Cramond to North Queensferry

Mike Baron

22 February 2024

Are we spoilt living in the East of Scotland or what?

While we may lack the challenges of the high mountains, we have a myriad of high class walks available to us without long drives or 2 hour treks to get to the start of the climb. Last week 10 Marauders Alistair, Isabel, Crawford, Moira, Willie, Andrew, Pamela, Neil, Susan and Mike had a great day out and for those of us living in the centre of Edinburgh just a short bus ride to the start.

The starting point was mundanely described as the “corner of Brae Park Road and Whitehouse Road”, but turns out to be a place of major significance in contemporary culture. It is at JK Rowling’s Edinburgh Residence. I started there on many occasions without knowing that – which maybe explains why I have not been invited in for tea. (Most of the information in this description comes from Andrew who has an encyclopaedic knowledge of things – a lot of which comes from his day job as a bus tour driver. He is happy to share this on his days off – a literal busman’s holiday)

The road from Edinburgh to South Queensferry has been a major thoroughfare for thousands of years. The first part of the route follows part of the old route and crosses the original Cramond Brig, then into the Dalmeny Estate.

For most of the way the route follows the shore allowing extensive views of the Forth, its island and its birdlife. To get the best of the views we went along the beach – this was fine until we came to an impasse. Because the tide was in and there had been a lot of rain, the stream coming was much wider and deeper than usual and could not be crossed without the severe danger of wet feet or worse. While the more intrepid contemplated ways of getting across, a route was found back to the path and the bridge. Discretion conquered valour on this occasion and there were no soggy toes.

The view opens up from here with the imposing Barnbougle Castle prominent. Much rebuilt since it origins in the 13th century and now used for functions and exhibitions.

The next stop was Hound Point, one of the best of the many viewpoints on the walk - this view includes Andrew’s abode in Dalgety Bay. There was an impromptu decision to partake of first lunch at this lovely spot. We learnt that the tanker docking facility was not as the ignorant amongst us had always assumed was where the oil was delivered for Grangemouth but was where Scottish oil is exported. The weather was pleasant with some sun and little of the forecast wind, however there were showers around – mainly on the Fife side. It was particularly good at the railway bridge with sun on our side and storms on the other.

Next stop was the Orocco Pier restaurant in South Queensferry for second lunch. Coffee and cakes for some, soup for others and one even had a “bao bun”. Not our usual sort of bun but looked good.

The old road bridge does not start from South Queensferry, more from above South Queensferry and compared with the rest of the walk, it is a steep climb up the road to the start of the bridge. Steep enough to work off a couple of lunchtime bao buns.

The walk across the bridge is spectacular and much more pleasant now the bridge has hardly any traffic. Definitely worth a trip on its own. The views are spectacular and we were very lucky that there was no wind to speak of.

There are bus stops at the North end of the bridge for buses back to Edinburgh. One came within minutes of our arrival for those going back to Edinburgh.

A great day out and for most of us an environmentally friendly one (and very cheap with a bus pass).

Mike Baron
February 2024