Noss Head Lighthouse

Noss Head Lighthouse sits at the tip of the Noss Head peninsula in Caithness, Highland, close to the fishing hamlet of Staxigoe. The white tower overlooks Sinclair's Bay, around three miles north-east of Wick, and still guides ships along this stretch of Scotland's north-east coast. It is one of the most photogenic spots in the area.

What is the history of the lighthouse?

The light was first lit in 1849. Alan Stevenson, of the celebrated Scottish lighthouse-building family, designed it, and Robert Arnot of Inverness carried out the construction. Noss Head earned a place in engineering history for its lantern, the first to be glazed with diagonal panes, an arrangement that later spread to other lighthouses. The keepers' houses and offices are category A listed. Since 1987 the light has been unmanned, monitored remotely from Edinburgh by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The original lamp is on display at the Wick Heritage Museum.

Can you go inside?

The tower itself is not open for visits, so you admire it from outside. The clifftop path and the headland give the best views, with Sinclair's Bay and the North Sea stretching out below.

How do you get to Noss Head?

Driving from Wick is simplest: head north past Staxigoe and finish on a narrow local road. A bus also runs from Wick to Staxigoe. On foot, you can start at Staxigoe harbour, roughly two miles from the centre of Wick.

Which walk should you choose?

The popular loop from Staxigoe covers about five miles and takes two to three hours. It follows the cliffs to the lighthouse, continues to the ruins of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe on its rocky promontory, and returns along minor roads through farmland. The ground can be boggy and the path runs close to unfenced drops, so wear sturdy footwear and keep away from the edge. Keen walkers can extend the route to Ackergill and back into Wick.

When is the best time to visit?

Summer brings very long days and warm evening light for photography. Seabirds nest on the cliffs in spring and early summer. The headland is exposed to wind all year, so pack a windproof layer even on a clear day.

Frequently asked questions

Is Noss Head Lighthouse open to visitors? The tower's interior is closed to the public, but you can see it from outside and walk the surrounding headland.

When was it built? It was first lit in 1849 to a design by Alan Stevenson.

What makes the design special? It was the first lighthouse fitted with a diagonally paned lantern, a feature that later became common practice.

How far is it from Wick? About three miles to the north-east, with Staxigoe the nearest village.

Is it the same as Noss on Shetland? No. Noss Head is on the Scottish mainland in Caithness, while the Isle of Noss is a separate place in Shetland.