Sitting in the estuary of the River Almond, it’s technically an islet, only a third of a mile long and slightly less than that across. It’s currently uninhabited, although prior to World War Two it was a popular spot for sheep to graze - and presumably take in the stunning views of the Forth. However, the abandoned buildings show just how important this easily overlooked spot has been over the years.
Although the majority of the structures date back to World War Two, there’s evidence of the island being inhabited as far back as the Medieval period. A cist, or stone coffin-like box, was discovered in around 1941 but not reported to anyone until 1957 - despite people’s best efforts, it hasn’t been located again but does suggest that the island was in use by humans from anywhere between the 5th century to the 1500s.
The town of Cramond itself was a Roman outpost, so it’s likely the island would have been used by them as well - although Scotland didn’t have the same Roman presence as England, Cramond is one of the few places in the country to have any significant archeological findings.
It’s considered a likely candidate to have been Urbs Ideu, an island fortress in the 7th century where a siege took place as King Penda of Mercia and his Welsh ally Cadafael of Gwynedd invaded and were bought off by the ruler of the area, King Osweo of Northumbria. Other possibilities include Stirling and Blackness.
Most of the island’s history has been less dramatic, however - although in 1596 King James gave permission for a fatal duel to take place on Cramond, where James Carmichael was shot in revenge for killing Adam Bruntsfield’s brother in supposedly treasonous circumstances.
But from the 1790s until World War Two, the island was primarily agrarian in usage. As well as sheep, it had famous oyster beds and was probably also used as a shipping outpost for a time.
The ruins of a farmhouse and steading still stand, that date back until at least the mid-1800s and possibly earlier, and this was occupied until 1930. The farmhouse is a Category C listed building, although it has fallen into disrepair.
But it was in the 20th century that the island returned to its original purpose - as a fortress.
During the First World War, an anti-submarine net ran from Cramond Island to Inchmickery, to Inchcolm and to the Fife coast, and the northern end of the island was requisitioned by the War Department. It was returned to private ownership in 1926, but then when the Second World War broke out the entire island was brought into commission, and this is where many of the structures date from.
The dramatic stone ‘teeth’ that run along the causeway were intended to prevent U boats from slipping through and gaining access to the south side of the island during high tide.
There is also an emplacement for a 75mm gun intended to guard the gap between the island on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, along with a nearby housing for the searchlight intended to illuminate its targets for the gun.
These days, the island is mostly used by day-trippers - but having gone through so many uses in the past, who knows what it's future holds?