Update - 18th April 2024
The missing marker pole at the west end of the river bar (channel marker no. 9 on the chart below) has now been replaced. There is currently no depth gauge on the pole, but a new one will be added in due course. In the meantime, there is a white band on the pole which indicates a depth of between 3ft and 4ft at the bar. If you can see all of this white band, there may not be enough water to cross the bar (depending on your draft).
Channel marker 6 is still missing, and will be replaced by a green buoy in due course.
Any vessels entering or leaving Cramond should take great care, particularly when crossing the bar.
Cramond Island and approach to Cramond
Cramond Island lies about three-quarters of a mile NNE of Cramond and is connected to the mainland at low water by a raised breakwater, causeway and concrete piles which show approximately 1 metre at HW. The distance from Ferry Cottage to Seal Rock at the north end of the island is one nautical mile.
To permit the passage of vessels through the concrete piles, there is a gap marked by a white-painted arrow and a tide gauge. The depth of water here is about the same as the river bar. Vessels should not attempt to pass through any other gaps.
Depending on wind direction, good anchorages can be obtained on the west side of the island in Duckhouse Bay or in the bay to the south of Middle Point. Both these bays dry at low water but at high tide have sandy beaches ideal for picnicking. An alternative anchorage may be found on the east side inside the Partin Rock, which dries 1.1m.
Channel Markers
Sand and mud banks dry out for a mile offshore from Cramond, split by a deep water channel scoured by the river Almond. Keelboats should keep to the deep channel when entering or leaving Cramond. The west bank of the channel is marked by green buoys and poles which should be left 3 metres to starboard on the way in.
The photo chart is an approximate guide to buoy and pole positions. The GPS coordinates for the channel markers are:
| Nav 1 | 55 59.629N 003 17.701W | Green Buoy 1 |
| Nav 2 | 55 59.553N 003 17.823W | Green Buoy 2 |
| Nav 3 | 55 59.490N 003 17.946W | Green Buoy 3 |
| Nav 4 | 55 59.389N 003 18.000W | Green Buoy 4 |
| Nav 5 | 55 59.225N 003 18.123W | Green Buoy 5 |
| Nav 6 | 55 59.106N 003 18.003W | Pole 6 |
| Nav 7 | 55 59.027N 003 17.975W | Green Buoy 7 |
| Nav 8 | 55 58.982N 003 17.990W | Green Buoy 8 |
| Nav 9 | 55 58.853N 003 18.075W | Pole 9 at Bar |
The tide gauge on the pole at the river bar indicates the depth of water over the bar. There is a deep gap in the bar immediately to the east of the bar pole which should be used if possible.
Craft leaving the river have right of way.
The Club will not be held responsible for absence or alteration of the channel marks which are intended as aids to pilotage only.