A lovely sky and sunrise. Before the
sun appeared I tried some photos of the Forth Bridge but they
weren’t very good. I tripod would have been a real help. I’d
pre-booked my rail ticket for this afternoon from Edinburgh to
Preston on the 14:18 train so there was plenty of time and no rush
to set off. I left my campsite in sunshine and headed into the shade
of the trees along the south side of the Firth of Forth. The track
was undulating but no particular problems. I came to the
grounds of the impressive Dalmeny House which was located in the
middle of and expanse of open and manicured grassy surroundings.
Sunrise
across the Forth
Sunrise
Forth Bridges at sunrise
The track was smooth tarmac but as I
left the large house behind the track deteriorated. One steep climb
was over a very bumpy surface and needed care to keep on the bike.
After Linklin Burn the track became even worse and I right turn had
to be negotiated through a sea of mud. At East Cragie I reached the
surfaced road and soon the gates to the south entrance to the
Dalmaly Estate.
Princess
Street
The busy A90 was directly in front of
me but my way was down a narrow road, which was the old road, and
over the Cramond Old Bridge. It is a scheduled monument and closed
to traffic. Bollards allow pedestrians and cycles. It was rebuilt in
1617 but originally dates back to the 15th century. The road climbs
up through Barnton and then reached the cycle route no 1 which is
along the Barnton Branch (Caledonian Railway) opened in the 1890s
and closed around 1960.
Edinburgh
It is an enjoyable ride and took me
all the way to Haymarket in Edinburgh. I followed the cities
impressive streets to Princess Street Gardens where the sun was
shining and tourists enjoying themselves. My 14:18 Trans Pennine
Express train left on time and I had an enjoyable ride back to
Preston. It was about 10mins late and I couldn’t see any reason why.
I cycled down Fishergate and in to Avenham Park where I followed the
cycle track along the old tram route to Bamber Bridge then the A6
and home.
Return to
Whittle Wanderer
