Dates for 2011-2012
We have a very interesting programme of talks for this session and you are warmly invited to come. They are mainly of local interest and some are about Scottish events or treasures. All meetings are held at 7.30 in Cramond Kirk Hall and tea and coffee is served afterwards. Do come and enjoy the entertaining and stimulating talks!
| Open meetings |
Monday 26 September 2011: The River Almond, by Fen Howieson, Cramond Angling Club |
Monday 24 October 2011: Whatever happened to the Jammie? The story of the Mackays, Marmalades and Preserves, by Paul Grant |
Monday 21 November 2011: The Scottish Screen Archive – a treasure trove of old and rare films, by Ruth Washbrook, from the Scottish Screen Archive, National Library of Scotland |
Wednesday 14 December 2011: Carols by Candlelight in Cramond Kirk Hall. Start your Christmas festivities by joining in the carol singing and enjoying the free mulled wine and mince pies |
Monday 23 January 2012: Your antiques – learn more about them, by Sybille Thomson, who will talk about antiques in general and will also comment on articles you bring to the meeting (but not value them) |
Monday 20 February 2012: Keeping cashmere goats and lamas and spinning from their natural fibres, by Doreen Marsh, from the Guild of Spinners, Weavers and Dyers |
Monday 26 March 2012: AGM followed by free refreshmentsand a talk on Edwardian Etiquette - manners maketh man (and woman), by Helen Edwards, Museum of Edinburgh |
Monday 23 April 2012: See how artists have captured the spirit of our unique city, Edinburgh, by David Patterson, Curator of Fine Art, based at the City Art Centre |
News and Events
Roman Fort Excavations
 |
Visitors at the Roman Fort dig |
The City Council's Archaeologist has recently completed a successful community-based archaeological excavation at Cramond's Roman fort. This was initially an attempt to uncover a third occupation phase and provisional findings have confirmed that there was another fort based at the site, prior to the two Roman occupations already known. Whether this is Roman or not has yet to be confirmed.
Items of interest found during the six-week-long dig have included: two Roman daggers, a bronze cup, a couple of early Antonine coins, various other metalwork including metal work from leather Roman armour and barrel-loads of pottery.
A selection of the items found is on display at the Maltings in Cramond village, courtesy of Cramond Heritage Trust. This part of the site will be landscaped to enable visitors to see the remains of the Roman Fort. The paths will be reinstated and expanded to enable wheelchair access to the site. At the moment they are temporarily covered to protect them until consolidation work can be carried out in the spring of 2009, prior to the final landscaping. All funds are in place to enable this final phase of the project to be completed.
Large quantities of human bone fragments were also discovered in the area between the Kirk Hall and the east wall of the kirkyard. This implies that Cramond Kirk’s graveyard had been much larger during medieval times. Beneath these fragments were what appeared to be more complete skeletons resting above the Roman level, although excavation was stopped at this point to avoid disturbance of the burials. This part of the site has now been backfilled and will be properly landscaped once the ground has settled.
The Corner Project
A four-year campaign to raise £75,000 for a new play park has now paid off for a youth group in Cramond, Edinburgh. The Corner Project was set up by Cramond’s Sunday Plus Youth Group in 2004 as a direct response to the area’s lack of facilities for young people. Thanks to their fundraising efforts, and with a little help from Cramond Heritage Trust, Edinburgh’s newest play park is now open!
The park has been created in the walled garden, behind Cramond Kirk Hall, and follows extensive consultation with young people from the local area and City of Edinburgh Council. Attractions include a wide selection of the latest in cutting-edge play equipment.
Revd Dr Russell Barr of Cramond Kirk said: “From the very happy sound of children laughing and playing that comes across to the Manse from the walled garden, I know that the park has long been a favourite place for Cramond families. The new facilities have greatly enhanced the attraction and it is very encouraging to see that it is often very busy. Sunday Plus has provided a wonderful facility and is to be congratulated on their tremendous achievement.”
Kate Mackenzie, Local Councillor, City of Edinburgh Council, added: “I am delighted that the Corner Project is now a reality and I know that the young people will enjoy their new play park. An important part of working towards such a goal is the satisfaction for young people in undertaking such a project and raising funds and negotiating with others to make it happen. Well done to all involved.”
Organiser Kirsty Gillies from The Corner Project, said: “It is very exciting to see that the youth group’s hard work has resulted in a designated area for the young people of Cramond and the surrounding area.“
Cammo Grazing
Areas of grassland on Cammo Estate have in the past been let out for cattle grazing. Over the last five to 10 years, this has not taken place and has resulted in poor quality of grass. The Countryside Ranger Service aims are to re-introduce grazing to the Estate to enhance biodiversity, to use sustainable methods of managing the site and, to ensure efficiency in how we manage our sites.
The Cramond Association welcome the proposals as being very positive for Cammo and those who use the estate. It's an added feature to look at when out walking the dog and an educational bonus in terms of biodiversity and quality in the grazed areas. It’s also very cost effective in the longer term and will benefit the Council hugely especially at a time when resources are stretched. The animals will only be there for a short period of the year so for those who do see it as an inconvenience they will only have to put up with it for a relatively short amount of time.
If you would like any further information, please drop into the Visitor Centre at the Cammo Estate where there is a small exhibition on display.
River Almond Crossing Update
An organisation called JMP Consulting was contracted by South East of Scotland Transport Partnership (SEStran) to examine the feasibility of replacing the ferry with a bridge. Their report suggested installing a bridge at a site just above the Cramond Boat Club’s dingy park. Apart from the fact that the landing point on the Dalmeny Estate riverbank would provide such a steep access to the estate that it would be impossible to negotiate with a wheelchair, the estate raised objections to the 24 hour access that this would provide.
The local community has been examining the possibility of replacing the old ferry with a modern alternative which would comply with the requirements of the Disability Discrimination Act, a necessary process to enable access to potential grant funding for the project.
A design for a chain ferry with access via a hydraulically operated lift has been proposed. This has the provisional approval of most of the interested parties, including Dalmeny Estate. Further consultation and design refinement is currently underway.
The former Cramond Ferry and the ferry steps at Cramond (Colin J. Smith)
The ferry landings and Coble Cottage in the early 20th century (from a postcard by JR Russell)
Ferry Map
Visual of the east bank installation showing the chain ferry, the landing pontoon and the lift platform. (by John Carson, Covell Matthews Architects and Quattro Consult March 2010)
Proposed Hours of Operation
TABLE 8.1 |
||||||
|
J |
F |
M |
A |
M |
J |
Operating Hours per day |
6 |
6 |
8 |
8 |
10 |
10 |
Operating days per week |
2.0 |
2.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
Operating hours per week |
12.0 |
12.0 |
56.0 |
56.0 |
70.0 |
70.0 |
Operating days per month |
8 |
8 |
31 |
30 |
31 |
30 |
Operating hours per month |
48 |
48 |
248 |
240 |
310 |
300 |
|
J |
A |
S |
O |
N |
D |
Operating Hours per day |
10 |
10 |
8 |
8 |
6 |
6 |
Operating days per week |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
7.0 |
2.0 |
2.0 |
Operating hours per week |
70.0 |
70.0 |
56.0 |
56.0 |
12.0 |
12.0 |
Operating days per month |
31 |
31 |
30 |
31 |
8 |
8 |
Operating hours per month |
310 |
310 |
240 |
248 |
48 |
48 |
Total Operating days per year |
277 |
|||||
Total Operating hours per year |
2,398 |
|||||
Download the Cramond Ferry Feasibility Study and Business Plan Executive Summary