Lees Scar Light

Lees Scar Light is a striking pile-built lighthouse standing in the Solway Firth just off Silloth, on the Cumbrian coast of north-west England. Locals know it as "Tommy Legs". The structure rises from a rocky shoal several hundred metres out and still works as a navigation mark today.

What is Lees Scar Light?

It is a braced iron structure on piles, set on a rocky scar in the estuary. The 1933 Admiralty sailing directions describe it as a white structure on piles, around 45 feet (about 14 m) high, standing roughly 1.1 km south-west of Silloth pierhead. At low tide the dark, stilt-like legs stand clear of the water, which gives the place a lonely, industrial look quite unlike a typical tower on land.

What is its history?

The light dates from 1841 and was built to help vessels travelling between Port Carlisle and Annan, as well as to mark a submerged reef. The old structure above the piles was later removed, but the legs survived and now carry a modern light. Local tradition says the "Tommy Legs" nickname comes from a keeper, Tommy Geddes. Mid-19th-century charts label it "Lee Scar Light House". It was manned until 1938, when it was judged unsafe and put out of service. The light was re-established in 1959 after part of the nearby pier collapsed.

What does it do for shipping?

Together with East Cote lighthouse on the Silloth seafront, it forms a pair of leading lights for ships approaching the port. The structure once also carried a fog signal and a tide gauge whose large figures showed the depth at the dock entrance.

How can you see it?

You cannot go inside or climb it, because it is an active aid to navigation out in the water. The best views are from Silloth itself: walk the promenade and the shore along the Solway Firth, where the light stands alone against the water with the Scottish hills across the estuary. Photos work best at low tide, when the piles are exposed, and at sunset, when the sky over the firth turns red.

East Cote lighthouse, rebuilt in 1997, is close by, so both can be seen on one walk. The area lies within the Solway Coast Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which pairs well with birdwatching and a stroll along the dunes.

When should you visit?

The light is visible all year. Spring and summer bring long days and the most pleasant promenade walks. Autumn and winter are windier, but sunsets over the firth are at their most dramatic. Check a tide table if you want to see the piles uncovered.

Frequently asked questions

Can you visit Lees Scar Light?

No. It stands in the sea, is not open to visitors and operates as a working navigation light.

Why is it called "Tommy Legs"?

According to local accounts, after a keeper named Tommy Geddes. The name also suits the long, spindly piles.

Where is the best place to view it?

From the promenade and beach at Silloth, ideally at low tide. Binoculars or a telephoto lens help.

Is there another lighthouse nearby?

Yes, East Cote lighthouse on the Silloth promenade. The two form a pair of leading lights for ships entering the port.