Dalmeny Dander Traditional Cache

This cache lies on the outer edge of Dalmeny estate, and along the shore of the Firth of Forth. I recommend passing through the white gate into the estate once you have found the cache and taking a stroll along The Shore Walk, which is open all year round. Please note that bicycles are not allowed along the Shore Walk within the estate. Dalmeny house is only open to visitors on certain days of the week during July and August.

Dalmeny Estate is owned by the Earl of Roseberry, although thefamily name is Primrose. The family can trace its roots back to Henry Primrose, born in 1490. Later family members fought on the Royalist side in the Civil war and consequently lost their estates. However a knighthood was earned upon the Restoration, and the present estate was purchased. The Roseberry estates now comprise a number of small estates in West Lothian and Midlothian.

The 4½ mile Shore Walk runs between South Queensferry and Cramond. While I placed the cache, I watched trains rumble over the rail bridge and tankers sail past in the Forth. Parking is available near the Hawes Inn, which celebrates its connections with Robert Louis Stevenson and his book Kidnapped. During the summer there are boat trips to Inchcolm Island starting from the Pier opposite the Inn. The first building on the left along the shore was a World War I gun emplacement, becoming a tearoom and finally an office. The cache is placed near Longcraig pier, one of the piers used as a ferry crossing in times past. Seals can sometimes be seen basking on the pier.

Through the white gate, you enter Dalmeny Estate. The Hound Point Terminal can be seen out in the Forth, where oil tankers from all parts of the world stop to load up with oil from the North Sea which has been refined at Grangemouth, then stored at Dalmeny Tank Farm, near Dalmeny Village. Further along the shore path you will reach Hound Point headland, whcih according to folklore, is haunted by a dog owned by Sir Richard Mowbray who died in the Crusades.

From Hound Point the walk continues past Fishery Cottage, so-called because of the salmon netting done there until the 1950s. Further on is Barnbougle Castle which is on the site of a medieval tower house. The 5th Earl of Roseberry, who was Prime Minister, practised speeches in a gallery hall built for that purpose. Unfortunately the castle is not open to the public.

Crossing Dalmeny golf course, there are good views of Dalmeny House which was built in 1817. A rare type of artificial stone called Coadestone was used in the finials and panels on the façade. The house was damaged by fire during WWII.

At the end of the golf course the path crosses a bridge over the Cockle Burn and into woodland. Not far beyond are Longgreen Cottages which used to be occupied by estate staff. The footpath continues through woodland until Snab Point is reached where there are great views along the coast to Barnbougle Castle and across the Forth.

Further along the shoreline is Eagle Rock which is thought to have the eagle of a Roman Legion carved into it. Coble Cottage is at the mouth of the River Almond, and may be named after the type of boat used by the ferryman who operated a ferry between Dalmeny Estate and Cramond (it's not now in operation).