Inchgarvie Island
Inchgarvie is a small, uninhabited island in the Firth of Forth. On the rocks around the island sit four caissons that make up the foundations of the Forth Bridge. Inchgarvie's fortifications pre-date the modern period. In the days when boats were the only way to cross the Firth of Forth, the island was on the main route between North Queensferry in Fife and South Queensferry in Lothian. This made it strategically important. Although now uninhabited, Inchgarvie has been inhabited throughout various periods of history. The first recorded time was in the late 15th century. Like nearby Inchmickery, its profile and colour makes it look like a small warship from a distance. It was armed with coast defence guns from 1901 until 1906, and again from 1908 until the 1930s. More detailed history of the fascinating island here.
This one really was a lot of fun. I'd been looking at these islands since 2018 absolutely fascinated by them and had tried year in/year out to arrange a trip. Either by paying off a boat owner, hiring canoes, or a tour, I really wanted to see these islands. Therefore, when four years onward, the opportunity came up, I snatched at it. Despite the island itself, Inchgarvie, not being incredible in terms of what's on it, it's location, history and in our case, challenge, made it well worth the effort. We tag teamed with Hell on Earth, who are probably more anti-YouTube hierarchy than us, and some of the most genuine people I've come across from here. With two inflatables, one motor and a little bit of climbing rope, the plan was set for them to tow us to the island in October. It was a whole ordeal, and we put pretty much all of it in the video below, so rather than me typing out an essay's worth here, I'll leave the video linked at the bottom.
Here are some snaps anyhow, some I've shamelessly stolen from @jtza because they're better than mine and they'll sit on his dusty 2002 Dell untouched until it decays.
@jtza lookin bad asl
Boarding Inchgarvie on it's slippy terrain.
The last inhabitant of the island surveying the sea.
Down the camouflaged staircase into chambers that were built into the rock.
Wooden pier outstretching into the water.
Opposite side to where we started. All that resided here was the ruins of Inchgarvie Castle and old equipment for outdated Forth Bridge lighting.
Thanks for reading
Inchgarvie is a small, uninhabited island in the Firth of Forth. On the rocks around the island sit four caissons that make up the foundations of the Forth Bridge. Inchgarvie's fortifications pre-date the modern period. In the days when boats were the only way to cross the Firth of Forth, the island was on the main route between North Queensferry in Fife and South Queensferry in Lothian. This made it strategically important. Although now uninhabited, Inchgarvie has been inhabited throughout various periods of history. The first recorded time was in the late 15th century. Like nearby Inchmickery, its profile and colour makes it look like a small warship from a distance. It was armed with coast defence guns from 1901 until 1906, and again from 1908 until the 1930s. More detailed history of the fascinating island here.
This one really was a lot of fun. I'd been looking at these islands since 2018 absolutely fascinated by them and had tried year in/year out to arrange a trip. Either by paying off a boat owner, hiring canoes, or a tour, I really wanted to see these islands. Therefore, when four years onward, the opportunity came up, I snatched at it. Despite the island itself, Inchgarvie, not being incredible in terms of what's on it, it's location, history and in our case, challenge, made it well worth the effort. We tag teamed with Hell on Earth, who are probably more anti-YouTube hierarchy than us, and some of the most genuine people I've come across from here. With two inflatables, one motor and a little bit of climbing rope, the plan was set for them to tow us to the island in October. It was a whole ordeal, and we put pretty much all of it in the video below, so rather than me typing out an essay's worth here, I'll leave the video linked at the bottom.
Here are some snaps anyhow, some I've shamelessly stolen from @jtza because they're better than mine and they'll sit on his dusty 2002 Dell untouched until it decays.
@jtza lookin bad asl
Boarding Inchgarvie on it's slippy terrain.
The last inhabitant of the island surveying the sea.
Down the camouflaged staircase into chambers that were built into the rock.
Wooden pier outstretching into the water.
Opposite side to where we started. All that resided here was the ruins of Inchgarvie Castle and old equipment for outdated Forth Bridge lighting.
Thanks for reading
