A view From Cramond Island to main land
Cramond Island is one of several islands in the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh. It is an intriguing place, cut off from the mainland twice a day by the tide. In both World Wars, it was part of a network of gun batteries and searchlight stations based around the Firth of Forth to protect the naval base at Rosyth from enemy raids. Most of the buildings you can see today are from the island's time as a Second World War defence base.
In 1941, the Home Guard (a volunteer force set up to help fight the German army if it invaded) mounted a mock attack to test the island's defences. The night before the raid, volunteer Sergeant Exley crept onto the island and spent 24 hours spying on the regular soldiers, noting how they'd organised their lookouts. When his comrades landed, they knew exactly where to go - and their raid was a complete success. It's even said they caught some soldiers asleep at their guns! On the north shore of the island, you can still see the curved tracks that were part of the twin six-pounder gun installation.
The pillars between here and the island were built as part of the wartime defences. They were designed to stop motor torpedo boats sneaking past the defences by sailing between the island and the shore. Look out for slots in the sides of the pillars - they held concrete beams to create a solid wall.
Hidden in the small woodland in the centre of the island are the ruins of a small farmhouse. Part of it was rented out as a holiday cottage and after the farmer died in 1904, one family rented the whole island as a holiday retreat. They loved coming here year after year to play and relax in a little world apart.
If you'd like to explore the island, check the safe crossing times on the notice board to the right before you set off. On your way, keep to the hard concrete strip - the mudflats are very soft. Leave plenty of time to get back, because the tide comes in quickly!
A view From Cramond Island to main land
Cramond Island is one of several islands in the Firth of Forth, near Edinburgh. It is an intriguing place, cut off from the mainland twice a day by the tide. In both World Wars, it was part of a network of gun batteries and searchlight stations based around the Firth of Forth to protect the naval base at Rosyth from enemy raids. Most of the buildings you can see today are from the island's time as a Second World War defence base.
In 1941, the Home Guard (a volunteer force set up to help fight the German army if it invaded) mounted a mock attack to test the island's defences. The night before the raid, volunteer Sergeant Exley crept onto the island and spent 24 hours spying on the regular soldiers, noting how they'd organised their lookouts. When his comrades landed, they knew exactly where to go - and their raid was a complete success. It's even said they caught some soldiers asleep at their guns! On the north shore of the island, you can still see the curved tracks that were part of the twin six-pounder gun installation.
The pillars between here and the island were built as part of the wartime defences. They were designed to stop motor torpedo boats sneaking past the defences by sailing between the island and the shore. Look out for slots in the sides of the pillars - they held concrete beams to create a solid wall.
Hidden in the small woodland in the centre of the island are the ruins of a small farmhouse. Part of it was rented out as a holiday cottage and after the farmer died in 1904, one family rented the whole island as a holiday retreat. They loved coming here year after year to play and relax in a little world apart.
If you'd like to explore the island, check the safe crossing times on the notice board to the right before you set off. On your way, keep to the hard concrete strip - the mudflats are very soft. Leave plenty of time to get back, because the tide comes in quickly!