The above co-ordinates take you to the ‘proper’ Car Park. Tree
cover (and nettles!) may be a problem in the summer but, generally,
stick to the main paths and the cache locations themselves should
be in relatively clear areas.
Cammo House was built in 1693 with the Estate designed and laid
out between 1711 and 1719 by Sir John Clerk of Penicuik. It is on
the Inventory of Historic and Designed Landscapes and has a
collection of mature parkland trees including, probably, the
largest and oldest ash in Edinburgh. To the North of the ruined
house there is an old grove of 5 yews together with a small
collection of exotic conifers – monkey puzzle, giant redwood,
umbrella pine, arolla pine, deodar cedar, western red cedar and
Douglas fir can all be found here.
The City of Edinburgh Council operate a Ranger service and one
of their 2 visitor centres is located here.
Part 1 The Water Tower N 55° 57.168 W 003°
19.288
On your way to Part 1 you will pass the areas’ most obvious
landmark.
This was originally a water tower which once housed a large lead
tank. A sail once adorned the top – it drove the pumps that
supplied the water to Cammo House.
Take one of the maps from the cache – you’ll need it later.
Check out The Stables at N 55° 57.341 W 003° 19.355
These once held up to 10 horses and 6 carriages, had a domed
clock tower, smithy, sheds and stores. Check out the round windows
( the arched window will be in next weeks’ episode of Play School)
– find the date ( i8ii ) when they were built.
Head up the path towards N 55° 57.263 W 003°19.600. You will
pass the large walled garden which was built in 1781/2
It is now completely overgrown but it is still possible to see
remnants of old sheds etc ( did you notice the corner fireplace –
very stylish!). Its 2.5 acres once enclosed a vinery, peach house
and conservatory. The holes in the East wall were used to house
bees. The path to the outside of the wall will take you direct to
the waypoint - if you walk through the garden go through the
doorway at the far end and turn left – you’ll avoid a low boggy
area which lies between you and your objective.
Once at the aforementioned co-ords start to head for Part 2.
You’ll notice at this point the perimeter wall backs onto Turnhouse
Golf Club and you’ll no doubt also get an excellent view of the
aircraft taking off from or landing at Edinburgh Airport.
Part 2 Cammo House N 55° 57.500 W 003°
19.558
Find the cache - take one of the sheets and all will be
revealed!
After the find head for N 55° 57.479 W 003° 19.465 and take a
walk around the ruins of Cammo House. It was once a very imposing
building - 3 storeys high, with fourteen bedrooms and accessed by a
large semicircular stone staircase at the front. Lived in until
1975 it was then bequeathed to The National Trust. The house soon
became a target for vandals and was set on fire on more than one
occasion. With insufficient funds to restore the property, the
majority of the building was then demolished. After discussions
with Edinburgh District Council the estate was gifted to the public
as the UKs first Wilderness Park.
You can still just see the carved 1693 above the main door. You
may have noticed earlier the ornamental pond / canal – check out
its tadpoles in spring but not its ice in winter!
If interested the Standing Stone, one of many in the Lothians,
it is at N 55° 57.476 W 003° 19.386 – it may have some association
with the Cat Stane that’s situated within the airports boundary.
What was the hook used for?
Armed with your new found ‘intelligence’ head to your final
destination.
Part 3 Rough Extreme N ??° ??.??? W ???°
??.???
Find the booty. Please note at some times of the year it maybe
worth collecting a stick along the way to beat down a few nettles
that 'guard' the final location!
If feeling energetic take the path heading in a Northerly
direction. Cross the minor road and continue along the side of the
River Almond to Haggis Hunters' cache Grotto Bridge (GCTTAN). If
even more adventurous, cross the bridge and turn right – you
eventually reach The Cramond Brig and then the foreshore at Cramond
itself.
Otherwise, head down across the fields towards the Visitor
Centre at N 55° 57.573 W 003° 19.125.
The building you’ll see in the distance looks a bit like a golf
clubhouse – well it was! The open area you are crossing was, in
1907, Cramond Brig Golf Club! Rough ‘in extremis’ –sack the
groundsman! The club had up to 700 members and after their lease
expired here they set up home at some other place called Dam… Dil…
oh that’s it, Dalmahoy!
Once past the Visitor Centre cross the small bridge and follow
the burn the 470m back to the Car Park
The undernoted websites will give you more information on the
area……
Cammo Estate
Ancient
Stones
Edinburgh
Biodiversity Partnership
Ancient
Lothian
River Almond
Countryside Ranger Service
