June

George

Silverknowes – Cramond – Cramond Brig – Eagle Rock – Snab Point – Barnbougle Castle – South Queensferry.

Sunny all day. Cold easterly wind at first. Warmer in sheltered spots.

George, Ron, Sandy, Diane, Richard, Bernie

Michael and Michelle - in Switzerland

Ashley - in Thailand

Comments

We took the train from Newcastle to Edinburgh Waverley. Evelyn also joined us and went off to visit the Royal Botanic Gardens while we walked.

We took the bus to the promenade at Silverknowes and walked westwards to the village of Cramond. We visited the remains of the Roman Fort before going through the Kirkyard back to the harbour and village with its inn and houses with their picturesque gardens. Several information boards told the history of Cramond as a port from Roman times until the late 18th century. It was a lovely walk along the banks of the River Almond, with a lunch stop at the ruins of the 18th century Fair-a-Far iron foundry. We had a good view of the waterfall, and seating was provided. Diane fed a crow with her grapes. We were accosted by a professional photographer. Then we crossed the river at Cramond Brig and walked back down to the sea at Eagle Rock before going through the woods on the shore of the Firth of Forth, passing Dalmeny House and Barnbougle Castle. Ruby enjoyed the freedom of being off the lead most of the time.

Sandy ran back with a dropped baby hat to some parents with a pram heading in the opposite direction

There was an impressive view of the three Forth bridges. We saw and heard several trains crossing the railway bridge. South Queensferry was very busy with passengers from the cruise ship, 'Regal Princess'. They were returning after an excursion into Edinburgh and were awaiting transfer by tender back to the ship, which was anchored downstream of the railway bridge. We chatted to the friendly driver of one of the buses transporting the cruise passengers. He showed us a photo of his Vizlerlabrador and explained that the ship was on a clockwise circumnavigation of the British Isles out of Southampton.

Evelyn visited the Royal Botanic Gardens to do some sketching, and she had some interesting encounters with grey squirrels and ducks. She took the tour bus to the Ocean Terminal Shopping Mall, where she also encountered many cruise ship passengers.

Wildlife: Swans, herons, pied grey wagtails, mallards with chicks.

Flora and Fauna: Rhododendrons, azaleas, dog rose, wild geraniums, lots of other wild flowers; Evelyn's friendly grey squirrels in the Gardens.

The Abbotsford. Very dog friendly. Very noisy. Excellent haggis and fish and chips.

Cramond Harbour

River Almond at Cramond

Fair-a-Far Mill

Lunch stop

Cramond Brig

Dalmeny House

Distant Bridges

Rail Bridge with Cruise ship

Plaques

Royal Botanic Gardens

Meconopsis 'Slieve Donard'

Mallard friend

Evelyn's Squirrel Encounter