Coast in the United Kingdom

Skerries Lighthouse

Skerries Lighthouse sits on The Skerries, a small rocky island off the north-west coast of Anglesey in Wales, a few nautical miles north of Carmel Head. Its light guides ships heading for Holyhead and the Liverpool approaches. It is also a protected monument, listed Grade II* and recognised as a national monument of Wales. Which Skerries is this? There are several places called Skerries, including towns and islets in Ireland and Orkney. This lighthouse is only on the Welsh island off Anglesey, at roughly 53.42 N, 4.61 W. The island covers around 46 acres and has no permanent residents, only seasonal RSPB wardens. What is the history of the lighthouse? The first light shone on 4 November 1717. William Trench, the island's leaseholder, had been granted a patent for it by Queen Anne in 1714. The venture did not make him rich and he died in debt. For well over a century the light stayed in private hands, funded by dues paid by passing ships. At first the beacon was an open coal fire on top of the tower. Around 1759 the heirs of the early owners rebuilt the tower. Morgan Jones inherited the light in 1778, raised the tower by about 6.7 metres and added an iron balcony around the lantern. An oil lamp replaced the coal fire in 1804. After an 1836 Act ordered private lights to be bought out, the process dragged on, and Trinity House acquired Skerries in 1841, the last privately owned lighthouse in the British Isles to change hands. Electricity arrived in 1927. The station was automated and its keepers withdrawn in 1987, and it is now monitored from the Trinity House operations centre at Harwich. What can you see here? The lighthouse is a white tower with a gallery, easy to spot from the sea. For many visitors the island's wildlife matters more. It holds the largest Arctic tern colony in Wales, estimated at 2,000 to 4,000 pairs depending on peregrine predation. The surrounding waters are good for spotting grey seals, porpoises, dolphins and occasionally basking sharks. How do you get there? The only way onto the island is a chartered boat from an Anglesey harbour, and sailings depend on weather and tides, so keep your plans flexible. For a view from land, look out from the Carmel Head area on a clear day. The light is operational rather than a museum, and the interior is not generally open to the public. When is the best time to visit? Spring and early summer, when the terns are nesting. Bring waterproofs and a hat, as the birds defend their colony and will dive at anyone walking nearby. The sea is usually calmer than in autumn and winter. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside Skerries Lighthouse? No. It is a working Trinity House station run by remote control. You can visit the island only by boat, weather permitting. Does anyone live on the island? Not permanently. Seasonal RSPB wardens stay during the breeding season. Is this the same Skerries as the one in Ireland? No. The Irish Skerries is a town in County Dublin. This lighthouse is in Wales, north of Anglesey. Why is the lighthouse historically important? It has been lit since 1717, and in 1841 it became the last privately owned lighthouse in the British Isles to be taken over by Trinity House.

Barns Ness Lighthouse

Innerwick

Barns Ness Lighthouse stands on a flat, rocky headland on the East Lothian coast, a few kilometres south-east of Dunbar and close to the village of Innerwick. Its white tower is one of the most recognisable landmarks on this stretch of the North Sea shore. What is Barns Ness Lighthouse? The tower went up between 1899 and 1901, designed by the engineering brothers David Alan and Charles Alexander Stevenson, cousins of the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson and part of Scotland's great lighthouse-building dynasty. Construction took about two and a half years, using stone from the quarries at Craigree and Barnton. A date of 1901 is carved above the door. The tower is round in section and tapers gently, topped by a circular lantern with triangular panes and a domed roof. Single-storey keepers' cottages sit alongside, with their stone corners left exposed. The light was switched off in October 2005 and the complex is now privately owned. It is a Category B listed building (listed in 1986), the listing covering the tower, cottages and retaining walls. How do you get to the lighthouse? The classic approach is a coastal walk from the White Sands car park south of Dunbar. Skateraw is about 5 miles along the route (2 to 3 hours), and the round trip to the lighthouse is roughly 8 miles on almost level ground. Check whether access to the grounds is permitted before you go in, as the site is private; the tower is easy to admire from the track and the shore. What else is there to see nearby? Lime kilns. Eighteenth-century kilns line the route. The one at Skateraw was restored in 1979, and lime was once shipped from its small harbour. Geology. The rocky shore has some of the best limestone exposures in east-central Scotland, and fossils can be found in loose material. Birdlife. The headland draws migrating birds, so bring binoculars in spring and autumn. Beaches. Further on towards Thorntonloch there are more sandy bays. When should you visit? Spring and summer, on days without a strong onshore wind, are the most comfortable. Toilets are open all year at White Sands and Thorntonloch, and from May to September at Skateraw. Frequently asked questions Can you climb the tower? No. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 2005 and belongs to a private owner, so it is a view-from-outside stop. Who designed it? David A. Stevenson and Charles A. Stevenson, who built it in 1899–1901. How long is the walk? White Sands to Skateraw, passing the lighthouse, takes 2 to 3 hours one way. Are there toilets nearby? Yes: year-round at White Sands and Thorntonloch, May to September at Skateraw.

Seaton Carew lighthouse

Hartlepool

Seaton Carew Lighthouse in Hartlepool is a Grade II listed stone tower from the 1830s, now standing beside the water at Jackson's Landing in Hartlepool Marina. It began life as the High Light of a matched pair that steered ships towards the mouth of the River Tees. What is the story behind it? In 1838 the Tees Navigation Company, feeling the pressure of the growing docks at West Hartlepool, set out to improve access to the Tees. At Seaton Carew it built two leading lights: a Low Light showing red and a High Light showing a steady white beam. They entered service in 1839. A captain who saw the two lights stacked in line knew the ship was on a safe course into the channel. The High Light is credited to James Johnston, the company's engineer. The pair went out of use before the end of the 19th century. The Low Light was pulled down around 1900-1902 to widen the road for the seafront tramway. The High Light survived but stood idle, eventually hemmed in by the Bachelor Robertson tin works, which opened in 1916 on what is now the Longhill industrial area. Why is it in the marina today? The High Light was listed Grade II in 1985. In 1995 it was passed to Hartlepool Borough Council, and the Teesside Development Corporation moved the structure to its present spot at Jackson's Landing. Sources give its height anywhere from about 19 to 21 metres, so treat any single figure as approximate. What can you see? A slim stone column set against yachts and quayside. It is a landmark to admire from outside rather than a lighthouse you can climb. It fits easily into a walk around the marina and the nearby Hartlepool attractions. How do you get there? The marina is in central Hartlepool, a short distance from the railway station, with trains from Middlesbrough, Sunderland and (with a change) Newcastle. Drivers will find car parks nearby. The village of Seaton Carew, which gave the lighthouse its name, lies about 3 km south and offers a wide beach and promenade. When should you go? The tower stands in the open, so it can be seen year-round. Clear summer days are the most pleasant, and low evening sun brings out the colour of the stone. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside? No. It is a historic column viewed from the outside. Is this the same as Heugh Lighthouse? No. Heugh Lighthouse is a separate structure on the Headland in Hartlepool. Is it still in Seaton Carew? No. It originally stood inland near Windermere Road and has been in Hartlepool Marina since the 1990s. Is there an entrance fee? No, it stands in a public space.

Rampside Lighthouse

Barrow-in-Furness

Rampside Lighthouse is a tall brick navigation tower on the shore at Rampside, on the southern edge of Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria, north-west England. Locals know it as "the Needle", and official records call it the Rampside Leading Light. It overlooks Morecambe Bay, close to where the road to Roa Island begins. What is it and why was it built? The tower dates from around 1875 and worked as a leading light: ships lined it up with a second beacon and followed that line to stay in the safe channel. It was number 4 of 13 such lights set out around Barrow as the port grew with the town's steel and shipbuilding trade. The others, including those on Foulney Island and at Carr Lane on Walney, have been demolished. Rampside is the only one still standing. It was listed Grade II in 1991. The official list entry calls it "Number 4 Leading Light on Foreshore Near Rampside Hall". What will you see? The tower rises roughly 20 metres and is built of red and yellow brick, which gives it a banded look against the flat shoreline and the wide sands of the bay. You cannot go inside, so this is a stop for viewing and photography, best at sunrise or sunset. Next door stands the Concle Inn, an early 19th-century pub that is also Grade II listed. The village railway station was originally called Concle and became Rampside in 1869, before closing in 1936 along with the line to Piel. How do you get there, and what else is nearby? Rampside lies a few miles south-east of central Barrow, reachable by car or local bus. From the lighthouse the road runs onto Roa Island across a causeway about a mile long. On the island you will find the lifeboat station, with views across to Piel Castle on its own small island. When should you go? Any time of year works. Early morning and evening give the softest light, and at high tide the water comes close to the shore. Bring a windproof layer, since the bay is often breezy. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside the lighthouse? No. It is viewed from outside and is a Grade II listed structure. How old is it? It was built around 1875, so it is over 140 years old. What makes it special? It is the only survivor of 13 leading lights built around the port of Barrow. What else is close by? The Concle Inn, the Roa Island causeway, the lifeboat station and views of Piel Castle.

South Stack Lighthouse

Penrhosfeilw

South Stack Lighthouse sits on a small rocky islet off the north-west tip of Holy Island, close to Holyhead and the hamlet of Penrhosfeilw on Anglesey, Wales. The white tower, completed in 1809, is among the island's most photographed landmarks, and reaching it means a long stairway down the cliff and a footbridge across a deep gully. Where does it come from? Daniel Alexander, consulting engineer to Trinity House, designed the lighthouse, and Joseph Nelson built it. It was the first lighthouse Alexander worked on. The light guided ships heading for Holyhead harbour across the Irish Sea, where reefs and strong tidal streams off the island's western cape had long caused wrecks. The tower was raised and given a new lantern in 1874, the light was electrified in 1938, and the station was automated in 1984. The lighthouse and its former keepers' quarters hold Grade II listed status from Cadw (listed in 1971), and the Welsh heritage record Coflein catalogues the site under number 41288. How do you get there? From the RSPB car park at the cliff top, a stone stairway leads down to the water. Guides put it at roughly 400 steps, with benches along the way. A footbridge crosses to the islet; the current one dates from 1998 and replaced an earlier suspension bridge. The return climb is the hard part, so allow time and wear sturdy shoes. The route is not suited to anyone with significant mobility difficulties. What can you see and do? Tours of the interior are run by South Stack Ynys Lawd Ltd under licence from Trinity House. You can look round the former engine room and climb the tower. Climbers must be at least 1.1 m tall, and children must manage the stairs on their own. Tickets are sold on the day from the kiosk in the RSPB car park next to the cafe, at least an hour before a tour starts. Opening hours and prices change, so check the operator's website first. Tours depend on the weather and can be cancelled at short notice. The coastline is worth the trip even if the tower is closed. The surrounding cliffs form the RSPB Ynys Lawd reserve, where guillemots, razorbills and puffins breed in spring and choughs, rare members of the crow family, can be seen all year. The reserve has its own visitor centre, separate from the lighthouse tours. When should you visit? Spring and early summer suit birdwatchers, when the cliff colonies are busiest. Afternoon and sunset light is best for photographs. In strong wind or thick fog the tower may be shut, leaving a cliff walk and birdwatching as the main options. What else is nearby? Holyhead and its port are only a few kilometres away. The cafe by the RSPB car park is handy for a rest before or after the stairs. Frequently asked questions Can you drive to South Stack Lighthouse? Only as far as the cliff-top car park. From there you walk down the steps and across the bridge. Can you climb the tower? Yes, on a guided visit when the weather allows. The minimum height is 1.1 m. Where do you buy tickets? At the kiosk in the RSPB car park on the day, at least an hour before the tour. Is the lighthouse still working? Yes. It has been automated since 1984 and still serves as a navigation light.

Hilbre Island Lighthouse

West Kirby

Hilbre Island Lighthouse sits on Hilbre Island in the mouth of the River Dee, a few kilometres off West Kirby on the Wirral peninsula, England. The tower itself is small, white and steel with a red lantern. The real draw is the journey: you reach it on foot across the sands, but only when the tide allows. What is this lighthouse? The light was established in 1927 by the Mersey Docks and Harbour Board to mark the approach to the Dee estuary. Trinity House has run it since 1973. In 1995 the old acetylene supply gave way to solar power, so the light is fully automatic and unstaffed. It shows a red flashing signal. You cannot go inside, but you can walk right up to the base. We found no National Heritage List entry from Historic England for the lighthouse. Wirral's local heritage list does cover the ruined lifeboat station elsewhere on the same island. How do you get to Hilbre Island? Wirral Council recommends one route only: the walk from Dee Lane in West Kirby, which takes roughly 45 minutes to an hour each way. Do not set out from Hoylake, where a deep, muddy channel makes the crossing dangerous. The island is reachable at low tide only. Leave West Kirby at least three hours before high water, and allow an extra half hour on very large tides of about 9.5 m or more. Tide times are posted on the noticeboard at Dee Lane and on the council website, in GMT. Strong winds can bring the water in early and fast, and the RNLI regularly recovers walkers cut off by the tide. If you get into trouble, call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. Never attempt the walk in darkness or fog. What else is there to see? The Hilbre Islands form a local nature reserve within the Dee Estuary Site of Special Scientific Interest. The name comes from a medieval chapel of St Hildeburgh. On the island you will find the ruins of the old lifeboat station and views across the estuary to Wales. When should you go and what should you bring? Choose settled weather and a day with a moderate tide. There are no shops, fresh water or shelter on the islands, so bring food, drink and warm layers. Dogs must be kept on a short lead. Plan on about five hours in total, including the walk both ways. Frequently asked questions Can you walk to Hilbre Island lighthouse? Yes, across the sand from West Kirby, but only at low tide and only via the Dee Lane route. How long does the walk take? About 45 minutes to an hour one way. Can you go inside the lighthouse? No. It is an automated Trinity House tower, viewed from outside only. What if the tide catches me? Do not try to wade back. Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.

St. Ann's Head Lighthouse

St Ann's Head Lighthouse marks the south-western tip of the Dale peninsula in Pembrokeshire, Wales. It guards the western approach to Milford Haven, one of the deepest natural harbours in Britain, and sits inside Pembrokeshire Coast National Park. What is St Ann's Head Lighthouse? It is a working navigation light that guides vessels entering the Milford Haven Waterway and steers them clear of rocky shoals and Crow's Rock at the mouth of the channel. Trinity House, the lighthouse authority for England, Wales and the Channel Islands, approved the first light on this headland in 1714, and a local landowner built the original tower. What is its history? The headland once carried two lights, a high one and a low one, which together gave mariners a leading line. The present tower, formerly called St Ann's Low Light, dates from the mid-nineteenth century; sources give either 1841 or 1844. Its construction was overseen by John Knott, a senior keeper with Trinity House. The lamp originally burned oil, and mains electricity arrived in 1958. The station was automated in 1998, so no keepers live here any more. The terrace of former keepers' cottages was sold off and some of it is now let as holiday accommodation. Along the same stretch of coast, Great Castle Head carries a leading light from 1870, designed by Trinity House engineer James Douglass. In 1996 the tanker Sea Empress ran aground on a reef below the headland, one of the best-known shipping accidents in the history of the waterway. Can you go inside? No. The lighthouse is not open to visitors, so you see it from outside. It is recorded by the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales (Coflein). What will you see here? The headland looks out over the mouth of Milford Haven, open sea and the cliffs of the Dale peninsula. It suits photographers who want the tower set against the coast, and anyone who likes to watch ships heading into the harbour. The whole area lies within the national park, so a walk here pairs maritime history with sweeping coastal views. How do you get there? The lighthouse lies south of the village of Dale. You drive through Dale along Pembrokeshire's country roads to reach the headland. It stands roughly five miles east of Skokholm island, which can be seen from this part of the coast. The coordinates are about 51.681 N, 5.174 W. When should you visit? The light shines all year, but a walk on the headland is best on a clear day, when the harbour entrance and nearby islands stand out. Summer gives long daylight hours, while in winter you can watch the light take over at dusk. Frequently asked questions Where is St Ann's Head Lighthouse? At the south-western end of the Dale peninsula in Pembrokeshire, south of the village of Dale, at the entrance to Milford Haven. Can you climb the tower? No. The lighthouse is active and automated, and the interior is closed to the public. How long has there been a light here? Approval for the first light was granted in 1714. The current tower dates from the mid-1800s, with sources citing 1841 or 1844. Can you stay in the old keepers' cottages? Part of the terrace of keepers' cottages was sold and is now used as holiday lets, so a longer stay at the headland is possible.

Monkstone Lighthouse

Cardiff

Monkstone Lighthouse is a red tower rising from a submerged reef in the Bristol Channel, out in the Severn Estuary off the coast of Cardiff and Penarth in South Wales. You cannot land on it or reach it on an ordinary cruise, but on a clear day it is easy to spot from the clifftops and seafront, which makes it a worthwhile extra for a coastal walk. Where exactly is Monkstone Lighthouse? The light stands on Monkstone rock, a reef a few kilometres off Lavernock Point and roughly five nautical miles south of Cardiff. It sits within the Vale of Glamorgan. The reef is covered at high water, so it needed marking early on. The Bristol Channel has one of the largest tidal ranges in the world, and ships bound for Cardiff, Newport and Bristol pass this way constantly. What is its history? The first structure, put up in 1839, was an unlit cast-iron beacon. In 1859 a granite tower about 45 feet (roughly 14 m) tall took its place. In 1925 the tower was strengthened with a circular cast-iron tower and gallery, and an acetylene-fuelled lantern was installed, so it only became a proper navigation light then. In 1993 the iron tower and lantern gave way to a red fibreglass-reinforced plastic structure, and the light was converted to solar power. The older masonry with its iron bands still forms the core of the structure. Sources disagree on which moment counts as the light's start, so you will see both 1839 and 1859 quoted. Is it still working? Yes. Trinity House, the body responsible for navigation aids around England and Wales, looks after it. The light flashes every 5 seconds from 13 m above sea level and has a nominal range of 12 nautical miles. It is monitored and controlled remotely from Trinity House's centre in Harwich, Essex, so nobody lives in it. A refurbishment in 2016 switched the light off for a while; it returned to service on 1 July 2016. How can you see Monkstone Lighthouse? It stands in open water with no landing stage and no public access, so all viewing is from a distance: From the shore at Penarth – the esplanade and cliffs above the bay give a view in good visibility. The coastal walk towards Lavernock Point is the natural route. From Lavernock Point – the headland is closest to the reef and looks out across the estuary to Flat Holm, Steep Holm and the English shore. From a boat – trips around Cardiff Bay and nearby waters can get you closer, but ask the operator whether the route passes the reef before booking. Strong tides and wind lead to cancellations. Bring binoculars or a camera with a zoom lens: from the shore the tower looks like a small red dot on the horizon. When should you go? Pick a calm day with good visibility, ideally in the morning or shortly before sunset when low light falls across the water. After dark you can watch the light flash, which some visitors enjoy. In haze or fog the reef disappears from view. Check the forecast before heading to the cliffs, as the coast is exposed to wind. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside Monkstone Lighthouse? No. The tower stands on a reef surrounded by sea and is not open to visitors. You can look at it from the shore or from the water. Where is the best place to see it from? Most people choose the Penarth esplanade and cliffs, or Lavernock Point, which is nearest to the reef. Who runs the lighthouse? Trinity House handles navigation marking here and supervises the light remotely. Does it shine at night? Yes, it gives one flash every 5 seconds, with a nominal range of 12 nautical miles.

Eyre Point Lighthouse

Eyre Point Lighthouse marks the south-eastern tip of Raasay, one of the Inner Hebrides, in the Highland council area of Scotland. It is a small, functional light rather than a landmark tower, and it suits the quiet, little-visited coastline around it. What kind of lighthouse is it? The present tower is about 5 metres (16 ft) tall: a square, skeletal frame clad in white aluminium panels that serve as a daymark. The light is run by the Northern Lighthouse Board, the body responsible for navigation aids around Scotland, and it is still in service. It flashes once every 3 seconds, visible for 9 nautical miles in its white sector and 6 in the red. Do not expect the tall stone tower of Scottish postcards. This is a working aid for vessels using the narrow waters between Raasay and its neighbours. What is its history? A light was first shown here in 1893, from a small masonry tower. Later structures replaced it, and sources disagree on the dates: one records a cylindrical tower in 1938, another a new structure in 2001. Historic Environment Scotland's record classes the site as a 19th-century lighthouse. Where exactly is it? Eyre Point is a low headland about 3 km (2 miles) south-east of the village of Inverarish, at roughly 57.334 N, 6.021 W. From the point you look across Caol Mor towards the island of Scalpay. Raasay is reached by ferry from Sconser on Skye. What else is nearby? About 80 metres north of the lighthouse, on an old raised beach, lie the remains of a Hebridean-type chambered cairn with a megalithic stone cist at its centre. It is recorded in Canmore, the national archaeology database, and shows how long people have used this shore. The point works well for a quiet shoreline walk, watching boats in the sound and photographing the view towards Scalpay. There is no commercial facility here, so bring water and a warm layer; Hebridean weather changes quickly. When should you go? Late spring to early autumn gives the longest days and the best light. In summer dusk comes very late, leaving plenty of time by the water. Winter days are short and the wind stronger, which makes longer coastal walks harder. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside Eyre Point Lighthouse? No. It is an active Northern Lighthouse Board station and the roughly 5 m tower is not open to visitors. You view it from outside. What does the light look like at night? It flashes every 3 seconds. The white sector carries 9 nautical miles and the red sector 6. Are there other historic sites close by? Yes. About 80 m to the north is a prehistoric chambered cairn with a stone cist, listed in Canmore. How do you get to Raasay? By ferry from Sconser on Skye. The nearest village is Inverarish, around 3 km from the point.

Black Nore Lighthouse

Portishead

Black Nore Lighthouse stands on a rocky headland in Portishead, Somerset, where the Severn Estuary widens into the Bristol Channel. Painted white and made of cast iron, it dates from 1894 and has been a Grade II listed building since 2011. It is one of the landmarks of the coast path around the town. What is the story behind Black Nore Lighthouse? Trinity House, the body responsible for navigation marks around the coast, built the tower to help vessels reach and leave the Bristol and Avonmouth docks. The case for a light here had been clear since 1838, when the steamship SS Great Western ran aground off Nore Point. The light ran on gas, and the site had its own storage tank so the beam would not fail. Its lens gave two flashes every ten seconds. The station was automated in the 20th century and upgraded around 2000. Trinity House decommissioned it in 2010. Demolition was on the cards, but a local campaign saved the tower, and it is now held by a community organisation. It no longer serves shipping. What will you see there? A slim white tower with a lantern on top rises from a small rise above the water, and it photographs well from the path. The building is privately used, so access inside is limited. Visit to enjoy it from the coastal route and the nearby viewpoints. From the headland you look across the wide estuary to the far shore, and late afternoon light makes it a good spot for sunset photos. How do you get to the lighthouse? The most popular walk starts at Lake Grounds car park on the Esplanade in Portishead. An easy path follows the coast past Battery Point lighthouse to Black Nore, about 3.5 miles there and back. You can also start at Kilkenny Fields on Beach Road West, pass the yacht club, and loop back through residential streets via Pinecroft and Nore Park Drive. The closest parking is at the north end of Nichols Road, roughly a mile west of the town centre. Check charges and restrictions with North Somerset Council. When is the best time to visit? The walk works in any season, but choose a dry day: the path can be muddy and the wind off the estuary is strong. Late afternoon gives the best light. In summer, daytime parking at Kilkenny Fields is easier. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside the lighthouse? No. Access is limited, so you see it from outside, from the path and the surroundings. Is the light still working? No. Trinity House took it out of service in 2010. How long is the walk from Portishead centre? The round trip from Lake Grounds is about 3.5 miles, usually an hour and a half to two hours at an easy pace. Is this the same as Battery Point lighthouse? No. Battery Point is a different, smaller structure in Portishead that you pass on the way.

Crow Point Lighthouse

North Devon

Crow Point Lighthouse sits on a sandy spit in North Devon, where the joint mouth of the Rivers Taw and Torridge opens into the Bristol Channel. It is a small unmanned light, dating from 1954, on the southern edge of the Braunton Burrows dune system, facing the village of Appledore across the water. What does the lighthouse do? Trinity House, the body responsible for navigation marks around England, built it without a keeper. Its job is to guide vessels into the Taw-Torridge estuary, where shifting sandbanks make clear marking essential. The light is about 7.6 metres above mean high water, and one source gives the tower as roughly 25 feet tall with a range of around 5 miles. What is it like, and where does it come from? Do not expect a classic stone tower with a gallery. This is a modest steel structure, and the appeal lies in the setting rather than the architecture. It first ran on acetylene gas, switched to electric power in 1978 and to solar power in 1987. Today Trinity House monitors it remotely from its planning centre in Harwich, Essex. It replaced the earlier Braunton lights: a tall tower built in 1820 (about 86 feet) and a lower lighthouse. The old tower lost its keepers in 1945 when the structure became unstable, and it was removed in the 1950s, though sources disagree on the exact year. What else is there to see nearby? Crow Point lies inside Braunton Burrows, one of the largest dune systems in Britain and part of the North Devon UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. From the point you get a wide beach, the open estuary and views across to Appledore. It suits a long walk, birdwatching and sunrise or sunset photography. How do you get there? You walk, crossing the dunes of Braunton Burrows. There is no ticket office or opening hours, and the interior is closed to visitors. Bring water and sturdy shoes: the ground is sandy, exposed to wind, and there are no shops along the way. When should you go? Late spring, summer and early autumn on a calm day are the most pleasant. If you plan to follow the shoreline, check tide times first, because water levels in the estuary change fast. FAQ Can you go inside Crow Point Lighthouse? No. It is an automatic, unmanned structure run by Trinity House and not open to the public. When was it built? In 1954, replacing the older Braunton lights. Is it still in operation? Yes. It serves as a navigation mark for ships entering the Taw-Torridge estuary and has run on solar power since 1987. Where exactly is it? At the southern end of Braunton Burrows, on the northern shore of the Taw-Torridge estuary in Devon, England.

Ardmore Point Lighthouse

Ardmore Point Lighthouse is a small automated light on the north coast of the Isle of Mull, in Argyll and Bute, Scotland. It marks Ardmore Point, at the western entrance to the Sound of Mull, west of the town of Tobermory, and is run by the Northern Lighthouse Board, the body responsible for navigation lights around Scotland. What kind of lighthouse is it? Don't expect a stone tower with a keeper's cottage. A light has operated on the point since 1958, and the present structure went up in 2003. It is a slim skeleton tower clad in white aluminium and glass-fibre panels, much like the light at Ardtornish across the water. The lamp sits roughly 17 metres (about 60 feet) above the sea, shows two white flashes every 10 seconds and carries about 8 nautical miles. It guides vessels entering the Sound of Mull. Can you go inside? No. This is a working, unmanned navigation aid, so there is no museum, ticket desk or tour. You see it from outside, and the setting is the draw: open water, the sound and the facing shores. How do you get there? The point is reached on foot via the Ardmore Shore Walk, which starts near Tobermory. Walkers describe an easy route on forest tracks and paths, around 7 km with about 180 m of climbing, taking anywhere from one to a few hours depending on pace and stops. A side track leads out to the headland with the light. Following the shoreline itself means scrambling over rocks, so stick to the paths. You can lengthen the outing by continuing towards Glengorm Castle. Bring waterproof footwear, as weather on the Hebridean coast turns quickly. What else is nearby? This stretch of north Mull is good for wildlife. Walkers scan the shore for otters, and white-tailed sea eagles, Britain's largest bird of prey, feed along the coast. Otters can be elusive, so bring binoculars and patience. Ranger-led trips are available through Mull Eagle Watch. When should you visit? The point can be visited year-round, but late spring and summer are the easiest, with long daylight. Evening gives the best photographic light as the sun sinks over the sea. In winter paths get muddy and days are short. Frequently asked questions Can I enter Ardmore Point Lighthouse? No. It is an automated Northern Lighthouse Board light closed to visitors. You can walk to the headland and view it from outside. Is it the same as the Rubha nan Gall lighthouse? No. Rubha nan Gall is an older stone lighthouse first lit in 1857, about 1.5 km north of Tobermory. Ardmore Point is a separate light on Mull's north coast. Is this the Ardmore Point on the Clyde? No. The name recurs in Scotland and Ireland. This lighthouse stands on Mull in Argyll and Bute. How long is the walk? The Ardmore Shore Walk is about 7 km and takes from one to a few hours, depending on your pace.

Weavers Point Lighthouse

Weavers Point Lighthouse stands on the northern side of the entrance to Loch Maddy on North Uist, in Scotland's Outer Hebrides. The headland is known in Gaelic as Rubha an Fhigheadair. The light is active but closed to visitors, so it is a spot for lighthouse enthusiasts and coastline lovers who are happy to look from a distance. What kind of lighthouse is it? The Northern Lighthouse Board, Scotland's general lighthouse authority, operates the light. The present tower dates from 1980: a square structure about 20 metres tall, clad in white aluminium panels, with the lantern on top. It flashes white once every 3 seconds and can be seen for roughly 7 nautical miles. It is automated and has no resident keepers. The headland carried a light well before that. An 1891 notice in the London Gazette mentions a light at Weaver Point on the north side of the Loch Maddy entrance. Sources disagree on the details of the earlier installation, so the firm date is 1980 for the present tower only. Can you go inside? No. The station belongs to its operator and is not open to the public. The Western Isles heritage record lists no protected status for it, and visitor accounts describe the overland approach as a long walk across rough, boggy ground. From the sea, the landing involves steps cut into the cliff, which is a job for authorised crews. Most visitors will have to settle for a view from a boat or from the distant shore. How do you get to the area? The nearest village is Lochmaddy, North Uist's main port, which receives the ferry from Uig on Skye. A car is the easiest way around the island. Before setting off on foot towards the headland, check the forecast and the ground conditions: there are no waymarked paths to the lighthouse and the coast is exposed to wind. When should you go? Late spring to early autumn offers long days and calmer weather for exploring the Hebrides. Winter brings short days and frequent gales. In the evening you may catch the beam from around Lochmaddy. Frequently asked questions Where is Weavers Point Lighthouse? North of the entrance to Loch Maddy, on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides. When was the current tower built? In 1980. An older light is mentioned on the headland as early as 1891. Can visitors tour the lighthouse? No. It is unavailable to tourists and run automatically by the Northern Lighthouse Board. What is its light character? One white flash every 3 seconds, with a range of about 7 nautical miles.

Dubh Artach Lighthouse

Dubh Artach Lighthouse rises from a lonely basalt skerry off Scotland's west coast, in Argyll and Bute, roughly 24 km south-west of the Ross of Mull. It ranks among the most isolated lighthouses in the British Isles: the tower climbs straight out of Atlantic swell, with no island beneath it to speak of. What is Dubh Artach? The rock lies about 29 km west of Colonsay and 24 km from the Ross of Mull. Thomas and David Stevenson, members of the engineering family behind many Scottish lighthouses, designed and built the tower, and its lamp was first lit on 1 November 1872. It stands about 44 m (around 145 ft) tall, an imposing height for such a small reef. The older spelling, Dhu Heartach, was replaced by the current form in 1964. Why was it built here? Reefs south-west of Mull had long claimed ships working the Scottish west coast. Building on a tiny, wave-swept skerry was among the hardest jobs the Northern Lighthouse Board ever took on. Dubh Artach was also Britain's first isolated rock lighthouse to burn paraffin. What was the role of Erraid? Construction was run from Erraid, a small island at the south-western tip of Mull. Stone was worked and shipped from there, and once the light was finished the island became the shore station, with cottages for keepers' families and the boat crew who supplied the rock. Traces of the station can still be seen, and the island is reachable on foot across a causeway exposed at low tide. Is it a protected building? Yes. Historic Environment Scotland lists it as a Category A building (reference LB12320), designated in 1971 in the parish of Kilfinichen and Kilvickeon. It also has a Canmore record (ID 123144). The light was automated in 1971, so no keepers live on the rock, and the Northern Lighthouse Board looks after it. Can you visit? No. The rock is remote, battered by heavy seas, and landings happen only during lighthouse-service operations. For travellers, the practical way to connect with its story is a trip to the Ross of Mull and Erraid. Take the ferry from Oban to Craignure on Mull, then follow the road along the Ross of Mull to Fionnphort. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside Dubh Artach Lighthouse? No. It is automated and closed to visitors. Who built it and when? Thomas and David Stevenson; the light was first lit on 1 November 1872. Where exactly is it? About 24 km south-west of the Ross of Mull, in Argyll and Bute, on a basalt skerry in the Atlantic. Where can I see traces of its history? On Erraid, the former shore station at the south-western end of Mull.

Sgeirean Dubha Lighthouse

Sgeirean Dubha Lighthouse is a small sea light on a rocky islet in the Sound of Kerrera, a short distance from Oban in Argyll and Bute on Scotland's west coast. The Gaelic name roughly means "the black skerries". It sits at about 56.38° N, 5.54° W and is still a working navigation aid. Where is Sgeirean Dubha? The islet lies in the narrow channel that separates the island of Kerrera from the mainland. This waterway is one of the approaches to Oban, the main ferry hub for the Inner Hebrides, so ferries, yachts and fishing boats all pass the light. What does the lighthouse look like? It was established in 1892, and the present tower dates from that year. It is a round white tower on a concrete base, standing out against dark rock and water. The light shows two white flashes every 12 seconds. It is automated and run by the Northern Lighthouse Board, the body responsible for Scotland's lighthouses. Some lists record it as Dubh Sgeir (Kerrera). Can you visit it? No. The tower stands on a wave-washed rock, with no museum, no tours and no landing arrangements for visitors. You view it from the shore or from the water. How to see it Start in Oban. You can look across from the shore of Kerrera, which is reached by a short passenger ferry from near Gallanach, or from a ferry or sightseeing boat leaving Oban. After dark, watch for the distinctive double flash. For photos, low sun and calm water work best, and you will want a telephoto lens because the islet is some way offshore. What else is nearby? Oban is known for seafood, its distillery and the harbour panorama. A walk on Kerrera leads to the ruins of Gylen Castle. Ferries from Oban serve Mull, Coll, Tiree and other islands, passing more Scottish lighthouses and sea marks on the way. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside Sgeirean Dubha Lighthouse? No. It is an active, unmanned light on a rock and is closed to visitors. When was it built? In 1892, and the tower from that period still stands. What is its light signal? Two white flashes every 12 seconds. Where is the best place to see it? From Oban, from the shore of Kerrera, or from a boat in the sound.

Scalasaig Lighthouse

Scalasaig

Scalasaig Lighthouse is a small harbour light at Scalasaig, the main port of Colonsay in the Inner Hebrides (Argyll and Bute, Scotland). It is no postcard tower on a headland. It is a modest navigation aid, and its story says a good deal about shipping around the island and about how locals look after their heritage. Where is the lighthouse? Scalasaig sits on Colonsay's east coast, in the bay where the ferries berth. The light stands by the harbour near the ferry terminal, so you pass it as soon as you step ashore. The coordinates are roughly 56.067° N, 6.182° W. The village is tiny, with a shop, a hotel and a few other services, which makes a short waterfront stroll the natural way to see it. What does the current light look like? The present structure dates from 2003. It is an 8 m white metal tower, solar powered and fully automated. The focal height is about 5 m, and the character is two flashes every ten seconds, showing white or red depending on the sector. The Northern Lighthouse Board, the authority responsible for marking the coasts of Scotland and the Isle of Man, operates it. There is no interior to visit; you view it from outside. What is the history of the light? The first light here went up in 1903. David A. Stevenson designed it for the Northern Lighthouse Board, and it burned oil. Islanders knew it in Gaelic as "An cruisgen". In 1957 a gas light on a square building took its place. When that building was demolished in 2003, the original 1903 lantern was dismantled and put into storage on the island. Colonsay has not forgotten it. The Colonsay and Oronsay Heritage Trust won a grant to restore the original lamp. A specialist blacksmith was commissioned to rebuild the lantern room, with plans to re-erect it on the island. Updates from 2014 and 2015 spoke of its return to Colonsay in March 2015. Whether it now stands in public is worth asking about locally. In the walled garden at Colonsay House you can also find an optic that came from the Rubha a' Mhàil lighthouse on the Sound of Islay. What else marks the harbour? A 2024 Notice to Mariners reported that the light marking the north side of the pier head at the ferry terminal in Scalasaig Bay, along with most of its pole, had gone missing. A temporary buoy with the same light characteristics marks the spot while a longer-term solution is assessed. If lighthouses interest you, take time to explore the island's coast as well, since walking routes lead to open cliffs and beaches. When should you visit? Late spring to early autumn is the easiest period: days are long and ferry timetables are fuller. In summer the evenings stay light well into the night, so you can enjoy the harbour and the lighthouse unhurriedly. Outside the season, Hebridean weather can be changeable and sailings sometimes get cancelled in strong wind. Frequently asked questions How do I get to Scalasaig? You arrive on Colonsay by ferry, and Scalasaig is the island's passenger port. Check timetables and book with CalMac, especially in summer when places fill quickly. Can I go inside the lighthouse? No. The current tower is an automated Northern Lighthouse Board installation and is seen from the quayside. Is this the original 1903 lighthouse? No. The present light dates from 2003. The 1903 original was dismantled and stored, and the local heritage trust worked on restoring it. How long should I allow? The light itself takes only a few minutes. Plan a longer stay around the harbour and Scalasaig, because it is the starting point for exploring the rest of the island.

Toward Point Lighthouse

Toward

Toward Point Lighthouse guards the southern tip of the Cowal peninsula near the village of Toward in Argyll and Bute, western Scotland. Built in 1812, it is among the oldest lights on the Firth of Clyde and marks the spot where Loch Striven opens into the estuary. What is this place? The tower was designed by Robert Stevenson, a member of the engineering family behind many of Scotland's lighthouses, for the Cumbrae Lighthouse Trust, the body responsible for lighting the Clyde shipping lanes. It is a tapering round tower of dressed stone, about 19 metres tall. A local landowner, James Lamont of Knockdow, is credited with supplying labour, stone and timber. Since 1980 the lighthouse has been a Category B listed building on the Historic Environment Scotland register. How did the light change over time? The first lamps burned oil. In 1930 a new optical system, recommended by members of the Stevenson family, was fitted; the same design later appeared at several Northern Lighthouse Board stations. Automation came in the second half of the 20th century, with sources giving either 1969 or 1974. A white building on the shore once housed the fog signal, driven first by steam and later by diesel engines. It was switched off in the 1990s. Control passed in 1966 to the Clyde Port Authority, successor to the earlier trusts. What will you see nearby? The headland offers broad views over the Firth of Clyde and the islands across the water, with the mainland coast visible on clear days. You also get the tower itself and the former keepers' buildings. The cottages were sold in 2012; some are now a private home, and one source says others are let as holiday accommodation. How do you get there? Toward lies at the southern end of Cowal, roughly 8 miles south of Dunoon. From Glasgow, drive to the Clyde ferry crossing (for example Gourock to Dunoon) and continue along the coastal road. Public transport is limited, so a car is the practical choice. Frequently asked questions When was Toward Point Lighthouse built? In 1812, to a design by Robert Stevenson. Can you climb the tower? We found no official information on tours of the interior. The site is in operational use and surrounded by buildings, so check current access rules with the operator or the local council before you go. Is the lighthouse staffed? No. It is automated, and the keepers' cottages were sold in 2012. Who owns it? The Clyde Port Authority, successor to the Cumbrae Lighthouse Trust and the Clyde Lighthouses Trust. Is it a protected building? Yes, it is a Category B listed building on the Historic Environment Scotland register.

Ruadh Sgeir Lighthouse

Ruadh Sgeir Lighthouse is a small automatic light on a rocky islet in the Sound of Jura, off the coast of Argyll and Bute in western Scotland. It sits out at sea between the northern tip of the island of Jura and the mainland shore, close to the approach to Loch Crinan. It suits sailors, landscape photographers and anyone curious about maritime engineering, rather than visitors looking for a staffed attraction. Where is Ruadh Sgeir? The islet lies in the northern part of the Sound of Jura, at roughly 56.07 N, 5.66 W. To the west you see the hills of Jura, and to the east the Argyll coast. The light stands near Loch Crinan, the western entrance of the Crinan Canal, which gives boats a shortcut between the Atlantic and the Firth of Clyde. Do not confuse it with Skervuile Lighthouse, which stands on a different rock in the same waters. The Canmore record keeps the two clearly apart. What is its history? A first light appeared on the islet in 1906. It was designed by David A. and Charles Stevenson, members of the well-known lighthouse-engineering family, and the Northern Lighthouse Board announced the unmanned station to mariners in November 1906. The original light ran on acetylene gas. The present tower dates from 1983 and replaced the older structure. It is built of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), and Historic Environment Scotland notes that it was among the first towers of this type. In 2002 the power supply switched to solar. The light now runs automatically with no resident crew. In December 2020 the lighthouse was added to Scotland's listed buildings as a Category C structure (reference LB52575). The listing rests mainly on the tower's place in the story of GRP lighthouse construction. What kind of light does it show? The lamp is a white LED that flashes once every six seconds and can be seen for eight nautical miles. For yachts and boats crossing the Sound of Jura, and for vessels using the Crinan Canal shortcut, it is a useful navigation mark, especially after dark. How can you see it? Ruadh Sgeir is a sea-washed rock, so there is no walking route and no access inside. The practical options are: a yacht or small-boat trip through the Sound of Jura, including from the Crinan area, boat tours on the Argyll coast that pass through the strait, a look from the shore with binoculars or a telephoto lens when visibility is good. Late spring and summer are the best seasons, with long days and calmer seas. Weather on Scotland's west coast changes fast, so check the forecast and the tidal streams in the strait before you set out. What else is nearby? Argyll offers the Crinan Canal and its locks, the island of Jura with its distillery and the Paps of Jura, and many sea lochs and peninsulas for walking. The lighthouse fits easily into a day on the water along this stretch of coast. Frequently asked questions Can I go inside Ruadh Sgeir Lighthouse? No. It is an unmanned light on a rock surrounded by sea. You can view it from the water or from a distance. Who built it? David A. and Charles Stevenson designed the first light in 1906. The current plastic tower went up in 1983. Is it a listed building? Yes. Historic Environment Scotland listed it in December 2020 in Category C. How does its light work? A white LED flashes every six seconds and is visible for eight nautical miles. It runs on solar power.

Lighthouse, Ayr Harbour

Ayr

Ayr Harbour Lighthouse stands in the town of Ayr, in South Ayrshire on Scotland's west coast. It is a four-stage sandstone tower that once marked the entrance to the harbour where the River Ayr runs out into the Firth of Clyde. For anyone interested in Scotland's maritime past, it makes an easy and well-documented stop on a walk around the quays. What is this lighthouse and where did it come from? Robert Paton designed the tower, and it dates from 1841. A keeper's cottage was added around 1863. The tower belongs to a wider protected harbour complex: Historic Environment Scotland lists it at Category B (reference LB21592) together with the piers, breakwater, harbour walls and Griffin Dock. The listing was made in 1971 and last amended in 1981. Ayr Harbour has four lighthouses in all, two at the ends of the breakwaters and two range lights around the docks. Alongside the 1841 tower, the listing covers two cast-iron lighthouses from about 1880. One stands at the end of the South Pier and the other at the entrance to Griffin Dock, which was built between 1874 and 1881. According to Canmore, the leading lights are still in service. What will you see? The appeal lies in the contrast between two eras. Paton's stone tower with its cottage represents an early masonry design, while the cast-iron towers show how materials and engineering changed as the harbour expanded in the late nineteenth century. It is worth walking the waterfront to compare the silhouettes of all four lights. One listing site gives 1718 as the date of the first harbour light, but the best-recorded surviving structure is the 1841 tower. How do you get there? Ayr sits on the Firth of Clyde, and the River Ayr divides the town as it reaches the sea beside the harbour. The lighthouse is in the harbour area near the piers and docks. Search for "Ayr Harbour" on your map app to find the spot; the coordinates are roughly 55.469 N, 4.638 W. When should you visit? The lighthouse and the surrounding quayside are viewed from outside, so there are no opening hours to plan around. Pick a day with good visibility for photos and a walk along the piers. Scottish weather changes quickly, so bring a windproof layer. Can you stay in a lighthouse here? A lighthouse-accommodation website presents "Ayr Harbour Lighthouses" as a holiday listing. If you are thinking of staying, check availability and terms directly with the host, as offers can change. Frequently asked questions When was Ayr Harbour Lighthouse built? The tower designed by Robert Paton dates from 1841. The cottage was added around 1863, and the cast-iron harbour lights date from about 1880. Is it a listed building? Yes. Ayr Harbour, including its lighthouses, piers and Griffin Dock, is Category B listed by Historic Environment Scotland (LB21592). How many lighthouses does the harbour have? Four: two at the ends of the breakwaters and two around the docks. The listing describes the 1841 tower and two cast-iron lights from around 1880. Are the lights still working? According to Canmore, the leading lights at Ayr Harbour remain in use. Do you need a ticket? No. You view the structures from the publicly accessible harbour area, and the interiors are not part of a typical visit.

Gantock Rocks Light

Dunoon

Gantock Rocks Light is a small beacon tower standing on a reef just off the shore of Dunoon, in Argyll and Bute on Scotland's west coast. You can pick it out from the town's seafront and from ferries crossing the Firth of Clyde. Nobody can go inside, but it is a pleasing landmark of the bay and a quick stop for lighthouse fans. What is the Gantock Rocks Light? It is a fixed navigation beacon on a cluster of rocks near the entrance to the upper Firth of Clyde, a short way out from Dunoon. The tower dates from around 1886 and rises about 13 metres (44 ft). It shows a red flashing light every 6 seconds, visible for roughly 6 nautical miles, and is looked after by the port authority Clydeport. Canmore, Scotland's heritage record, classes it as a navigation beacon. The tower was repainted and maintained in 2018. Why was it built here? The Gantocks are a hazard lying close to the route that ships took to and from Glasgow. Warning mariners about them has a long history: the Cloch lighthouse across the water has shone since 1797, partly for this reason. In 1828 Robert Stevenson, the celebrated Scottish lighthouse engineer, drew up designs for beacons on the Gantocks and Captain's Bridges, and those drawings survive in the National Library of Scotland. The present tower from the 1880s is the outcome of that long concern for safe navigation. What has happened on the rocks? The MV Akka ran aground and was lost here on 9 April 1956. On 15 July 1977 the paddle steamer PS Waverley grounded on the rocks with 715 passengers aboard. Waverley still sails as a heritage excursion vessel, so a cruise may take you past the very spot. How can you see it? The beacon is sited on rocks in the water, so it is closed to visitors, with no tickets or opening hours. Good viewpoints are the Dunoon promenade and the area around the pier, where the tower is visible to the naked eye; binoculars or a zoom lens help with details. The coordinates are about 55.941 N, 4.918 W. Ferries across the Firth of Clyde pass close enough for a decent photo. When is the best time to look? The tower looks good in any season. At dusk and after dark you can watch the red flash repeating every 6 seconds. Clear days give the best views across to the far shore and the kindest light for photographs. What else is nearby? A stroll along the Dunoon seafront, pier and waterfront streets pairs easily with a look at the beacon. Toward Point Lighthouse lies a short drive away, and Cloch Lighthouse sits on the opposite shore, so lighthouse enthusiasts can build a full circuit around the Firth of Clyde. Frequently asked questions Can I visit the Gantock Rocks Light? No. It stands on rocks in the sea and works as an active navigation mark, so it can only be viewed from the shore or from the water. Where is the best place to see it? From the promenade and pier at Dunoon, or from a ferry on the Firth of Clyde. Is the light still in use? Yes. It gives a red flash every 6 seconds with a range of around 6 nautical miles. When was it built? Around 1886; the tower is about 13 metres tall.

Perch Light, Port Glasgow

Port Glasgow

Perch Light is a small lighthouse on a rock in the middle of the River Clyde, just off the shore of Port Glasgow in Inverclyde, Scotland. You cannot go inside, but it is one of the defining landmarks of this stretch of waterfront and is easy to see from the shoreside park. What is Perch Light? It is a cast-iron beacon tower built on a half-tide rock known simply as "the Perch". The structure is a slightly tapering, circular-section column on a four-step base, topped with a cylindrical lantern. The tower stands about 8 metres tall, with the light roughly 7 metres above the water. It shows a fixed green light with a range of around 9 nautical miles, marking the channel for ships heading upriver towards Glasgow. What is its history? The light was established in 1861 by the Clyde Lighthouses Trust, the body responsible for marking the river for shipping. A second light was set up at Steamboat Quay at the same time, and both were chequered cast-iron towers. The Perch was fed with gas piped out from the shore after the Trust built its gasworks there. The Canmore record describes the present tower as dating from around 1890, reached by a ladder from the rock and painted to match the West Quay shore light. How do you get there and where can you see it from? The light stands just offshore, opposite Coronation Park in Port Glasgow. There is no walking access and no entry: it is a working navigation aid on a rock that the tide covers. The best views are from the promenade and the park. Trains run from Glasgow Central to Port Glasgow on the Gourock line in about 35-40 minutes, and by car it is reached via the A8. The town centre station is a short walk from the waterfront. What else is nearby? Pair the visit with a walk along the waterfront and look for Port Glasgow's second light, Steamboat Quay, a taller (about 11 m) tower on dry land. Newark Castle, a 15th-17th century riverside residence, is close by, and the town has a long shipbuilding heritage. Views take in river traffic and the hills across the Firth of Clyde. When should you visit? The light can be seen all year. Sunrise and sunset give the best photographs, and at high tide the rock almost vanishes, so the tower appears to rise straight out of the water. After dark you can spot its green light. Bring a waterproof, as the weather on the Clyde changes quickly. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside Perch Light? No. It is a small navigation beacon on a rock in the river, reached only by ladder from the rock, and it is not open to visitors. Where is the best place to see it? From the waterfront and Coronation Park in Port Glasgow, almost directly opposite. How tall is it? The tower is about 8 m, with the light about 7 m above the water. Does it light up at night? Yes, it shows a fixed green light visible up to about 9 nautical miles.

Inchkeith Lighthouse

Burntisland

Inchkeith Lighthouse stands on the island of Inchkeith in the Firth of Forth and can be seen from the Fife shore around Burntisland. It sits on a rocky island a few kilometres offshore and has guided ships towards Leith and Edinburgh for more than two centuries. This is a landmark to admire from a distance, because the island is not regularly open to visitors. What is this lighthouse? The present light was first lit on 14 September 1804. Thomas Smith, the first engineer of the Northern Lighthouse Board, designed it, and his assistant Robert Stevenson, who went on to found a famous dynasty of lighthouse engineers, oversaw the building. Work began in 1803, though sources give two foundation dates, 1 and 18 May. The whole project cost about 5,000 pounds. The round ashlar tower is roughly 19 metres tall and rises from a two-storey castellated building. It was built over the remains of a sixteenth-century fort that, according to the sources, the French raised after taking the island in 1549. Close by, the circular base of an earlier lighthouse survives. Why does it matter in lighthouse history? Inchkeith was a testing ground for new technology. In 1815 the light was converted to a revolving one, among the first in the country. In 1835, under Alan Stevenson, Britain's first dioptric light, which concentrates the beam with lenses instead of mirrors, was installed here. Is it a protected building? Yes. Historic Environment Scotland lists the lighthouse together with the keepers' cottage, ancillary buildings and boundary walls as Category B (entry LB9707, designated in 1971 and amended in 2018). The fort remains on the island are protected separately as a scheduled monument. How can you see it? Easiest from the mainland. In clear weather the island and its lighthouse are visible from the Burntisland seafront and beach, from other points along the Fife coast, and from Edinburgh and Leith. There is no regular boat service landing on the island, and the lighthouse remains a working navigation aid. To get closer, check whether local Firth of Forth operators run cruises around the island in the current season. Bring binoculars or a telephoto lens. When is the best time to look? Clear days with good visibility give the best view, with the pale tower standing out against the water. After dark you can pick out its flashing light across the firth, which is especially easy from the Burntisland promenade. Frequently asked questions Can you visit Inchkeith island? There is no regular public access. The island and lighthouse are best viewed from the shore or from the water. Where is the best place to see Inchkeith Lighthouse? From the Fife coast, including Burntisland and Kinghorn, and from Edinburgh's waterfront and Leith. Who built the lighthouse? Thomas Smith designed it and Robert Stevenson supervised construction. It was lit in 1804. Is the lighthouse a listed building? Yes, it is Category B listed by Historic Environment Scotland.

Isle of May Lighthouse

Isle of May Lighthouse stands on the Isle of May in the outer Firth of Forth, off the Fife coast of Scotland. Completed in 1816 to a design by Robert Stevenson, it is a Category B listed building and the main landmark of a national nature reserve. Why does it look like a small castle? The tower has battlements rather than the plain profile of a typical lighthouse. The style is tied to Sir Walter Scott, who is said to have urged Stevenson to keep the older beacon standing as a ruin instead of pulling it down. Stevenson adapted that building as a refuge for fishermen and Forth pilots. The Northern Lighthouse Board, the lighthouse's owner, had bought the island in 1814. The light was upgraded in 1836 with a new lamp and lens, and substantial works followed in 1886. In 1989 the station was fully automated, ending permanent staffing. Ownership of the island then passed to the body now known as NatureScot. Which building is the 1636 beacon? It is a separate structure. Alexander Cunningham built the earlier coal-fired beacon in 1636, and it is often described as the first permanently manned lighthouse in Scotland. Visitors can see its surviving tower on the island, alongside Stevenson's later lighthouse. How do you get there? The island lies about 8 km off the Fife coast and can only be reached by boat. Trips leave Anstruther Harbour on the May Princess and the Osprey of Anstruther, and some sailings run from North Berwick through the Scottish Seabird Centre. Entry to the reserve is free; you pay for the crossing. Book ahead and check current timetables and prices with the operators. What else is there to see? The island is roughly 1.5 km long and 0.5 km wide. Besides the lighthouse you can see the ruins of the medieval St Adrian's Priory and large seabird colonies. The walking route is short, so a standard trip with time ashore covers the main sights. When should you go? Boats run seasonally, mainly from spring to early autumn, and sailings depend on weather and sea state. Bring a windproof jacket and sturdy shoes. There are no permanent residents or food outlets on the island, so carry your own water and snacks. Frequently asked questions Can you go inside the lighthouse? It remains an operational aid to navigation owned by the Northern Lighthouse Board. Interiors are opened only for special events such as open days; most visitors view it from outside. Who designed the lighthouse? Robert Stevenson. The light dates from 1816, although sources vary on the exact completion date. Is there an entry fee for the island? The reserve is free to enter, but you need a boat ticket from Anstruther or North Berwick. Does anyone live at the lighthouse? No. The island has had no permanent residents since the station was automated in 1989.

Bass Rock Lighthouse

Bass Rock Lighthouse sits on a steep volcanic island in the Firth of Forth, roughly 2 km off the coast at North Berwick in East Lothian, Scotland. From the town's beaches it shows up as a pale tower against the dark bulk of the rock, and it is one of the most recognisable landmarks on this stretch of coast. Why is there a lighthouse on Bass Rock? The Northern Lighthouse Board, Scotland's lighthouse authority, commissioned it, and David Alan Stevenson, a member of the famous family of lighthouse engineers, designed and built it. The light was first exhibited on 1 November 1902, at a cost of around 8,000 pounds. The stone came from the island itself. Stevenson's crews pulled down the medieval castle, and masonry from its keep and living quarters went into the new tower. The lighthouse therefore stands on the site of the old fortifications. What does it look like? The tower is about 20 metres tall and joins a single-storey keeper's house. The group is listed under Historic Environment Scotland reference LB14738 and is recorded by Canmore. Keepers lived here until 1988, when the light was automated and the fog signal switched off. Since then it has been monitored remotely from the Board's headquarters in Edinburgh. Can you go inside? No. It is a working aid to navigation and the interior is closed to visitors. The best view is from the water. Boat trips leave from North Berwick, last about two hours, and pass Craigleith island before circling the Bass Rock. Most passengers stay aboard. Landings depend on the weather and cannot be counted on. What else will you see on the trip? Bass Rock holds the world's largest colony of northern gannets, tens of thousands of pairs, so the lighthouse appears against a swirling cloud of birds. The island also has the ruins of St Baldred's chapel and the remains of a former prison. For the best photographs, shoot from the boat when the sun lights the western side of the rock. When should you go? The boat season opens in spring, around Easter, and the gannets nest through summer. That is when the rock is busiest and the sea is usually calmer. Check the current timetable before you travel, as wind and swell often lead to cancellations. How do you get there? Trains from Edinburgh reach North Berwick in about half an hour. The harbour and the boat check-in are by the Scottish Seabird Centre. From its terrace you can see Bass Rock with the naked eye, and the lighthouse through the telescopes. Frequently asked questions Is Bass Rock Lighthouse still in use? Yes. It has been unmanned since 1988 and is run remotely from Edinburgh. Can I climb the tower? No. It is an operational navigation light and there are no interior tours. Where can I see it from? From a boat out of North Berwick, or from the beach and the Scottish Seabird Centre terrace on shore. Who designed it? David Alan Stevenson. It first shone in November 1902.