Low Lighthouse, Buddon Ness

Low Lighthouse at Buddon Ness in Barry, Angus (Scotland) is a former leading light on a sandy headland at the mouth of the River Tay, a few kilometres south-west of Carnoustie. It is not the Barry in Wales. The tower no longer shows a light, yet it still stands among the dunes and is a protected historic building.

What is the Low Lighthouse?

Buddon Ness had two lighthouses that worked as a pair. A ship that saw one light directly above the other knew it was on the safe line into the Tay estuary. The Low Lighthouse was the shorter, seaward member of the pair, while the High Lighthouse stands further north-west and is taller.

Both towers date from 1865-66 and were designed by the engineers D. and T. Stevenson, part of Scotland's famous lighthouse-building family. The Low Lighthouse is round in plan and about 18.6 m (61 ft) tall. It is built of pale yellow brick and was originally painted white.

Why was it moved?

The entrance channel of the Tay shifted with the sandbanks, so the original alignment stopped marking a good course. Between 5 May and 4 June 1884 the whole lower tower was moved about 48.7 m (160 ft) to the north-east, which restored the line with the High Lighthouse. The keepers' houses stayed where they were.

How is it different from the High Lighthouse?

• Position: the Low Lighthouse is nearer the sea; the High Lighthouse is further inland to the north-west.
• Height: about 18.6 m for the low tower, taller for the high one.
• Role: the low light was the front mark of the pair, the high light the rear mark.

Can you visit?

Buddon Ness lies inside Barry Buddon, an area used for military training. Access depends on firing and exercise schedules, and the tower is disused with no entry. The keepers' houses are unroofed, judged dangerous and fenced off. Check current range closure notices before you travel and stay clear of fences and warning signs.

How do you get there?

The nearest sizeable town is Carnoustie, on the rail line between Dundee and Aberdeen. From there you continue by local roads towards Barry Buddon; the site sits at roughly 56.4675 N, 2.7448 W. Plan to come by car or bike and ask locally about the current access rules.

When is the best time to go?

The dunes and Tay shoreline are most pleasant in late spring and summer, with long days and steadier weather. Winter brings strong winds off the North Sea. Whatever the season, the military exercise calendar decides whether you can go, not the weather.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Low Lighthouse at Buddon Ness still active? No. The tower is out of use and survives as a historic structure.

Is it a listed building? Yes. It holds Category B status in the Historic Environment Scotland register.

Can I go inside the tower or the keepers' houses? No. The land is military, the tower is disused, and the ruined keepers' houses are fenced off as dangerous.

How does it differ from the High Lighthouse at Buddon Ness? In position (closer to the sea), height (shorter) and role in the pair. The Low Lighthouse was moved in 1884 to realign it with the taller tower.