Inchkeith Lighthouse

Inchkeith Lighthouse stands on the island of Inchkeith in the Firth of Forth and can be seen from the Fife shore around Burntisland. It sits on a rocky island a few kilometres offshore and has guided ships towards Leith and Edinburgh for more than two centuries. This is a landmark to admire from a distance, because the island is not regularly open to visitors.

What is this lighthouse?

The present light was first lit on 14 September 1804. Thomas Smith, the first engineer of the Northern Lighthouse Board, designed it, and his assistant Robert Stevenson, who went on to found a famous dynasty of lighthouse engineers, oversaw the building. Work began in 1803, though sources give two foundation dates, 1 and 18 May. The whole project cost about 5,000 pounds.

The round ashlar tower is roughly 19 metres tall and rises from a two-storey castellated building. It was built over the remains of a sixteenth-century fort that, according to the sources, the French raised after taking the island in 1549. Close by, the circular base of an earlier lighthouse survives.

Why does it matter in lighthouse history?

Inchkeith was a testing ground for new technology. In 1815 the light was converted to a revolving one, among the first in the country. In 1835, under Alan Stevenson, Britain's first dioptric light, which concentrates the beam with lenses instead of mirrors, was installed here.

Is it a protected building?

Yes. Historic Environment Scotland lists the lighthouse together with the keepers' cottage, ancillary buildings and boundary walls as Category B (entry LB9707, designated in 1971 and amended in 2018). The fort remains on the island are protected separately as a scheduled monument.

How can you see it?

Easiest from the mainland. In clear weather the island and its lighthouse are visible from the Burntisland seafront and beach, from other points along the Fife coast, and from Edinburgh and Leith. There is no regular boat service landing on the island, and the lighthouse remains a working navigation aid. To get closer, check whether local Firth of Forth operators run cruises around the island in the current season. Bring binoculars or a telephoto lens.

When is the best time to look?

Clear days with good visibility give the best view, with the pale tower standing out against the water. After dark you can pick out its flashing light across the firth, which is especially easy from the Burntisland promenade.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Inchkeith island? There is no regular public access. The island and lighthouse are best viewed from the shore or from the water.

Where is the best place to see Inchkeith Lighthouse? From the Fife coast, including Burntisland and Kinghorn, and from Edinburgh's waterfront and Leith.

Who built the lighthouse? Thomas Smith designed it and Robert Stevenson supervised construction. It was lit in 1804.

Is the lighthouse a listed building? Yes, it is Category B listed by Historic Environment Scotland.