Hyskeir Lighthouse

Hyskeir Lighthouse (Gaelic Oigh-sgeir) rises from a tiny uninhabited island in the Inner Hebrides, in the Scottish Highlands council area. Standing 39 metres tall, the white tower has marked the southern approach to the Minch since 1904.

Where is Hyskeir?

The island sits in open sea about 10 km south-west of Canna and roughly 14 km west of Rùm, at around 56.97 N, 6.68 W. Nobody lives here permanently, and the lighthouse is a working navigation station rather than a standard sightseeing stop. It appeals to lighthouse enthusiasts, sailors and anyone exploring the Small Isles by boat, and it is best seen from the water or from neighbouring islands such as Canna.

Why was it built?

The light warns shipping of three hazards: the Mills Rocks, Canna, and Hyskeir itself. Engineers David Alan Stevenson and Charles Alexander Stevenson, part of the celebrated family of Scottish lighthouse designers, drew up the plans. The Oban firm D & J MacDougall carried out the construction, and the light was first shown in 1904.

What makes it special?

Hyskeir is among the few Scottish lighthouses that still hold their original hyperradial lens, an exceptionally large Fresnel-type optic. The light's listed intensity is about 788,000 candela. Electric power arrived in 1959.

What was life like for the keepers?

Keepers' families lived in Oban, where a shore station was built in 1904, while the men served month-long duties on the rock. From the 1970s relief crews were flown in by helicopter from a purpose-built pad, though heavy supplies still arrived by ship. During the winter of 1980 storms halted oil deliveries, and the station was down to roughly two days of fuel before a delivery got through. Visitors over the years included the Moderator of the Church of Scotland in 1974 and John McCarthy and Sandi Toksvig, who stopped by in 1994 while making a book and documentary. Former keeper Peter Hill wrote about his time on the station in his 2003 memoir Stargazing.

Who runs it today?

The Northern Lighthouse Board operates the light. The keepers left in March 1997 when the station was automated, making it one of the last Scottish lighthouses to lose its resident crew. The lamp is now monitored remotely from the Board's headquarters in Edinburgh.

When is the best time to go?

Late spring to early autumn gives calmer seas and long daylight for boat trips around the Small Isles. Conditions in the Minch change quickly, so any crossing depends on wind and swell.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Hyskeir Lighthouse? It is an active Northern Lighthouse Board site on an uninhabited island. Most people view it from the sea, and any landing needs arrangements with a boat operator in advance.

Who built Hyskeir Lighthouse? It was designed by David Alan and Charles Alexander Stevenson and built by D & J MacDougall of Oban in 1904.

Does anyone still live at the lighthouse? No. It was automated in 1997 and is monitored remotely from Edinburgh.

How tall is the tower? The tower is 39 metres (128 ft) high and warns ships of the Mills Rocks, Canna and Hyskeir itself.