Kinnaird Head Lighthouse

Kinnaird Head Lighthouse in Fraserburgh was the first lighthouse lit on the Scottish mainland, and it now anchors the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. It stands on the Kinnaird Head headland at the north-eastern corner of Aberdeenshire, beside the fishing harbour.

Why does this lighthouse stand out?

The light was never given a purpose-built tower. In 1786 the Northern Lighthouse Board took over Kinnaird Head Castle, a tower house raised around 1570 by Sir Alexander Fraser, 8th Lord of Philorth, to guard his new harbour. The tower was converted, and the lamp first shone in December 1787. Edinburgh engineer Thomas Smith designed it. His son-in-law Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, rebuilt the station in 1824.

The light kept working until 1991, when a modern automatic light built next door replaced it. The historic building is a Category A listed structure, the highest grade in Scotland.

What can you see here?

A single ticket covers the museum displays, Kinnaird Head Castle and a guided tour of the lighthouse. The tour lasts about an hour. You climb 72 steps to the lamp room, with views over Fraserburgh harbour and the North Sea.

The museum explains how Scotland's lighthouses worked and how keepers lived. You will see lighthouse lenses and the equipment keepers used. There is also a tea room overlooking the sea and a gift shop.

How do you get to Kinnaird Head?

Fraserburgh lies roughly 60 km north of Aberdeen. Driving via the A90 and A952 is the easiest route. The museum sits right by the harbour, so it is simple to add a fish-and-chips stop or a walk along the quay.

When should you visit?

Full guided visits run in the main season, from spring until September or October. Outside it, opening hours shrink and for part of the year only pre-booked groups are admitted. Check the current calendar on the museum or Historic Environment Scotland website before you travel. A clear day is best, since the view from the tower reaches far along the coast. Doors Open Days in September sometimes bring free entry.

Frequently asked questions

Is the lighthouse still in use? No. The historic light went out in 1991. The new automatic lighthouse next to it is not open to visitors.

How long does a visit take? The guided tour is about an hour. With the museum and the castle, plan on two to three hours.

Can you climb to the top? Yes, via 72 steps. Climbs go with a guide, and tour tickets are collected at the museum.

Is it suitable for children? Yes. The lamp room, the lenses and the displays on keepers' daily lives appeal to older children in particular. Visitors who cannot manage the stairs can still enjoy the museum galleries at ground level.

Who designed the first lamp? Thomas Smith of Edinburgh, engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board. Robert Stevenson, his son-in-law, succeeded him.