The Cammo Estate.
I've met very few people that are aware of the odd tale of Edinburgh's Cammo Estate. Cammo House existed for hundreds of years until its almost complete destruction in 1975.
(Further details of this story of a multi million pound fortune abandoned to nature by an eccentric recluse can be found in the National Library of Scotland on George the Fourth Bridge)
Creative writers and filmmakers out there will be inspired by Cammo. It requires imagination, because fragments are all that remain of a formerly glamorous country mansion. Aside from all the history though, you can simply enjoy a walk in the fresh air. There are some lovely trees (including Edinburgh's oldest Ash Tree) and everywhere you go you'll discover intriguing features, such as the former horse stables, a walled garden and a water tower built in the style of a folly.
Getting to Cammo is fairly straightforward; Take a bus from the West End of Princess Street along Queensferry Road. Get off at Barnton Junction, carry along Queensferry Road and turn left into Cammo Road. The road leads to a path that takes you into the estate.
Cammo House was built by John Menzies in 1693. Each subsequent owner made additions, such as the re-designed grounds and the water canal outside the remains of the house (possibly designed by Robert Adams)
Cammo is now almost completely reclaimed by nature. An organisation called the Friends of Cammo would like to see the estate restored to its former glory, architects and city planners are still debating its future.. read more