Loch Indaal Lighthouse

Loch Indaal Lighthouse is a small light on the edge of Port Charlotte, on the west shore of Islay in the Inner Hebrides (Argyll and Bute, Scotland). It sits on the point of Rubh' an Duin, about a quarter of a mile northeast of the village, and marks the way along the waters of Loch Indaal.

What is Loch Indaal Lighthouse?

The light was first lit in 1869. It was the work of the brothers David and Thomas Stevenson, part of the Scottish engineering family that built lighthouses for the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) across several generations. The tower is white and its lantern is black. Around 1950 it was automated, so no keepers have lived here for decades. The NLB still looks after it.

Is it the same as the Rhinns of Islay lighthouse?

No, and the two are easy to confuse. The Rhinns of Islay light stands on the islet of Orsay at the south-western tip of the Rhinns peninsula and dates from 1825. Loch Indaal Lighthouse is younger, smaller, and sits right beside Port Charlotte, deeper inside the bay.

What can you see?

This is a lighthouse to admire from outside, from the shore near the village. The NLB lists it as closed to visitors, so don't plan on going in. The draw is the white tower against the water and the view across the loch toward Bowmore on the far shore. Port Charlotte itself is one of the prettiest villages on Islay, with a long line of whitewashed houses along Main Street, so the lighthouse fits easily into a short stroll through the village.

How do you get there?

Port Charlotte lies on the west side of Loch Indaal, on the Rhinns peninsula, and you reach it by car along the road that follows the shore of the bay. To get to Islay, take the ferry from the Scottish mainland or fly to the island's airport. The lighthouse is just beyond the village, a short walk from the main street. Its coordinates are roughly 55.74 N, 6.37 W.

When should you go?

The lighthouse can be seen all year, but Islay is most pleasant from late spring to early autumn, when days are long and the weather is steadier. The bay can be windy, so bring a waterproof jacket. Sunsets over the water make good photographs.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside Loch Indaal Lighthouse?

No. According to the Northern Lighthouse Board it is not open to the public, but it is easy to see from the shore.

When was it built?

In 1869, designed by the Stevenson brothers. It was automated around 1950.

Where exactly is it?

On Rubh' an Duin, about a quarter of a mile (400 m) northeast of Port Charlotte, on the shore of Loch Indaal.

Is this the lighthouse on Orsay?

No. The Rhinns of Islay lighthouse on Orsay is a separate structure from 1825, at the mouth of the bay.