Dalmeny Estate: Queensferry to Cramond Brig

Summary

This linear walk - following a section of the John Muir Way - starts in the historic town of Queensferry, taking quiet lanes and tracks through the wooded Dalmeny Estate close by the shores of the Forth. The route passes Dalmeny House and Barnbougle Castle; both ends of the route are accessible by public transport.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Tarmac lanes, good tracks and some woodland path. Most of the route is waymarked as part of the John Muir Way.

Getting there

Start

Dalmeny Station, South Queensferry.

Public Transport

Train to Dalmeny Station, South Queensferry (or bus to South Queensferry); bus stop at Cramond Brig at end of route.

Start Grid Ref

NT178755

Open in Google Maps

Walk Statistics

Distance: 10.5km / 6.5 miles
Time: 2.5 - 3 hours
Ascent: 98m (Profile)

Mapping and GPS

ROUTE MAP
View detailed map of walk

OS Paper map
Explorer 350 - Edinburgh

Get our App FREE
Full GPS mapping &
descriptions when offline

Export GPX

Export KMZ

Open on Big Map showing all our routes

ROUTE SPONSORED BY

Walk Description

User reports (3)

Stage 1

Start from the historic High Street of South Queensferry. To reach it from Dalmeny train station turn left to follow Station Road and then right onto The Loan (A907). Head down this street - you can start from the bus stop here if arriving by bus. At the bottom turn right onto High Street where there are cafes and shops. Pass the 17th century Tolbooth, and later the Hawes Inn, which featured in Robert Louis Stevenson's Kidnapped. route then passes Hawes Pier - departure point for the trips to the islands of the Forth.

Stage 2

The magnificent Forth Rail Bridge looms overhead; a true icon of Scotland, it was one of the world's greatest engineering achievements when completed in 1890. Continue under the bridge and fork left along the tarmac lane that keeps alongside the water. This has excellent views back of the red girders of the bridge.

Stage 3

Soon go through a gate at Longcraig cottage and continue along the coast, now entering the Dalmeny Estate (part of Roseberry Estates). Ignore a track to the right and keep straight ahead to bypass a cottage near the coast. The lane soon enters the woods; keep ahead at several junctions - the lane now becomes a track.

Stage 4

After rounding the (unseen unless you detour) Hound Point, the track passes Fishery Cottage, and then comes closer to the water, passing a sandy beach. Eventually the path joins a surfaced lane once more.

Stage 5

Follow this, keeping ahead to pass the entrance to Barnbougle Castle - a seventeenth century tower house. It is private so do not approach - it is best seen when looking back from further along the walk. In 1817 the castle ewas replaced by the grand Dalmeny House - seen off to the right when the lane reaches an open grassy area. Turn left here to leave the lane and follow a narrow path to the coast.

Stage 6

When the sea is reached, turn right along it - with the golf course and Dalmeny House to your right. Soon the grassy path leads across the back of a shingle beach - there are great views back to Barnbougle Castle. The path then enters woodland once more; after crossing a footbridge, keep ahead - ignoring a path off right. Go straight across at a tarmac lane.

Stage 7

Look out for a path on the left to make a very short detour to the Eagle Rock, named due to the eagle carved onto the eastern side - reputedly by Romans based at the fort at nearby Cramond. There are good views to Cramond Island from here. Return to the main path and continue to a junction. The narrow path straight ahead once led to the Cramond passenger ferry - but this closed in 2000, so instead turn right along wider path.

Stage 8

The path soon leaves the woods and becomes a track through farmland. Keep straight ahead at two junctions - with the track becoming a tarmac lane. Continue along this lane. Ignore the John Muir Way when it turns off left to cross Cramond Old Brig, and instead continue to meet the very busy A9 beside a restaurant at the modern Cramond Bridge (which is just to the left along the road). There are bus stops here either to head into Edinburgh (near side), or back to Queensferry (far side).

Route Profile

Where to stay

Report error

Let us know if you've found an error in our route, or if it needs updating.

Write walk report

Share your story and photos from this route.
£150 of Highlander Outdoor gear to win every month.

Can you help support walkhighlands?

This website and app are run by 'Walkhighlands for All' - a not-for-profit set up to serve walkers' needs.
We rely on the generosity of our users - can you help?