Dalmeny Estate: Queensferry to Cramond Brig

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A linear walk from the harbour town of South Queensferry through the wooded seaside estates of Dalmeny House and Barnbougle Castle to Old Cramond Bridge and the River Almond; both ends of the route are accessible by public transport.

Terrain

Surfaced roads and pavement and aggregate footpaths.

Public Transport

Train to Dalmeny Station, South Queensferry; bus stop at Cramond Brig at end of route.

Start

Dalmeny Station, South Queensferry. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Currently 3.27/515

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Walk Description

Stage 1

Leave Dalmeny train station into Station Road, and follow this to reach the The Loan which runs downhill to meet South Queensferry High Street. Turn right along this historic street which contains a number of interesting buildings such as the 17th century Tollbooth with tower built in 1720. Pass the Hawes Inn, also dating back to the 17th century and featured in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel Kidnapped. The road emerges from the buildings to run directly above the beach and past Hawes Pier - departure point for the ferries which now offer tours of the Forth islands rather than a vital link to Fife. The red Forth Rail Bridge looms overhead; an icon of Scotland, it was one of the world's greatest engineering achievements when completed in 1890.

Stage 2

Continue under the bridge and along a leafy track to Long Craig Pier, where a gate signals the boundary of the Dalmeny Estate. Head through this and follow the well-made track into woodland. Ignore a junction on the right heading into farmland and continue to follow the 'Shore Walk' signs towards Cramond Ferry. Eventually the path reaches Hound Point just before turning sharply right - take a brief detour left to admire the panoramic views over to Fife and onwards to Barnbougle Castle. This viewpoint is reputed to be haunted by the dog of Sir Richard Mowbray, a knight killed in the Crusades.

Stage 3

Leaving the point the path soon passes Fishery Cottage, a remnant of the salmon netting that occurred in this area until the 1950s when declining fish sticks made the operation uneconomical. The remains of the net supports can still be seen emerging from the sand at low tide. Continue along the easy path to meet a surfaced road from the right and join this to pass Barnbougle Castle. The original tower house on this site was built by the Mowbray family in the 13th century and rebuilt in the 17th century after passing through numerous hands to finally become the family seat of the Earl of Rosebery. In the 19th century Dalmeny House was built to replace the dilapidated building and the family moved in on completion in 1817. After becoming damaged in an explosion in 1881 the building was completely renovated and eventually housed the 5th Earl of Rosebery's private library before becoming the main Rosebery family residence in modern times.

Stage 4

Shortly after passing Barnbougle the Tudor gothic mansion of Dalmeny House comes into view surrounded by the greens of Dalmeny Golf Course. The house was used as an auxiliary hospital during World War I and the stables housed a barrage balloon unit during World War II. The house is open to the public for guided tours during the summer months and contains one of Britain's largest collections of Napoleonia. Immediately after passing the woodland surrounding Barnbougle turn left to skirt around the lawns and follow a grassy path along the coastal wall.

Stage 5

This path eventually reaches a sandy beach before heading inland along a burn to a footbridge. Cross this and re-enter woodland along an earth path. Follow this path to reach some estate buildings at a surfaced road, cross the road as directed and continue along this narrower, often boggy, path as it curves left to Snab Point.

Stage 6

Rounding the point the path heads briefly inland, crosses a footbridge and then returns to the shore. From here it is possible to make a detour to the Eagle Rock, so-named due to the eagle carved into it - reputedly by Roman legionaries from the fort at nearby Cramond. Appropriately, there are good views to Cramond Island and the mouth of the River Almond from this point. Return to the main path and continue to a split in the path. The familiar wooden signpost suggests an onward continuation to Cramond Ferry which sadly hasn't existed since the year 2000. Turn right instead to head inland and out of the forest onto a farm track running through farmland. This land forms part of the estate and is leased in the traditional style to tenant farmers. Follow the easy track as it turns into a surfaced road briefly before joining Cycle Route 1 at East Craigie Gate and continuing onwards to the Miller & Carter Steakhouse.

Route: Phil Turner

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Dalmeny Estate: Queensferry to Cramond Brig

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Terrain

Public Transport

Start

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