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The round castellated water tower at Cammo standing alone in the fields.
Edinburgh

Cammo Estate

An 18th-century estate on the western edge of Edinburgh, now a public park of fields, woods, a walled garden and a castellated water tower.

Welcome

On the far north-western edge of the city, where the houses stop and the River Almond runs down to Cramond, Cammo is an old estate gone quietly back to fields and woods.

It is a public park now, open to anyone who finds it.

Sir John Clerk of Penicuik bought it in 1710 and spent eight years laying out avenues, vistas and roundels around the house. The Watsons, who took it in 1741, called it New Saughton and turned the formal gardens into open parkland ringed with trees. Their stables of 1811 still stand, and so do a bridge with 1762 on its keystone, a canal some 140 metres long and a walled kitchen garden.

Out in the fields, alone, is the strangest thing on the estate: a round, castellated water tower, four storeys high, which began life as Cammo's windmill.

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A short drive awaySmith & GertrudeA wine and cheese bar in Stockbridge, opened in 2015 by Amy and Duncan Findlater, with more than 150 wines on its list and cheese to match.13 min by roadSee itSmith & Gertrude
Before you go

Cammo is a public park, open to walk at any time and free.

Paths run from the stables and the old house through the woods and out across the fields to the water tower.

Where
North-west Edinburgh, near Barnton and Cramond.
To see
The stables of 1811, the walled garden, the canal, the bridge of 1762 and the water tower.

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Where it is

On the north-western edge of Edinburgh, near Barnton and Cramond.

Close byCramond, the Almond and the hills of the west side.
  1. Cramond Brig reflected in the River Almond among trees.Cramond BrigA 15th-century bridge over the River Almond, tucked away out of sight.1 mile 4 min by road
  2. The timber front of the Craigies farm shop under a blue sky, with tables of pumpkins and crates of apples, cauliflowers and cabbages outside the door.Craigies Farm2 miles as the crow flies
  3. Stone tower and wooden bench framed by sunlit woodland leavesCorstorphine HillA wooded hill on the west of the city, with good routes for birds.3 miles 9 min by road
  4. Edinburgh ZooEdinburgh ZooEdinburgh Zoo, opened in 1913 on the slopes of Corstorphine Hill.3 miles 9 min by road
  5. Cramond BeachCramond BeachThe shore at Cramond, with wide views over the Firth of Forth.5 miles 14 min by road
  6. Walkers follow a causeway path between mudflats and sandy beach under grey skiesDay Trip to Cramond IslandThe tidal island off Cramond, walked out to at low water.5 miles 14 min by road
Directions
Stone-clad bar with metal stools, beer taps and chandeliers overheadCafeThe Torfin2.4 miles
The counter at Dune Bakery in South Queensferry, with croissants, pains au chocolat, twists, cruffins and focaccia sandwiches behind glass.CafeDune Bakery3.5 miles
Forth Bridge's red steel cantilevers seen through overhanging tree branches across the waterAttractionsForth Bridge3.9 miles as the crow flies
The pond in Inverleith Park with swans on the water and the Edinburgh skyline beyond the trees, under a clear blue sky.AttractionsInverleith Park3.9 miles
The bar of the Athletic Arms in Edinburgh, with tall stools at a wooden counter, a black and white tiled floor and shelves of whisky behind.BarsAthletic Arms4.0 miles
A Nepali thali at Mountain Momo: rice and dal with vegetable curries, a dumpling in sauce, pickles and salad on a steel tray.RestaurantsMountain Momo4.1 miles
Neoclassical mansion with columned entrance reflected in a curved garden pondAttractionsScottish National Gallery of Modern Art4.1 miles
Inside Herbie of Edinburgh on Raeburn Place: the cheese counter, a chalkboard of the day's recommendations, hams hanging behind and shelves of jars, oils and wine.ShoppingHerbie of Edinburgh4.1 miles
The counter at Mootz General Store on Raeburn Place, with a stack of schiacciata loaves, the sandwich board lit up on the wall and framed posters above the shelves.CafeMootz General Store4.1 miles

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Stay nearby

Places to stay near Cammo, and when each is next free.

West End Muse
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Edinburgh
  • 4 miles from Cammo
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 5 miles from Cammo
Check datesA hotel studio room with a beige fitted kitchen unit and stainless sink beside a bed dressed in white and teal cushions, a wall of black-framed pictures above a patterned headboard.Old Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • 5 miles from Cammo
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • 6 miles from Cammo
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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