Rattray Head Lighthouse

Rattray Head Lighthouse stands on the north-east coast of Scotland, in the Buchan area of Aberdeenshire, about seven miles north of Peterhead. A white tower rising from a small rock at the end of a long, wild beach, it is one of the most photogenic sights on this stretch of coast.

What is Rattray Head Lighthouse?

The light went into service in 1895 to a design by David Alan Stevenson, of the Scottish family of lighthouse engineers. It is run by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The reason for building it was practical: the Rattray Briggs, a reef off the headland, had caught out passing ships. Construction began in 1892, after the authorities had first floated the idea of a simple bell buoy instead.

The tower sits on a skerry called The Ron, on a massive round granite base that once held the engine room and fog signal. Above it rises a circular shaft of white enamelled fireclay brick, topped with a lantern and dome. The structure is a Category B listed building, designated on 16 April 1971 by Historic Environment Scotland. It was automated in 1982 and is now monitored remotely from the Board's headquarters in Edinburgh.

What can you see nearby?

Rattray Head separates two bays: Strathbeg Bay to the north and Rattray Bay to the south. The dunes here reach up to 23 m and run for 27 km between St Combs and Peterhead. A walk along the sand gives constant views of the lighthouse, and at low tide the rocks around its base are exposed.

Photographers do best early in the morning or in the hours before sunset, when the white tower stands out against dark sea and pale sand. The wind is strong even in summer, so bring a windproof layer.

How do you get there?

From Peterhead it takes roughly 20 to 25 minutes by car towards St Combs and Crimond, then along local roads to the coast. The lighthouse lies at about 57.610 N, 1.816 W. Driving is the easiest option, as public transport in this part of Aberdeenshire is sparse.

When should you visit?

The lighthouse can be admired in any season. May to August brings the longest days and the most light, while autumn and winter are more dramatic, with waves breaking over the rocks.

Frequently asked questions

Is Rattray Head Lighthouse still working? Yes. It is an active aid to navigation, automated since 1982 and monitored from Edinburgh.

Who designed it and when was it built? It was completed in 1895 to a design by David Alan Stevenson.

Is it a listed building? Yes, it has been Category B listed by Historic Environment Scotland since 1971.

Why was it built here? The Rattray Briggs reef offshore had caused shipwrecks, so a permanent warning light was needed.