Images free for personal non-commercial use only © Dave Henniker |
Musselburgh-Cockenzie |
Views from the lagoons |
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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. |
