Trip to Inchcolm Island
By scotsgran
30 comments
My daughter gave us a gift of tickets to sail down the Firth of Forth to Inchcolm Island. We set off early because parking around the harbour is at a premium on a Sunday morning.You can see how busy it is. The motor cyclists who have a cafe near the harbour were having a BBQ that day. A German tour bus pulled up beside us. We booked in and then strolled down to the slipway to wait for the boat. We had worried because there had been high winds and heavy rain overnight. Black clouds threatened more of the same. The booking office staff assured us that we would have a good trip.
The supply boats for the new road bridge moor here. Several came and went as we waited. The Maid of the Forth could soon be seen coming towards us.
The boarding ramp came out and as we were first in the queue we were lucky to get front seats inside.
The boat filled up quickly and we were soon enjoying a running commentary on all we could see as we journeyed east.
As soon as he had dropped us at the island the Captain headed off to Aberdour, to pick up a boat load of pilgrims. They hold an annual service on the Island.
As the weather looked pretty threatening we decided to do our walk outside first. The route is up a steep incline on a disused rail track designed to carry shells etc to the gun emplacements at the top.
How about this for a rockery. The seagulls nest here until the end of August. It’s not really safe to walk about here until after the nesting season is over. The birds will attack intruders.
We were heading up to the highest point where there are buildings and gun emplacements.
From there we could see for miles in all directions.
David I established a priory here which became an Abbey in 1235. Just below us the Abbey could be seen in an almost aeriel view and behind that on the mainland the Braefoot Bay Gas Terminal which exports Scottish Gas from Mossmoran was clearly visible. Technology of this century watching over an historic building
Four miles up river the bridges were fast disappearing under a rain storm
Many ships use the Forth
The rain hit us very quickly and we had to retreat in to the shelter of the buildings. Because of the winds blowing through them they were relatively clean. The ship, seen below, passed quite close to the island and it was hard to see anything else because of the rain. We had our picnic as we waited for the shower to pass over.
The couple had also said there was a tunnel to explore so we set off down it wondering where it was going.
It got very dark in the middle bit. We turned a corner and could see an end in sight. We were excited and very pleased we have made the journey because the views were magnificent. We could see the Bass Rock (in the Forth) and Berwick Law, towering over the southern edge of North Berwick. Unfortunately that did not show up on my photos. 
The Island of Inchcolm is almost two islands joined in the middle by a causeway. The harbour is on the north side of the easternmost part of the island and you can then walk up past the shop and toilets over the causeway to the Abbey. Its a great place to explore. You can go up to the top of the tower but the access is a very narrow spiral staircase. OH had to go up but I did not bother.
All too soon the pilgrims arrived, our time was up. On the way round the east end of the island I saw what looked like a real suntrap but during the war it had a more sinister role.
On the way back the weather had cleared a bit. I got a photo of Edinburgh away in the distance. Arthurs Seat (an extinct volcano) is to the left and the Castle on the right. In the foreground seagulls and cormorants seem to be chasing a shoal of fish.
On the north side of the river an RNLI crew were practising and the sailing club boats at Dalgety Bay gave the area a holiday destination look.
On the south side of the Forth just east of South Queensferry lies Dalmeny Estate. It was bought in the 1660s by Sir Archibald Primrose for his son who was created 1st Earl of Rosebery in 1703. The family lived in the 12th century Barnbougle Castle seen here at the waters edge, beside the Forth, until Dalmeny House was built in 1815.
At the west end of the estate is Hound Point from where Scotlands oil is exported. Cruise Liners, too large to pass under the bridges to reach Rosyth Docks, tie up at Hound Point and the passengers are taken to shore in the Maid of the Forth.
The bridges are an amazing site when viewed from the deck of a ship. North Queensferry lies at the North end of the bridges. Before the road bridge was built we used to have to cross on a car ferry which cost us 2/6 (two shillings and sixpence) or 12.5p in new money.
The Bikers BBQ was in full swing with a live band playing when we returned. At the extreme left of the photo is The Hawes Inn from where Allan Breck was kidnapped in the novel ‘Kidnapped’ by Robert Louis Stevenson. I hope you enjoyed your trip with us
24 Sep, 2012
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Comments
Thank you. Its funny Steragram because we were talking to another older couple who had also been gifted their tickets by their daughter. The husband asked if I was a keen photographer. I said I liked taking photos but I was not too good at it and I like sharing them on Goy. I sometimes look at a photo and I don't see what is there, I see what I remember of somewhere. If you add the smells and the sounds to a photo they are much more accessible. We used to go down to Bamburgh when my hsband went down to service the coast guard station equipment. He dropped us at the beach and we had a lovely day out.
24 Sep, 2012
loved your blog.:O)
24 Sep, 2012
Very enjoyable. I love going on a boat. Wonderful scenery, and to see the two bridges :o)
24 Sep, 2012
Oh thats a marvellous gift and so pleased you shared it with us, I really enjoyed it S`gran, thankyou for all the info as well......
24 Sep, 2012
Thank you everybody. Your pleasure in sharing it with us makes it even more memorable. Hywel we love boats too. My daughters both sailed with my OH and their own families in dingys. OH did his National Service in the Merchant Navy as a radio officer. He has been to most parts of the world and we enjoy trips to Europe on the ferries. The trip to Hamburg is very nice because as ships go in and out of the harbour their National Anthem is played. Linclass thats me sharing another load of useless information as the family say. I think I was born with an insatiable curiousity about everybody and everything I come across.
25 Sep, 2012
A lovely trip! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing. :o)
25 Sep, 2012
What a super blog, Scotsgran. I love to see the Forth Bridge. We used to cross the road bridge when we had holidays in Carnoustie. The view of the bridge was great. Your photos are very good - what an interesting visit, and a lovely gift from your daughter.
25 Sep, 2012
Thanks Mariz I'm glad you enjoyed it. Mel I'm pleased to have revived some happy memories for you. My daughter is very thoughtful with gifts. We really frown on giving expensive gifts which are probably not of any benefit to the recipient, mind you the charity shops would lose out if everyone was like us. This was something which we would not have considered buying for ourselves and even on the morning of the trip my OH was still not convinced that we should go, but now he wants to do it again. There was a large party of young families, with babies in pushchairs and we did wonder what they would do when they were on the island but they had a wonderful time too. Carnoustie has a great beach and lovely golf course so I'm sure you enjoyed those holidays.
25 Sep, 2012
lovely blog ,enjoyed both pictures and commentary,particularly OH silhouette in the tunnel that trilby must be his trade mark would recognize him anywhere.
25 Sep, 2012
A lovely blog and pics,Scotgran..somewhere we have never been .So glad you enjoyed your lovely gift from your daughter :o0
25 Sep, 2012
Bjs and Bilbobagginins I can't lose him as he always wears his hat and I can spot him way off. He lost it coming down a water ride in a Fun Park in Germany. The queue was long and he got a great cheer from them when he landed and was presented with his soggy pride and joy. He lost it a few times in the Forth when he went sailing too but the rescue boat which is always on hand rescued it for him. Just as well he has a few. A Touch of Frost is his favorite programme so he is on familiar territory there. Thanks Bloomer. Its a trip I highly recommend.
25 Sep, 2012
brilliant blog :-))
OH and I must do this next year now that i've seen your photos .
We have often thought of going but never have !!
Thanks
25 Sep, 2012
How about a GOY outing Helen? I hope you have not had any flooding with all this rain.
25 Sep, 2012
I thoroughly enjoyed that Sheila. Thank you very much for sharing. I've christened the pic of your hubby....
Light at the end of the tunnel! - as has been said - very atmospheric and very professional looking.
The scenery is amazing. Such historic places right on our door steps - we are very lucky. Great view of Edinburgh too.
I was just talking about that Bikers Cafe at work last night. One of my work colleagues would have been in the crowd that day.
Thanks again for sharing.
25 Sep, 2012
You're welcome Scottish. Bikers are often portrayed as being very threatening especially en masse but on Sunday they were all thoroughly enjoying themselves and they had members directing traffic and ensuring the area was "policed". We did not see any littering or nuisances. I wondered what the German tourists were making of them but there was a lot of smiling so thats always a good sign. We are lucky in where we live and I love sharing it with others.
25 Sep, 2012
thanks scotsgran, we,ve had no flooding so far [fingers crossed ]. Hope you are the same :-)
27 Sep, 2012
Really enjoyed this little outing with you Scotsgran. I love going on boats! You were very lucky with the weather while you were on the boat. Thanks for sharing this .
27 Sep, 2012
Hi Scotsgran - I live in Edinburgh and loved this blog, history lesson included! Thanks for sharing the photos!
27 Sep, 2012
Long may it continue Helen. I'm glad your garden makeover has saved you because everybody else seems to be suffering very badly. We are too high up to worry about flooding I hope. Glad you enjoyed our trip Rose. We were very lucky. Apart from that one heavy shower we were rain free but in the distance we could see rain sheeting down. Hi Sarahm I'm glad you enjoyed it too. Living in Edinburgh you won't have too far to travel to get to the boat.
27 Sep, 2012
Fab :o)
29 Sep, 2012
Thank you TT. Conker and Truffle would have loved exploring with us. Plenty to chase and explore for four footed friends.
29 Sep, 2012
Your photos have very much caught the atmosphere ... excellent :o)
29 Sep, 2012
Thank you TT. We had a great time. All the better for having been a surprise gift from my lovely daughter. She just buys us things and then tells us about it.
29 Sep, 2012
Just had to tell you we are off for another trip in the Maid of the Forth. This time we will travel upstream on the afternoon of 17th November to view all four bridges including the Kincardine and Clackmannan Bridges and "the Bit" - thats the first part of the new Forth crossing which went in place last week. We won't be landing anywhere this time but we will enjoy a four hour trip with BBQ supper and a Jazz band. I'm treating OH as it was his 83rd birthday in October. Do pray we get good weather. There will be so much to take photos of I could do with some sun.
10 Nov, 2012
I hope you have a really lovely day, Scotsgran. And belated many happies to OH!
11 Nov, 2012
He thanks you Mel. This afternoon he was up mending the damage done to his radio ham beam in the recent high winds. Says he doesn't feel any older except for the creaky bits when it is this cold.
11 Nov, 2012
Excellent! :-)
12 Nov, 2012
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A lovely gift - glad you enjoyed the day and got some interesting photos in spite of the overcast weather. The beach at Bamburgh stays in my mind as a really beautiful place. Its grand to go for all these Goy holidays while sitting snug at home!
24 Sep, 2012