Stunning footage found online shows two of Edinburgh's abandoned coastal defence islands that have lain empty since the Second World War.
The video begins with two friends as they explore the islands of Cramond and Inchmickery, before moving on to some incredible drone footage taken on a sunny day in the Forth. While the islands are known for their use during the war, it's thought they may have served a purpose as far back as prehistoric times.
The host, Christina Macey, tells us: “Today we’re going to visit Cramond Island, it’s a very interesting little place just north-west of Edinburgh. There’s a lot of wartime buildings there, that would’ve been to look out and protect Edinburgh from any ships and submarines from attacking us.”
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While evidence suggests Cramond’s history may stretch back to prehistoric times, both islands became significant as the country prepared for war in 1939. During the First World War, the islands had been connected by an anti-submarine net which ran across the Firth of Forth.
Building on their potential for the Second World War, the islands were armed with naval guns and the anti-submarine net reinstated. Also added was an anti-boat boom, which aimed to protect ships in the anchorage from attack by torpedo boats.
On the island of Cramond, several buildings which were constructed for the war remain standing - including stores, shelters, and gun emplacements, as well as two engine rooms. The smaller Inchmickery was used as a gun emplacement, but you could be mistaken for assuming the concrete structures were a small prison.
Inchmickery gained more attention in 1993, when Iain Banks novel Complicity concluded its story on the island. Now a RSPB nature reserve, many of the fortifications from both world wars remain.
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The island is uninhabited and access is restricted in order to preserve the bird population’s interests, although can be viewed on several ferry rides around the Forth. Breeding on the island are common eider, Sandwich terns, and various gulls.
Stretching back several centuries, the island of Cramond is thought to have a rich history of importance in Roman times and the 16th century. As for prehistoric peoples, it is suggested Cramond may have been used as a burial site.
While the Roman presence in Scotland was minimal, Cramond has been noted as a likely site for Urbs ludeu, a medieval stronghold where the King of Northumbria was besieged in 655 AD. Centuries later, King James VI allowed two men to battle it out on Cramond after one killed the other's brother.
A judge was sent to the island to judge the battle, where one man was ultimately killed. Royal besieging and revenge brawls aside, Cramond entered a much calmer era of farming in the late 18th century.
The British Wool Society grazed sheep on the island, and perhaps served as a fishing outpost as well. Farming ended on the island in 1904 when the last surviving farmer, Peter Hogg, passed away.
Cramond and Inchmickery are two of the 11 islands on the Forth - with others including Bass Rock, Craigleith, Eyebroughy, Fidra, Inchcolm, Inchgarvie, Inchkeith, Lamb and the Isle of May.
