20 Lighthouses to Explore in Scotland

Ailsa Craig Lighthouse is located on Ailsa Craig, an island in the Firth of Clyde, just offshore from Girvan, South Ayrshire, Scotland. It was completed in 1886, the construction being overseen by Thomas and David Alan Stevenson.Initially, the lighthouse used oil-burning lamps, but by 1911, these were replaced with incandescent lighting. Fog signals were discontinued in 1987. Then, in 1990, the lighthouse was automated, and a refurbishment took place in 2001, when it was converted to run on sola

The Bass Rock lighthouse is located on an island lying 3 miles off North Berwick on the East Coast of Scotland. It has a range of 21 miles and flashes white every 30 seconds. Until the automation the lighthouse was lit by incandescent gas obtained from vaporised paraffin oil converted into a bunsen gas for heating a mantle. Since that time a new biform ML300 synchronised bifilament 20-watt electric lamp has been used.

Cape Wrath is the most north-westerly point in mainland Britain. The cape is separated from the rest of the mainland by the Kyle of Durness inlet and consists of 107 square miles (280 square kilometres) of moorland wilderness known as the Parph. The first road was built in 1828 by the lighthouse commission across the Parph/Durness. This road connects a passenger ferry that crosses the Kyle of Durness with the buildings on the peninsula.

Chanonry Point lies at the end of Chanonry Ness, a spit of land extending into the Moray Firth. It is one of the best spots in the UK to view bottlenose dolphins from the land. The dolphins are often visible off Chanonry point, particularly on an incoming tide when they play and fish in the strong currents. An active lighthouse is also situated at the tip of the point.

The Cloch is one of the three lighthouses built to protect the difficult waters at the head of the Firth of Clyde. The lighthouse was built by Kermack and Gall; it consists of a short, round tower with corbelled walkways, and it is now accompanied by two sets of keepers' houses. The earlier houses are used as stores and the later are easily identified by their crowstepped gables. Today, the light is fully automated and unmanned.

Duncansby Head is the most northeasterly part of the British mainland. The point is marked by Duncansby Head Lighthouse, and Duncansby Stacks, prominent sea stacks just off the coast.

Fair Isle North is one of two lighthouses on the remote island of Fair Isle, between Orkney and Shetland. It’s located at Skroo at the north eastern most tip of the island. However, the North Lighthouse is a much smaller tower, only 14m in height because it can take advantage of the 65-m high cliffs on which it stands, to elevate the light giving a range of 25 miles. A foghorn is located further out on The Nizz, accessed by a path marked by iron railings.

The Fair Isle South Lighthouse is the tower is the tallest in Shetland at 25.9m (85 feet). Powered by diesel generators, the light has a range of 25 miles and is visible in Orkney. It was the work of David A. Stevenson and Charles Stevenson, and first illuminated in 1892.

A majestic light house, which was one of the first offshore lighthouses to be automated by the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1970. The lighthouse was recently refurbished and a new LED light installed. The island of Fidra is reputed to have been the inspiration for the shape of Treasure Island in Robert Louis Stevenson's novel. It is accessible via a private jetty on the east coast of the island.

A majestic lighthouse which was located in the heart of South ayrshire and it offers beautiful views and it is quiet interesting to visit an d to know the history of this lighthouse.

This lighthouse is on the Isle of Graemsay in the Orkney Isles located on the northeast point of the island. It was built in 1851 by Alan Stevenson, together with a keepers residence. It marks the main channel into the Scapa Flow harbour, and along with other lights in the area, known as range lights, they aid navigation through Hoy Sound.

Killantringan Lighthouse is a lighthouse located near Portpatrick in Dumfries and Galloway, south-west Scotland. The light came into activity in 1900, and filled in as a waypoint in the North Channel of the Irish Sea. The name Killantringan is gotten from 'Cill shaint Ringain' St Ringan's church; Ringan is a medieval iety of Ninian. The beacon is ensured as a classification B recorded building.

There are two lighthouses located on Kinnaird Head, in Fraserburgh, Scotland, an historical one built in a converted castle, and its modern replacement built in 1991. The original lighthouse now forms part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.

Neist Point is a viewpoint on the most westerly point of Isle of Skye. Neist Point Lighthouse has been located there since 1909. Whales, dolphins, porpoises, and basking shark can be seen from the point.

This beautiful Lighthouse stands tall amongst it all, nearly 80 metres above sea level. This Stevenson lighthouse was built in 1898 with a principal lightkeeper, an assistant and their families living at the site until the light was automated in 1964. The lighthouse became automatic in 1964 and was converted to wind and solar power using a solar array in 2000.

Pladda is home to an attractive lighthouse that was first lit in October 1790 and joined the lights on the Mull of Kintyre, Cumbrae in the Firth of Clyde, and Copeland light on the Irish coast. To allow Mariners to distinguish it from the other lights, Pladda had to show a lower light from a small lantern 20 feet below the original one – an arrangement that was soon made permanent and was to operate for more than 100 years.

Sumburgh Head is characterised by steep cliffs, a historic lighthouse building and one of Britain’s most accessible seabird colonies. The head is a 100 m high rocky spur capped by the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse. Visit, and explore the history and natural heritage of Sumburgh Head from early geological beginnings and Iron Age settlers to Lighthouse Keepers, Whales, Puffins and much more.

Scurdie Ness Lighthouse is located on the headland and has also been referred to as Montroseness Lighthouse. In 1867 the seafaring community of Ferryden made representations to the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses to have a light established on Montrose Point due to the numerous shipwrecks and great loss of life along that coast. There are 11 wrecks recorded around the mouth of the estuary.

Southerness lighthouse is located at the village of Southerness in South West Scotland. It is at present the second oldest lighthouse in Scotland. The 18m tall lighthouse sits overlooking the Solway Firth, towards the Lake District. Although the lighthouse is no longer in operation, it is an interesting landmark in a beautiful location that deserves to be put on any travel itinerary. The lighthouse is often open to the public in high season, where views from the top are said to be well worth the

Start Point Lighthouse was built by Trinity House in 1836, marking one of the most exposed peninsulas on the English Coast. Open to the public in summer months, it is owned and operated by Trinity House. It has been designated by English Heritage as a grade II listed building