There’s no avoiding that the area near and around the Edinburgh CMC site is unappealing and littered with the detritus of communities who either cannot be bothered, or who do not have the mind-set, to dispose of their waste in a responsible fashion.
The imposing building opposite the site is a refuge for placeless people. The neglected, dilapidated Almond House Lodge, just a short distance west, overlooking the estuary, which I imagine must once have been an expensive hotel, is now a home for those from overseas who seek a better life. Both are owned by the same wealthy person, though whether through altruism or the desire for profit is unclear. I see no case for vilifying either group of peoples occupying these places, but there is no escaping the certain fact that the impact it has on the area is far from positive.
I neither saw nor heard any evidence of a direct bearing on the site, as some have hinted - the inevitable question being whether desperate people might take desperate measures. I felt perfectly safe and relaxed here, despite the stereotypes, and I am sure you will too.
I met a volunteer collector of waste outside the site. A young man, proud of his community, who had filled his Ford Transit Custom to the gunnels with, inter alia, two fridges, a microwave, wooden pallets and dozens of black bags mostly containing beer cans. By the side of the road another pile of black bags and various other discarded, and unlikely, items awaited collection later. Great that he does this, but tragic that he has to, and symptomatic of the general sense of decline. Indeed, Edinburgh struck me as in decay generally; vanity projects like more trams, but roads in the most awful dilapidated condition. Be prepared for a rough ride!
The site itself was pleasant enough, and nicely laid out in my view. I used the toilet block only once, relying on my own facilities, but I found this to be perfectly fine. The cycle lockers were useful.
Lothian buses to the City can be reached in less than half a mile by using the path running outside the eastern boundary of the site. There are lovely walks along the front, especially westwards to Cramond and then along the River Almond.
The planes heading into Edinburgh airport were not even remotely an issue for me; but just as my stay at a site can be spoiled by noisy neighbours, engaging in al-fresco get-togethers, so I understand that others may have their stay tainted by distant jet-engines.
The site is almost on the bank of the Firth of Forth, but shielded from it by woodland. I could not help thinking that the site could have the most tremendous outlook, be lifted out of its grubby surroundings, and take on a whole new aura, were it not for the trees. It would also reduce the scope for those who find woodland a convenient place to leave their garbage and behave anti-socially. But it is what it is and destroying trees for such a purpose is not very acceptable – even if it were within our gift.
