Cramond Beach and Foreshore

Cramond Beach and Foreshore lies at the mouth of the River Almond in Cramond, north-west Edinburgh, Scotland, about five miles (8 km) from the city centre. Unlike a classic resort beach, this is a tidal foreshore of sand and mud, with a pebbly and seaweed-strewn edge, where the river meets the Firth of Forth. The water is brownish and silty near the river mouth and grey-blue further out. Swimming is not recommended: currents are strong where the Almond meets the Forth and the tide moves quickly over the flats. The setting is open and exposed to the estuary rather than a sheltered cove, and the character is quiet, scenic and walking-oriented rather than a bathing beach. The foreshore is best known for the tidal causeway to Cramond Island, which is walkable only at low tide. The causeway is dangerous once the tide covers it, so visitors should follow the tide board at the causeway start and the RNLI advice displayed there. Alongside the beach, a riverside walk leads upstream along the Almond, and the village contains Roman fort remains, a boat club, a cafe and ice cream outlet and public toilets in the village area. There are no lifeguards. Seals and wading birds are regularly watched on the flats, making the foreshore popular with bird watchers and photographers, particularly at low tide and around sunset. Access is straightforward: Lothian Buses service 41 runs to Cramond, with a single fare around £2.20 and a day ticket about £5, and a pay-and-display car park serves the foreshore, though it fills on sunny weekends. The paths near the water are generally level. The area is free and open at all hours, but visitors should check tide times before any walk onto the flats or the island.