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The lagoons have created new land from the sea using ash
from nearby Cockenzie Power Station. There is a bird sanctuary (possibly
threatened by a golf course) and lakes / ponds as well as interesting
views. |
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The sign indicates the John Muir Way: 2 miles to Fisherrow Harbour,
2¼
miles to Prestonpans and a third of a mile to Levenhall Links. The pyramid-like
feature in the distance is North Berwick Law; the chimneys belong to
Cockenzie Power Station. |
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The perimeter road follows the sea wall along the southern shore of
the Firth of Forth, gradually curving south to meet the mouth of the
River Esk. This wide angle shot shows the gritty texture of the road.
The crystals are not frost, but dissolved salt(s) precipitating out.
Arthur's Seat is visible in the distance. |
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Further west, getting nearer to the mouth of the Esk. Arthur's Seat
and Calton Hill can be seen across the bay behind Portobello Beach. |
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The lower slopes of Whinny Hill (part of Arthur's Seat) are on the
left. Calton Hill is on the right with the Nelson Monument and the pillars
of the National Monument silhouetted against the sky. Calton Hill is
8.5Km away. |
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The telephoto lens has been panned to the left in this shot. The beach
on the west bank of the Esk is only a few hundred metres away whereas
Caerketton Hill (behind the artificial ski slope) is 14Km distant. |
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The sand in the foreground is part of a sort of delta, visible only
at low tide. Portobello Beach is just across the bay. The ancient man-made
terraces and more recent footpaths can be seen on the slopes of Arthur's
Seat. |
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This and the following 7 photos were taken on 3rd February 2007. Here
we see a close-up look at the ash from Cockenzie Power Station, used
to create then fill in the lagoons. |
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Looking back westwards, past the lagoons to the city of Edinburgh.
On the horizon are the Pentland Hills and Arthur's Seat with their distinctive
outline. This is part of the John
Muir Way a coastal walk named after the great conservationist. |
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Smooth, rounded, grassy hills remind me of The Teletubbies and that
horrible default wallpaper picture in Windows XP. The power station chimneys
loom overhead, whilst red kites (not the feathered variety) zigzag to
and fro. |
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On rounding the artificial hill it becomes apparent that the kites
are being flown by grass surfers on boards, like skateboards with large
wheels. |
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A closer look at two of the grass surfer guys. |
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The last stretch of footpath approaching the power station. On the
left you can see the open gate which features in the next picture. |
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Beyond these open but nonetheless forbidding-looking gates is a pier,
perhaps used for importing coal from overseas. |
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At the landward end of the pier the entrance is closed and festooned
with razorwire to deter intruders. |
