1903-1904-] Antiquities, &c., of Ct-amond District. 123 



that in 1368 the rental of the lands of Craigcrook and 

 Grotthill, and of Eavelstoun adjoining to them, was £17 Sc. : 

 computing these at 600 acres gives somewhat more than 6d. 

 per acre. 



Hay is the principal crop raised in the parish, the great 

 demand for that commodity at Edinburgh securing a constant 

 market. Wheat takes the lead of all other grain, the 

 farmers being induced to sow as great a quantity thereof 

 as possible, in order that they may be better enabled, by 

 its lucrative returns, to pay the high rent of the land in 

 this district. Potatoes form an important article of the 

 produce of the district. 



Minerals, Bridges, &c. — Freestone abounds in many places, 

 particularly along the shore at Caroline Park and in Lord Eose- 

 bery's grounds. Whinstone and moorstone or granite are found 

 in great abundance, especially at Corstorphine, Leny, Craigie 

 Hills, and Cramond Island: from the first and last mentioned 

 places stones are quarried for the floors of ovens, a purpose for 

 which they are admirably adapted. Petroleum, and ochre both 

 red and yellow, are sometimes met with in the shelving rocks 

 east of Longgreen, and at the north end of Cramond town. 

 On the lands of Marchfield is a spring of mineral water called 

 the well of Spaw, reckoned beneficial in scorbutic cases. There 

 is an evident appearance of coal in the barony of Eoyston and 

 in the adjacent lands of Wardie, large seams being perceivable 

 on the sea-shore. 



Islands. — There are in this parish two islands, one belonging 

 to Barnton (now to Dalmeny Park), called Cramond Island, 

 and the other to Granton, called Inchmickery. Cramond 

 Island lies at the distance of 1338 yards KN.E. of the village 

 of Nether Cramond, rising high in the middle, with steep cliffs 

 on the east side composed of granite. This island, containing 

 19 acres, is accessible at low water to foot-passengers, has 

 on it two houses, and formerly abounded with rabbits, now 

 almost extirpated. A fox some years ago took up his abode 

 there for some time, also a covey of partridges. The farmer 

 there once told me he thought he saw black game on it. 

 Ehind(1836) says, " Some of the plants common to the neigh- 

 bourhood spring up here." When the tide begins to turn it is 

 amazing with what rapidity it approaches. It advances with 



