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Cramond Roman Fort and Civil Settlement

Cramond · 12 miles

Evidence of Roman activity survives at the mouth of the River Almond where it joins the Forth, close to the village of Cramond in Edinburgh. The archaeological site, dating from around AD 140, comprises the remains of a fort and an adjoining civilian settlement that together illustrate the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. Visible outlines of the headquarters, granaries and a workshop are marked on the open parkland, with information panels explaining the layout and the discoveries made over the past five decades. Among the artefacts displayed nearby are a stone altar dedicated to the Matres Alatervae, a centurial stone of Legio II Augusta, an altar to Jupiter Optimus Maximus, and a silver sword pendant indicating the presence of a senior officer. The most celebrated find, the Cramond Lioness—a white-sandstone sculpture of a lioness devouring a male figure—was recovered from the river in 1997. The fort was initially occupied from about AD 140 until roughly AD 170, when Roman forces withdrew to Hadrian’s Wall, and it was later enlarged during the Severan campaign of AD 208-214. Subsequent evidence suggests continued native use into the fifth century and earlier Mesolithic activity on the same ground. Although parts of the complex lie beneath later village buildings and are revealed only during development work, the outlined sections remain accessible to the public. No permanent visitor centre or museum has yet opened, but plans announced since 2000 envision a facility to exhibit the collected artefacts, including the Lioness. Access is via the Cramond village area; no admission fee or specific opening times are recorded for the open-air remains.

St Stephen's Church

Silvermills · 12 miles

A striking Baroque-Grecian structure dominates the vista from the lower end of St Vincent Street, its 162-ft tower housing Europe’s longest clock pendulum at 60 ft, installed in 1828 by James Ritchie & Son. The building sits on the corner of Saint Stephen Street and Saint Vincent Street in Edinburgh’s Northern New Town, nearest the Silvermills area, and was erected between 1827 and 1828 to a design by William Henry Playfair. Its square plan, with cut-off north and south corners, follows the oblique line of Saint Stephen Street, while the interior originally featured vaulted cellars that the first minister, William Muir, used for an evening school for the illiterate. The interior was reconfigured in 1956 after a decline in the congregation, creating a gallery level accessed from St Vincent Street and a series of halls below, including a main hall with a fully fitted stage that has hosted Festival Fringe productions. After a brief ownership by the Benzies Foundation, the property was purchased in 2017 by ballet dancer Peter Schaufuss, who renamed the principal space Ashton Hall. The venue now serves as a theatre and event space, home to the Edinburgh Festival Ballet, its school, and the MGA Academy, and continues to host performances during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Operated by the Benzies Foundation, the site offers a mixture of cultural and community activities, with its historic organ by Willis retained on the gallery level. Access is via the surrounding streets, and the building’s prominent tower remains a visible landmark in the neighbourhood.

Queen Victoria

Leith · 11 miles

Balfarg Henge

Gateside · 5.6 miles

20m wide henge with only two stones left

Balbirnie stone circle (original site)

Gateside · 5.6 miles

Moved in 1970s to SE during road widening

Balfarg Riding School enclosure

Gateside · 5.6 miles

A reconstructed site interpreted as a mortuary enclosure on the site of Balfarg Riding School.