Walk of the week: River Almond, Cramond

THE RIVER Almond flows into the Firth of Forth on the edge of Edinburgh at Cramond. Here, an old-world charm has been retained with boats bobbing at their moorings and whitewashed houses on the quayside.

River Almond, Cramond. Picture: Nick Drainey

Farther along, small waterfalls and weirs bring the river to life as the banks – currently covered with ramsons and bluebells – deliver a splash of colour.

Although you pass below the busy A90 and are on the periphery of Scotland’s capital, the feeling of being in the countryside is, rightly, present throughout this walk, which makes for a perfect Sunday afternoon stroll.

DISTANCE 4 miles.

HEIGHT CLIMBED 150ft.

TIME 2 to 2 hours.

MAP OS Landranger 65 or 66.

PARK There is a free car park near the foreshore in Cramond. Turn off Whitehouse Road, following a sign for “Cramond Village and Kirk”, down Cramond Glebe Road and turn right near the bottom of the hill.

IN SUMMARY Drop down to the foreshore from the car park and turn left to walk along a wide esplanade with Cramond Island to your right. The esplanade bends left at the mouth of the River Almond and passes moored boats next to the village.

Heading upstream, a path begins after Cramond Boat Club, following the River Almond Walkway. After a few hundred yards go right at the Cramond Falls Cafe to stay close to the water. The path then runs along a minor road and to the end of a small car park from where you continue towards a ruined building with a weir beyond it.

Ascend a wide flight of steps, and continue upstream until you reach a long, steep set of steps which lead to a path running high above the river. More steps lead down to the riverbank and after this the route follows a minor road when it reaches some houses. At the end of the road, go right to reach Cramond Old Brig, but don’t cross it. Instead, go left about 20 yards before the bridge, following a sign for the River Almond Walkway, along a path. Keep right at two junctions and just before the A90 go right, down steps, to pass below the busy road.

A path continues upstream, rising high above the water before descending to a small bridge over a little burn. Go left after this, up steps, to reach a path which goes left and narrows as it passes between gardens and houses to reach a minor road. Go right and follow the road up to the last house on the right – 52, Woodley. Go right after this, though a wooden kissing gate, and follow a path down through woodland to reach a stone bridge across the River Almond.

Go right on the other side of the bridge and follow a riverside path all the way back under the A90 to reach a small car park behind the Miller & Carter Steakhouse (which used to be The Brig pub).

Go right at the car park entrance to cross the Cramond Old Brig and turn left on the other side to retrace your steps to the start.

REFRESH There is a bistro/cafe passed at the start of the walk in Cramond Village. The Cramond Falls Cafe is also passed farther along. And, the Miller & Carter Steakhouse is reached towards the end of the walk.

WHILE YOU ARE IN THE AREA The centre of Edinburgh, with its many attractions, is six miles down the road. n