High Lighthouse, Buddon Ness

High Lighthouse at Buddon Ness is a historic brick lighthouse near Barry in Angus, on Scotland's east coast. It stands at the mouth of the River Tay, a few kilometres from Carnoustie. It has nothing to do with Barry in Wales, which is a different place entirely.

What is the High Lighthouse?

It is the taller of a pair of navigation lights that guided ships into the Tay estuary. Lined up with its partner, it showed mariners the safe channel between shifting sandbanks. The tower you see today dates from 1865–66 and was designed by the engineers David and Thomas Stevenson, members of the family behind many of Scotland's lighthouses. It was commissioned by Trinity House of Dundee.

What does the tower look like?

The lighthouse is a round, gently tapering column about 31 metres (103 ft) high. Its walls are brick, finished with stone dressings. Rising from a flat, sandy point, it dominates the surrounding landscape. Historic Environment Scotland lists it as a Category B building (reference LB4634).

What else is on the site?

The first lighthouse on Buddon Ness dates from around 1820. It was a round tower of roughly 26 metres that was later shortened, and it is now attached to the keeper's house, which is also protected. The new pair of towers went up beside it in the 1860s. The Low Lighthouse is a separate listed structure. In 1884 it was moved about 49 metres north, because the Tay channel had changed course and a new leading line was needed with the taller tower.

Can you visit?

The land around the lighthouse is part of the Barry Buddon military training area. Access can be restricted, particularly while exercises are under way, and the surrounding ground may carry warning signs. Treat the tower as something to view from a distance, and check current access rules and firing schedules before you set out. Local heritage records describe the tower as no longer operating as a working light, though sources differ on this point.

How do you get there?

Barry sits along the A930 between Dundee and Carnoustie, and Dundee is the nearest large city, about a dozen kilometres away. The easiest options are driving, or taking the train to Barry Links or Carnoustie and heading toward the coast. The lighthouse is visible from the wider area, and nearby beaches and the Carnoustie golf links make a good addition to the trip.

When is the best time to go?

Spring and summer bring long days and steadier weather. The Angus coast is often windy, so bring a warm layer even in July. For photography, early morning and evening give the most atmospheric light.

Frequently asked questions

Is this the same lighthouse as the one in Barry, Wales?

No. This one is in Angus, Scotland, at the mouth of the Tay, and is unrelated to the Welsh town of the same name.

Who built the High Lighthouse?

David and Thomas Stevenson built it in 1865–66 for Trinity House of Dundee.

How tall is the tower?

About 31 metres (103 ft), built of brick with stone dressings.

Can I walk up to the lighthouse?

The area is used for military training, so access may be restricted. Check current access information before your visit.