Dunollie Lighthouse

Dunollie Lighthouse is a small stone lighthouse on the north side of Oban Bay, in Argyll and Bute on Scotland's west coast. It sits on the shore by Ganavan Road, roughly 400 metres south of Dunollie Castle, and marks the northern approach to the bay and the Sound of Kerrera.

What is Dunollie Lighthouse?

It is one of the smallest lighthouses you will find in Scotland. The round tower stands about 6 metres tall and is built of dark whinstone, which blends with the rocky shoreline. With its slightly sloping walls and rough masonry, it looks more like a little watchtower than a classic lighthouse. It is a working aid to navigation, not a castle or a museum.

What is its history?

By the late 1800s Oban harbour was busy with trade and pleasure boats, and the northern entrance needed better marking. The Northern Lighthouse Board turned down a request in 1886 but suggested a light near Dunollie Castle, to be run by the local harbour authority. The tower went up in 1891–1892 under engineers David A. and Charles Stevenson, members of the famous Scottish lighthouse-building family. It first shone on 13 February 1892, fuelled by gas from Oban's town supply. Collimating screens were added in 1979 so sailors can tell the coloured sectors apart, and solar panels power the light today.

Why is it a listed building?

Historic Environment Scotland gave the lighthouse Category C listed status in December 2020. The listing points to the rustic whinstone masonry, uncommon among Stevenson lights, and to the rectangular lantern panes, which were unusual for the Board's lights. Only the tower is protected; the metal railings around it are not part of the listing.

How does the light work now?

It shows two flashes every 6 seconds, with white and red sectors and a range of about 8 nautical miles. Visit after dark if you want to see it shining across the bay.

How do you get there, and what is nearby?

The lighthouse is on the shore road north of Oban town centre, an easy walk along the waterfront. Close by are Dunollie Castle and Dunollie Museum, views across to the island of Kerrera, and the coastal route on towards Ganavan beach. Evening is the best time for photos, when the sun sets over the Sound of Kerrera.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside the lighthouse?

No. It is an operating navigation light and is viewed from the outside, from the shore.

Is there an entrance fee?

No. You can see it from the public shore road, free of charge.

Is the lighthouse part of Dunollie Castle?

No. It is a separate structure about 400 metres from the castle. The castle and museum are visited separately.

When was it built?

Construction took place in 1891–1892, and the light was first lit on 13 February 1892.