The Roman Fort at Cramond, Edinburgh Excavations 1954-1966

Cramond (probably caer Amon , (‘the fort of the Almond’) is a fishing village recently absorbed into the north-west corner of the City of Edinburgh. It lies on the east bank of the River Almond, at the river's entry into the Firth of Forth through a gorge of sandstone rock: a narrow shelf along the east bank provides quay space for a tidal harbour, whose exit is protected from north and east by Cramond Island. The parish church (from 15th century), sometime schoolhouse (18th century) and manse (18th century) overlie the principia and part of the retentura of a Roman fort. A tower (15th century) and mansion house (17th and 18th centuries) stand near. All of these incorporate Roman stones. Medieval Cramond Episcopi once overlay the praetentura ; but the cottages, and Roman remains under them, have been cleared by the lords of the manor to make a park.