Cramond Village
Cramond Village
4.5
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4.5
229 reviews
Excellent
115
Very good
89
Average
21
Poor
3
Terrible
1
ShazzBakes
Pateley Bridge, UK71 contributions
Apr 2013 • Solo
Cramond is accessible on the 41 bus from Edinburgh city centre (George St or better yet Queensferry Rd due to the tram works). Ask the driver for the stop closest to the beach; it's less than 10 minutes downhill from there to the shorefront. Walking to the island (at low tide; the times are posted on the beach) is longer than it appears but more than worth it, but watch out for the lakes of broken glass (!). You can then walk along the Cramond promenade all the way to Granton; or, walk up half-way along (after the woodsy bit), next to the golf course, to Silverknowes and take any bus back to the city centre.
Written 19 April 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ElizabethJK
Australia2,355 contributions
Jul 2015 • Solo
Of the three days I spent in Edinburgh doing all the typical tourist things, my visit to Cramond was my favorite activity. Cramond is a scenic corner of Edinburgh, with pretty architecture, remnants of Roman ruins, and Cramond Island, which you walk out to along a causeway at low tide. Cramond is referred to as a village, but is officially part of the City of Edinburgh.
(1) Getting to and from Cramond: The Lothian #41 bus goes to Cramond and takes about 20 minutes. Be warned if you’re catching it from the “West End” stop shown on the bus map: this bus stop is around the corner on Queensferry St. I walked back and forth on Princes St trying to find the stop to take the first bus on Sunday morning, only to see it turn into Queensferry St so that I missed it. Rather than wait for the next bus, I took a taxi from outside The Caledonian Hotel on Princes St, for which I paid £12 plus a £2 tip. I asked the taxi driver to point out the Cramond bus stop once we got there so that I could catch the bus back, and he then dropped me at the waterfront.
I almost had another bus fail on the way back. After walking from the waterfront up Cramond Glebe Road to Cramond Road North, I waited at the bus stop on Cramond Road North immediately around the corner. Wrong! The buses going back to the city go from the other side of the road a little way down. Luckily I walked over to the bus parked at that stop just before it took off at 11am. By the way, Edinburgh buses have free wifi, so you can work out where you are on Google Maps, plan your next activity, check the latest weather report (this is Edinburgh, after all) or write your notes about Cramond for your TripAdvisor review! Make sure you have the right money (£1.50), as the drivers can’t give you change.
(2) Cramond village: The Cramond Association website has a helpful map showing the tourist attractions in Cramond.
(www.cramondassociation.org.uk/historic_map.htm ) I screenshotted the map, and accompanying explanations, on my phone the night before and then used it to get around. While there is no scale shown on the map, the things marked on it are very close together.
If you’re walking up Cramond Glebe Road from the waterfront, the first turn on the left takes you into a car park, not into the road shown on the map, which is instead the second turnoff on the left. However, the sign about the Roman baths is on the car park side (not that I could see anything that looked like ruins of Roman baths – just lots of grass!)
Cramond House, shown on the map, is now a nursery school marked “Private.” I was able to go onto the property to get a photo because I was there very early Sunday morning, but you might not be able to do this at other times.
I couldn’t work out the location of items 11 and 12 marked on the map, but I continued in that direction along the road until I got to some ruins near a little waterfall (locals had told me about the waterfall), before heading back to the waterfront to cross to Cramond Island. I spent just under two hours wandering around the village and near the waterfront, starting just before 7.30am. (I could have gone faster if I had wanted, but there was no point as I had to wait anyway for the tide to go out before I could cross to the island.) At that time of day, it wasn’t crowded, but a few locals were out for a walk or a run or to walk their dogs. By mid-morning, when I returned from Cramond Island, many more people were out and about. This is a friendly place, where people will often look you in the eye with a friendly “Morning!” and give you directions if you ask for them.
(3) Cramond Island: You can walk out to Cramond Island only at certain times when the tide is out. I hadn’t researched crossing times before I went, so checked the board near the causeway when I arrived. That day, the first crossing time was 9.34am, about two hours later. (I can’t remember now how long that crossing period stayed open. I think it was about four hours, with another crossing period later that day.) I was back near the waterfront about 9.20am and noticed other people crossing at that point, so started out then, a little bit before the time shown on the board. The causeway is about a mile long and it took me about 15 minutes to cross, stopping for some photos on the way. I walked around on the island for about 40 minutes. It’s uninhabited, with a few abandoned buildings. If there were any, ahem, facilities there, I didn’t see them. On my way back across the causeway (starting at about 10.25am), many people were crossing from the mainland to the island.
(4) Plane watching: Cramond is near the airport, so planes fly low coming in to land. My taxi driver told me to walk along the river (near the waterfall) to see them. This is indeed where they are lowest, but there is so much tree coverage above you that it’s not a good place to take photos of them. According to a couple of locals, the best place to watch the planes come in is at the waterfront. (If you’ve done some plane watching in Sint Maarten, this is nowhere near as dramatic as that!)
So I highly recommend spending a few hours in Cramond if you have time. It’s a pleasant contrast to the Royal Mile.
(1) Getting to and from Cramond: The Lothian #41 bus goes to Cramond and takes about 20 minutes. Be warned if you’re catching it from the “West End” stop shown on the bus map: this bus stop is around the corner on Queensferry St. I walked back and forth on Princes St trying to find the stop to take the first bus on Sunday morning, only to see it turn into Queensferry St so that I missed it. Rather than wait for the next bus, I took a taxi from outside The Caledonian Hotel on Princes St, for which I paid £12 plus a £2 tip. I asked the taxi driver to point out the Cramond bus stop once we got there so that I could catch the bus back, and he then dropped me at the waterfront.
I almost had another bus fail on the way back. After walking from the waterfront up Cramond Glebe Road to Cramond Road North, I waited at the bus stop on Cramond Road North immediately around the corner. Wrong! The buses going back to the city go from the other side of the road a little way down. Luckily I walked over to the bus parked at that stop just before it took off at 11am. By the way, Edinburgh buses have free wifi, so you can work out where you are on Google Maps, plan your next activity, check the latest weather report (this is Edinburgh, after all) or write your notes about Cramond for your TripAdvisor review! Make sure you have the right money (£1.50), as the drivers can’t give you change.
(2) Cramond village: The Cramond Association website has a helpful map showing the tourist attractions in Cramond.
(www.cramondassociation.org.uk/historic_map.htm ) I screenshotted the map, and accompanying explanations, on my phone the night before and then used it to get around. While there is no scale shown on the map, the things marked on it are very close together.
If you’re walking up Cramond Glebe Road from the waterfront, the first turn on the left takes you into a car park, not into the road shown on the map, which is instead the second turnoff on the left. However, the sign about the Roman baths is on the car park side (not that I could see anything that looked like ruins of Roman baths – just lots of grass!)
Cramond House, shown on the map, is now a nursery school marked “Private.” I was able to go onto the property to get a photo because I was there very early Sunday morning, but you might not be able to do this at other times.
I couldn’t work out the location of items 11 and 12 marked on the map, but I continued in that direction along the road until I got to some ruins near a little waterfall (locals had told me about the waterfall), before heading back to the waterfront to cross to Cramond Island. I spent just under two hours wandering around the village and near the waterfront, starting just before 7.30am. (I could have gone faster if I had wanted, but there was no point as I had to wait anyway for the tide to go out before I could cross to the island.) At that time of day, it wasn’t crowded, but a few locals were out for a walk or a run or to walk their dogs. By mid-morning, when I returned from Cramond Island, many more people were out and about. This is a friendly place, where people will often look you in the eye with a friendly “Morning!” and give you directions if you ask for them.
(3) Cramond Island: You can walk out to Cramond Island only at certain times when the tide is out. I hadn’t researched crossing times before I went, so checked the board near the causeway when I arrived. That day, the first crossing time was 9.34am, about two hours later. (I can’t remember now how long that crossing period stayed open. I think it was about four hours, with another crossing period later that day.) I was back near the waterfront about 9.20am and noticed other people crossing at that point, so started out then, a little bit before the time shown on the board. The causeway is about a mile long and it took me about 15 minutes to cross, stopping for some photos on the way. I walked around on the island for about 40 minutes. It’s uninhabited, with a few abandoned buildings. If there were any, ahem, facilities there, I didn’t see them. On my way back across the causeway (starting at about 10.25am), many people were crossing from the mainland to the island.
(4) Plane watching: Cramond is near the airport, so planes fly low coming in to land. My taxi driver told me to walk along the river (near the waterfall) to see them. This is indeed where they are lowest, but there is so much tree coverage above you that it’s not a good place to take photos of them. According to a couple of locals, the best place to watch the planes come in is at the waterfront. (If you’ve done some plane watching in Sint Maarten, this is nowhere near as dramatic as that!)
So I highly recommend spending a few hours in Cramond if you have time. It’s a pleasant contrast to the Royal Mile.
Written 12 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TartanWanderer
England, UK4,957 contributions
Mar 2013
The village and sea shore here are always beautiful no matter the weather. The village kirk (church) is also lovely. Don't waste time going to the pub though as it is shabby, the beers are poor, the food is terrible and the staff don't seem to care about customers.
Written 4 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
464chrisk
Berwick, UK24 contributions
Jun 2014 • Solo
Read 3 accounts of Cramond in books I own, so I finally went here.
Took the Stage Coach Queensferry bus from the west end of Princes St to just before the modern River Almond bridge.
Walked north-east along the river path - popular with couples with young children and dog owners - not so attractive to me with the trees fully in leaf.
As the path gets muddy, some areas have had tough gravel spread on it.
There's an up and down steep pair of steps which may put off some.
The big weir associated with one of the former mills means that the river is not very tidal.
So not many different birds to watch - only Mallard with some young and gulls until the Forth is reached.
Edinburgh hasn't tackled Giant Hogweeds here (or on the Esk) unlike the River Tweed consortium.
The best botany seen in the river: the lengths of white buttercups - Water Crowfoot.
Rather than sitting out at the 2 cafes I passed, I went in, out of the north wind, to the attractive inn.
Another unlucky choice of their lunches - mediocre burger and chips took over 35 minutes to arrive...
Didn't see the ferry across the river working.
Then walked east along the promenade - tide was in - and up to the Silverknowles bus stop.
Took the Stage Coach Queensferry bus from the west end of Princes St to just before the modern River Almond bridge.
Walked north-east along the river path - popular with couples with young children and dog owners - not so attractive to me with the trees fully in leaf.
As the path gets muddy, some areas have had tough gravel spread on it.
There's an up and down steep pair of steps which may put off some.
The big weir associated with one of the former mills means that the river is not very tidal.
So not many different birds to watch - only Mallard with some young and gulls until the Forth is reached.
Edinburgh hasn't tackled Giant Hogweeds here (or on the Esk) unlike the River Tweed consortium.
The best botany seen in the river: the lengths of white buttercups - Water Crowfoot.
Rather than sitting out at the 2 cafes I passed, I went in, out of the north wind, to the attractive inn.
Another unlucky choice of their lunches - mediocre burger and chips took over 35 minutes to arrive...
Didn't see the ferry across the river working.
Then walked east along the promenade - tide was in - and up to the Silverknowles bus stop.
Written 10 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ross B
Norway38 contributions
Sept 2013 • Solo
Bus 41 from George Street to Cramond 10 Sept 2013. Surprised that there was so much ancient history here; Edinburgh Tourism seems to ignore the place and, once there, no history books on sale, indeed no postcards, and nothing 'antique' and collectable. A snobby tearooms, and the Cramond Inn, deplorable! An impolite landlady who took 15 minutes aiding an American at the bar, he ordering food for three people at a table, with queries of 'Mushy peas? What's that?' and resulting shouts to his friends, 'Do you all want mushy peas with your steaks?', even more muddled explanations. The barmaid dashes away to serve drinkers in another bar, then her mobile rings, now the American is back with his demand for beer. Barmaid ignoring the queue of potential drinkers, no commiserating glance either. I tramped off, beer on hand in George Street.
About the only activity in Cramond is apparently the mighty airliners a 1000 feet overhead, zooming in and out of Edinburgh Airport. The Romans were lucky they never permanently settled there!
About the only activity in Cramond is apparently the mighty airliners a 1000 feet overhead, zooming in and out of Edinburgh Airport. The Romans were lucky they never permanently settled there!
Written 12 September 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
alibatty🦇
Dundee, UK20,660 contributions
Aug 2019 • Couples
Came upon this village purely by accident trying to get to Leith via the shore roads, and stopped for a wee dander. Very pretty place with an attractive (private) mediaeval tower, lovely kirk, Roman ruins and a superb location overlooking the Firth Of Forth with the kingdom of Fife on the distant side. There is a shaded woodland walkway bordering a narrow strip of fine sandy beach and a tidal causeway linked to Cramond Island which is just a short distance offshore. Very pleasant little harbour and inlet where the River Almond flows in to the Firth with ducks, swans and herons sheltering in the bay.
Written 18 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
olibot
Bishop Auckland, UK1,249 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
Cramond Village is a beautiful unspoilt little village. I didn’t expect to see such a village right next to Edinburgh.
Written 11 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeripateticPom
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates55 contributions
Jun 2013 • Friends
A luvly wee spot. The walk over to Crammond is beautiful. I make this a definite show when I have visitors to stay. The only advice I would give is to stay away from the pub. Extremely rude people! I have had guests come from all over the world to Edinburgh only to be embarrassed by an unbelievably hostile service there. Manners cost nothing and unfortunately those at the Crammond Inn fail to realise this. If there was a competitor pub next door, they would quickly go out of business....luckily, there are a few nice cafes, so pop in there for refreshments instead.
Written 28 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KAW687
London, UK2,589 contributions
Aug 2019
We stayed in a house opposite the water. The sunset was amazing. The village was an interesting place to wander round and then there is the beach, island and Roman ruins.
Written 11 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
27L09R
Glasgow, UK337 contributions
Jul 2014 • Solo
Crammond Village is a tiny little place that is often very busy. It's a pretty little place.
A pub and some houses surround the small harbour.
This is a popular area for walkers, dog walkers, prams and roller skaters as the walk along the promenade is pretty flat.
Lovely views out over the Forth and the bridges. There is a beach further along that you can access too.
You can also walk out to Crammond island - but do check the tide times!
It's an easy walk around here and there are also some free well kept public toilets near to the start of the island walk. There are stairs and a ram access when I was last here.
Sometimes there is a coffee / ice cream stall here too.
A good tip if diving is to look on the map for Marine Drive near Silverknowes as there is a huge amount of free parking available here - you can then walk down the stairs and walk to the left back to Crammond - this is a lovely walk and again pretty flat. If you need no stairs access then you'll need to get down nearer the cafe where this is possible.
A pub and some houses surround the small harbour.
This is a popular area for walkers, dog walkers, prams and roller skaters as the walk along the promenade is pretty flat.
Lovely views out over the Forth and the bridges. There is a beach further along that you can access too.
You can also walk out to Crammond island - but do check the tide times!
It's an easy walk around here and there are also some free well kept public toilets near to the start of the island walk. There are stairs and a ram access when I was last here.
Sometimes there is a coffee / ice cream stall here too.
A good tip if diving is to look on the map for Marine Drive near Silverknowes as there is a huge amount of free parking available here - you can then walk down the stairs and walk to the left back to Crammond - this is a lovely walk and again pretty flat. If you need no stairs access then you'll need to get down nearer the cafe where this is possible.
Written 9 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dal 20 al 25 sono ad Edimburgo. .Vorrei venire a cremond island e vorrei sapere orari dell'alta marea x potermi organizzare..grazie
Written 9 March 2019
I’m planning to visit with a relative who has mobility problems. I normally use the car park just up from the village and walk down but this won’t be suitable for him. Is there any parking nearer the promenade or is it possible to drive right to the promenade so I can drop him off and then go back to park the car? I don’t have a blue badge for him. Thanks
Written 12 August 2018
you can drive right down but the parking is tight but you can drop your passenger off and park behind the pub hope this helps
Regards REG
Written 19 August 2018
How far from centre of city and transport information and cost of taxi to centre
Written 29 January 2018
hi cramond is approx 30 minutes from city centre by public transport taxis are pricey in edinburgh a guess would be about £10 to £12. best way get a bus and buy a daysaver £4 for all day then get a 29 bus to silverknowes and walk along the front or a 41 direct to cramond. option 1 is better. enjoy edinburgh.
Written 29 January 2018
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