Images free for personal non-commercial use only © Dave Henniker |
Edinburgh North West page 8 |
Granton - Cramond Island |
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An advertising hoarding shows a French
car approaching a puddle beside which is a small dog on a lead. The slogan
states "it's a test of character". WTF? is my response. Bizarrely, the
hoarding is next to a real puddle some of which has already been splashed
onto the hoarding. |
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Nearby is this reminder that great things are afoot hereabouts. Behind the chain link fence is "The Road To Something Special....". | |
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Moving a few yards to the left reveals this scene. The 'Something Special' referred to by the notice probably alludes to future delights, rather than the old gasworks which, sadly, are but a shadow of their former glory. | |
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This edit is intended for use as widescreen wallpaper, being 1680 pixels wide by 1050 high - like most 20 inch LCD monitors in 2008. Landmarks visible are the triangular shaped North Berwick Law, the new development at Leith's Western Harbour, and all that remains of Granton Gasworks. | |
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In years past there was no real path out to Cramond Island but there was a pipe which served as one. Now it's easy for families to take a stroll out there at low tide. Take care to return before the rising tide traps you! | |
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On the shore is Silverknowes Esplanade. Just beyond is Marine Drive and to the right, tree covered Corstorphine Hill. In the distance are the Pentland Hills, the most prominent of which is Caerketton. | |
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A long lens shot of Leith's Western Harbour with East Lothian in the background. The distant hills are north of Haddington. | |
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Another long lens shot, this time looking back at the empty shell which is all that remains of the gasworks. This too, may disappear soon. | |
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Families climb the short path up the small hill on the island. | |
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A long lens view of Barnbougle Castle on the shore between Cramond and South Queensferry. | |
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Looking across the Firth of Forth northwestwards to the commuter town of Dalgety Bay. | |
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Another possible wallpaper candidate for a widescreen monitor. If you'd prefer an edit at 1280 x 854 then click here. | |
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West Kip is the pointed hill on the west horizon, part of the Pentland Hills. In the foreground is the rocky promontory at the south side of Cramond Island. | |
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The telephoto lens picks out detail on both bridges. The white parts of the rail bridge are where it's getting its current paint job. The sandbanks in the foreground provide feeding for birds at low tide. | |
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Looking over bushes on Cramond Island's eastern shore to Edinburgh. To the right of Granton Gasworks is the unmistakeable outline of Salisbury Crags and Arthur's Seat. Just visible on the extreme right is St Giles Cathedral on the Royal Mile. | |
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This long lens shot shows Chancelot Flour Mill on the left and two blocks of flats on the right, namely Persevere Court and Citadel Court. | |
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Looking north across the Firth of Forth towards the town of Burntisland. The small island of Inchmickery is on the left of the picture. Inchkeith island is larger and is on the right, roughly midway between Leith and Kinghorn on the coast of Fife. | |
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Man's artefacts soon succumb to nature when immersed in sea water twice daily. The barnacles may actually slow down the rusting process. | |
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Stepping back a pace reveals the front of one of two concrete objects on the beach and more barnacle encrusted metal work. The heavy chain disappears under the sand. | |
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Looking north towards Fife. The concrete blocks can be seen resting on the beach, their purpose unclear. | |
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Some of these spiky objects which form this distinctive line (like crocodile's teeth) across the seascape have been eroded away by the waves and have toppled over. | |
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In this second shot I exploited the 'accidental art' and framed the gasworks in the middle. | |
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In the last picture in this sequence a plane flies overhead descending to Edinburgh Airport. Up on the causeway, someone is getting their picture taken. Cramond village is only a short distance away back on the mainland. |
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