Pladda Lighthouse

Pladda Lighthouse marks the southern tip of the tiny island of Pladda, just off the south coast of Arran in North Ayrshire, Scotland. First lit on 1 October 1790, it still shines today, making it one of the oldest working lights in the Firth of Clyde. For visitors it is above all a view from the shore: a white tower on a low, grassy islet that you can pick out easily from southern Arran.

What is the history of Pladda Lighthouse?

Engineer Thomas Smith designed it for the Northern Lighthouse Board, then known as the Commissioners of the Northern Lights. It was the first light on the Clyde that the Board commissioned, and it belongs to the earliest generation of Scottish lights alongside Mull of Kintyre and Cumbrae. To stop sailors confusing it with the three other lighthouses in the Firth of Clyde, Pladda was given two lights, an upper and a lower one about 20 feet below. The lower light was discontinued in 1901. The station was rebuilt in 1821 and later switched from sperm oil to paraffin. It was automated in 1990, the keepers were withdrawn, and it is now monitored remotely from Edinburgh.

Where is it and how can you see it?

Pladda is privately owned and reached by boat or helicopter; the crossing from Silver Sands beach takes around 15 minutes. There are no regular landings or organised visits, so plan to admire it from Arran. The nearest village with services is Kildonan, which has a shop, post office, campsite and hotel, and the island is visible from the hotel itself. A road follows the south coast to Kildonan, and Arran is reached by ferry from Ardrossan.

What will you see?

A white conical tower with the buildings of the former light station, and on clear days a wide outlook towards Ailsa Craig and the Kintyre peninsula. Holy Isle lies on the other side of Arran's coast. Seals, dolphins and otters are regularly spotted in the waters around Pladda, so bring binoculars. After dark the beam can be seen from the shore.

When should you go?

Late spring to early autumn gives the longest days, calmer seas and the best chances for photography and wildlife. In winter, Atlantic wind makes boat trips and clifftop walks harder. Early morning and sunset give the best light for photos.

Frequently asked questions

Can you land on Pladda? The island is private and there are no regular landing trips. The easiest way to enjoy the lighthouse is from Kildonan and the beaches of southern Arran.

Is the lighthouse still working? Yes. It has shone since 1790 and has run automatically, without a resident crew, since 1990.

Who designed it? Thomas Smith, working for the Northern Lighthouse Board.

Why does it have two lights? The upper and lower lights set Pladda apart from the three other lighthouses in the Firth of Clyde. The lower one was in use until 1901.