Carriden 3 - The Crookies & Burnfoot
The well maintained shore path along this stretch of the Forth is part of the The John Muir Way. It heads towards a nice stretch of beach known locally by some as 'The Crookies' (I wasn't able to find the origin of this name anywhere), with nice views to the Forth Bridges and across to Fife.
Also located slightly inland from the Crookies is a steep incut to the hillface, rising sharply from a small area of flatland, probably carved out by one of several streams The steep rise is named 'Cat Craig' and sitting beneath it is the ruins of Burnfoot House, which is viewable from the path in the colder months when the weeds and jaggies die back. Although the house is in a ruinous state, most of the north wall and parts of the east and west gables survive. An early 20th century photograph shows it as being a white harled two storey house with a slate roof. There is evidence of a substantial wing to the west of the main block, the remains of various outbuildings, and the sites of former fishponds.
The Shipbreaker's Bench At The Crookies
The house is notable as the birthplace of the noted military figure of Colonel James Gardiner (1688-1745). Gardiner joined the army at the age of fourteen and rose through the ranks because of his valantry during various battles for the British Army. A devout man, his story is well documented as the personification of the Christian soldier of the era. He features as a character in Walter Scott's novel, Waverley.
During the Jacobite Uprising, Gardner found himself leading British forces against the rebellious Scots. At The Battle of Prestonpans he was mortally wounded by the Highlanders after his dragoons had fled the field and he was attempting to rally some foot soldiers. He received a mortal blow whilst wounded on the ground and was stripped to the waist as his possessions were looted by the Highlanders. After the battle Gardiner was carried from the field by a servant to nearby Tranent where he soon died.
He is commemorated with a monument in Prestonpans, but also here in Carriden in the graveyard of Carriden Church, plus a monument to him has been built into the walls of the estate buildings near here (see Cache 1 in this series).