Tayport Pile Lighthouse

Tayport Pile Lighthouse is a timber lighthouse standing on stilts in the Firth of Tay, just off the shore at Tayport in Fife, Scotland. You cannot visit it, but it is one of the few surviving pile lighthouses in the UK and a rewarding sight from the shoreline.

What is it?

The light was built between 1845 and 1848 to guide shipping into the Tay towards Dundee. It took over from the shore-based Tayport High and Low lights, which no longer marked the channel precisely enough. The Low Light was discontinued in 1848 once the new beacon entered service. Locally it is also known as the Larick Beacon.

How is it built?

The structure is a square timber box carrying the lantern, raised on wooden legs. The "screw pile" name refers to the way the supports were fixed into the seabed. The light began as a candle behind a prism and was later converted to oil and paraffin, with a bell sounded in fog. It was staffed around the clock. The light was switched off around 1960 and the building has stood empty since. Its condition is poor, though a Canmore report describes the frame as still quite sound.

Can you go inside?

No. It stands in the water and is not open to visitors. View it from the Tayport shore, or across the estuary on a clear day. Binoculars or a zoom lens help a lot.

How do you get there and where do you look?

Tayport sits on the south side of the Tay, opposite Broughty Ferry and Dundee. By car it is about 15 minutes from Dundee over the Tay Road Bridge, or around 10 minutes from Leuchars. From the promenade and harbour front, look out over the water. While you are there, you can also see the two land-based East and West Lighthouses on West Common, which are separate buildings.

When should you visit?

Morning and the hours before sunset give the best photographic light. The stilts show more clearly at low tide. Waders and seals around the estuary are another reason to bring binoculars.

Frequently asked questions

Is Tayport Pile Lighthouse still in operation? No. The light was deactivated around 1960.

Can I go inside or take a boat to it? No. It is closed to visitors, and the Tay estuary has strong currents and shoals, so enjoy it from the shore.

Is it the same as the East and West lighthouses in Tayport? No. Those two stand on land at West Common. The Pile Lighthouse stands in the water.

Why is it called the Larick Beacon? That is an alternative local name for the same lighthouse.