I think. Collecting earwigs for the purposes of SCIENCE!
There's the line of dragon's teeth, which I think supported the water pipe and electric cables.
There are the old bunkers from WW2 days. Largely intact, but stripped of their fittings mainly. I've got a couple of old 35mm photos on flickr.
There are also some old monastic ruins.
If you look into the side of the dune formations you can see heaps of oyster shells in the middens, that formed the diet of the former inhabitants.
There are paths in the grass enough to cycle around and when tide is out I'm sure Pugsley will make short work of the sand.
Plenty of interesting bird life.
Depending on which way wind is blowing and planes landing / taking off you could get some good shots there.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Last time I walked across there the path was quite narrow. This made passing other pedestrians fun! I don't know if they have widdened it but you may get funny looks from people coming the other way.
I've aleays fancied camping there when the tide is in
Posted 12 years ago # -
Very large rat population on crammond island. Caveat camper
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Very large rat population"
I always thought that was an urban myth.
Posted 12 years ago # -
I thought the giant rats were on Inchgarvie
Posted 12 years ago # -
Rodents of unusual size? I don't they think exis*ARGH*
Posted 12 years ago # -
Watch out for Livingston and West Lothian sewage outfalling from out from the modern pier on the north side of the island! Obviously it is a very big pipe and when the tide is right it backwashes with interesting results! Take a washing line peg for your nose!
Posted 12 years ago # -
Has anyone checked on Uberuce? I'm concerned he's bee*THUD*
Posted 12 years ago # -
"Watch out for Livingston and West Lothian sewage outfalling from out from the modern pier on the north side of the island!"
Really??
I thought dumping sewage was illegal (EU) - or is it just 'waste water'?
Posted 12 years ago # -
I believe it's the outflow of treated wastewater from the works at Cramond on the foreshore.
Unless it's an emergency overspill to prevent sewage backing up and flooding into rivers / onto streets etc., it wouldn't ever be put into the Forth unprocessed.
That doesn't mean that treated waste can't have a whiff about it. Also, estuaries are naturally stinky (particularly if you feed them with nutrient-enriched treated wastewater) from all the anaerobic algae and bacteria that give off sulphides.
Posted 12 years ago # -
Yes, the outflow pipe was moved to the far side of the island several years ago, which has improved the water quality closer to Cramond.
The works to do that resulted in a much wider path leading out the island.
I have cycled ou there a few times in my youth. Remember going out there on my Falcon Firefly (mini racer), and must have gone out on a mountain bike too.
Have also gone out in a Land Rover (with permission).
I read a book / large pamphlet on the history of Cramond Island. I think it was produced by some local worthy. Might be available from the Cramond Maltings?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Of course some Edinburgh residents will recall -
http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_my_p_edwk_d/0_my_photographs_edinburgh_at_work_-_gardyloo_ob34.htm
Popular for pensioner days out (free).
Posted 12 years ago # -
I think this was the book:
Cramond Island – The early history of the island and its role in two world wars
Posted 12 years ago # -
Trust me! Having kayaked through it, it is not always just grey water!, and ask the seagulls what size of second hand 'pink wellingtons' they get to wear?
Posted 12 years ago # -
Thanks, chaps. Will watch out for rats the size of small dogs, smelling of sewage and wearing "pink wellingtons" Cheers.
Posted 12 years ago # -
"There's the line of dragon's teeth, which I think supported the water pipe and electric cables."
Not electricity according to
"
Cramond Island – The early history of the island and its role in two world wars
"
Posted 7 years ago # -
I camp out with my Explorer Scouts there on an almost annual basis. Plenty of nice wee places to camp and sheltered in the woods. Or there are nice soft grassy bits on the western edge above the beach if you want to watch the sun go down from your tent. This year, I took all our kit out on the cargo bike! The newly filled in causeway makes cycling out much easier now.
Posted 7 years ago # -
I should say, the main hazard when camping are gadgies. But we've not had any inconsiderate neighbours the last few times we've camped over.
Posted 7 years ago # -
POSTED 5 YEARS AGO
Even in the abscence of rules that's quite a bump.
Harts, do you let anyone (RNLI?) know in advance when you're camping? I've heard rumours of call outs resuting from concerned landlubbers spotting lights on the island at night.
Posted 7 years ago # -
How filled-in in the causeway? Hope it hasn't lost the character it had.
Posted 7 years ago # -
Filled in so we can cycle over, as we did, but no loss of character
Posted 7 years ago # -
Posted 7 years ago #
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