North Rona Lighthouse

North Rona Lighthouse stands on North Rona, a remote island far north of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland. The light has operated since 1984 and is run by the Northern Lighthouse Board. Treat it as a place to know about rather than a stop on a normal itinerary: there is no village, shop or visitor harbour anywhere nearby.

Where is North Rona Lighthouse?

The lighthouse sits at the northern end of Rona, an island usually called North Rona to separate it from South Rona in the Inner Hebrides. The island covers about 109 hectares and rises to 108 m (354 ft). Its coordinates are roughly 59.12° N, 5.81° W. Nobody lives there.

When was the light built?

The current station dates from 1984. Be careful with online mix-ups: the 1857 date and the Stevenson family design belong to Rona Lighthouse on South Rona, a different site entirely. North Rona's light is a much later installation, maintained by the NLB within Scotland's network of navigation aids.

What else is on the island?

The lighthouse is only part of the story. North Rona is a nature reserve and, together with neighbouring Sula Sgeir, one of the key seabird breeding grounds in Britain. Around 130,000 birds of fifteen species are counted across the two islands, with internationally important numbers of storm petrel, Leach's petrel, gannet and guillemot.

It is also a Special Area of Conservation for grey seals. The colony is the third largest breeding site in the UK, producing roughly 5% of the country's annual pups, and the seals use submerged sea caves along the coast.

People left their mark too. Tradition places the hermit Saint Ronan here in the 8th century, and a cell, a small chapel and grave markers survive. Permanent residents left in the early 19th century, with some sources giving around 1844.

How do you get there?

There is no scheduled service. A crossing needs settled weather and an experienced boat operator, and landing can be impossible in heavy swell. Because the island is a protected reserve, contact NatureScot and the Northern Lighthouse Board about access rules before planning any visit. Take particular care during the seabird breeding season.

When is the best time to go?

Summer seas are usually calmer, but that is also when birds are nesting and need to be left undisturbed. Build in plenty of slack for weather changes.

Frequently asked questions

Can you go inside North Rona Lighthouse? No. It is a working navigation aid inside a nature reserve and is not open to visitors.

Does anyone live on the island? No. It has been uninhabited since the early 19th century.

Is this the same lighthouse as Rona on South Rona? No. The 1857 lighthouse on South Rona is in the Inner Hebrides. North Rona Lighthouse was built in 1984.

What is worth seeing nearby? Seabird colonies, the grey seal population and the remains of Saint Ronan's hermitage, provided access complies with reserve rules.