History Cramond Island

the ruined farmstead on cramond island

there evidence suggest island may have had special significance prehistoric peoples lived along coast of firth of forth, @ least 1 stone burial cist found.

as nearby cramond roman outpost, may have been used them. roman presence in scotland not particularly strong, cramond 1 of archaeologically rich sites, along trimontium near melrose.

throughout of history, cramond island used farming, sheep-farming, , perhaps served fishing outpost well. island once famous oyster beds, these destroyed due overfishing. in north west corner of island there remains of jetty built local stone medieval in origin, while towards centre of island, half-hidden small wood there ruin of stone-built farmstead. appears on ordnance survey map of 1853, may considerably older. occupied until 1930s , sheep still kept on island late 1960s.

world war i

in 1914 middle line of defences established across forth estuary, protect anchorage warships between line , forth rail bridge. anti-submarine net ran cramond island inchmickery, inchcolm , fife coast. 3 islands armed 14 x 12-pdr guns, 2 of mounted on cramond.

world war ii

ww2-era fortifications on cramond island

at outbreak of world war ii, cramond island, along other islands in forth, refortified , armed 2 12-pdr guns, , modern 6-pdr twin equipment, designed tackle fast-moving torpedo boats. anti-submarine net , anti-boat boom laid across estuary cramond island directly inchcolm, , charles hill battery on fife coast. barrier protect ships in anchorage attack torpedo boats, , stop submarines entering anchorage attack shipping or damage dock gate of rosyth dockyard. line of concrete pylons built cramond island shore complete anti-boat barrier (which misidentified anti-submarine barrier - water far shallow). after crossing causeway, first structures emplacements 75 mm gun , associated searchlight. several ww2 buildings survive, including housings coast artillery search lights, stores, shelters , gun emplacements, 2 engine rooms once contained equipment necessary supply power military installations on island. anchor points anti-submarine net , anti-boat boom visible @ north end of island @ low tide.

further along northern coast, low concrete stumps protrude undergrowth, remain of barracks housed garrison on island.

on western side small brick building of unknown purpose. nearby, perched precariously on rocky shore ruin of small square building used ammunition store during war, though stone construction suggests older either world war, possibly contemporary farmstead in middle of island.