Cape Wrath Lighthouse

Cape Wrath Lighthouse marks the north-western tip of mainland Scotland, in the historic county of Sutherland (Highland council area), roughly 16 km from the village of Durness. It is among the most remote lighthouses in Britain, and getting there is part of the adventure.

What is it?

Robert Stevenson, grandfather of the author Robert Louis Stevenson, designed the tower, and it was completed in 1828 for the Northern Lighthouse Board, Scotland's lighthouse authority. The station was automated in the late 1990s, and the light is now monitored remotely from Edinburgh.

The lighthouse holds Category A listed status (listing number 488, designated in 1971) and appears in the Canmore record as NC27SE 3. The former support buildings house the seasonal Ozone Café, which bills itself as the most remote café on the British mainland.

How do you get to the lighthouse?

No ordinary public road reaches the cape. The usual route is:

1. Drive to the Keoldale landing, a few kilometres from Durness.
2. Cross the Kyle of Durness on the small passenger ferry. Sailings depend on the tide and on enough passengers turning up.
3. Board the minibus on the far shore for the bumpy ride of about 11 miles across open moorland.

Both ferry and minibus run seasonally, roughly May to September. The other option is to walk: the long-distance Cape Wrath Trail ends at the lighthouse.

Is access always open?

No. The surrounding land is a military training area, and when red flags fly the cape is closed to visitors. Check the firing schedule and current ferry times before you set out, as both change through the season.

What will you see?

The lighthouse sits above tall sea cliffs that drop into the Atlantic. On a clear day you can see the north Scottish coast and, in good conditions, distant islands. Bring a windproof layer: the wind rarely stops and the weather turns quickly. A hot drink at the café is an easy reward.

When should you go?

Realistically in the season between late spring and early autumn, when the crossing operates. Choose a day with good visibility and no live firing. Set aside a full day, including waiting for the ferry and the return minibus.

Frequently asked questions

Can I drive to the lighthouse? No. Only the minibus runs beyond the Kyle of Durness, and private cars are not allowed on that road.

Can I go inside the lighthouse? It is a working Northern Lighthouse Board station, so touring the interior is not a standard attraction. Most visitors admire it from outside and from the nearby cliffs.

When is the crossing closed? Outside the season and during military exercises, when red flags are displayed at the cape. Tides can also affect sailings.

How far is it from Durness? About 16 km to the cape as the crow flies, but with the ferry, the minibus and waiting times, the trip takes several hours.