Southerness lighthouse

Timeline of Lighthouses in Scotland

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In Salutem Omnium
For the Safety of All

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Light Legenda

- Standard

+ Radar Beacon

+ AIS

+ Radar Beacon/AIS

- Discontinued

Timeline of Lights

From 1750 to 1849 From 1850 to 1899 From 1900 to Today

The Lighthouses
[from the:] East Coast North Coast Southwest Coast West Coast Inner Hebrides Outer Hebrides Orkney Islands Shetland Islands Isle of Man

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Accountability

Update: 01-03-2025
Compiled by:
@ Bob Schrage

Timeline of the construction of Scottish lighthouses

This page shows the timeline of the construction and development of lighthouses in Scotland from 1747 to 1849. During this period, 35 lighthouses were built along the coast of Scotland.

A selection can be made for a specific time period, which will show a brief overview of these lighthouses. By clicking on the blue texts, you will be redirected to the relevant page of the specific lighthouse. By clicking on the images of the light character (right image), you will get a larger map of the location of the lighthouse with the light character present for this lighthouse. More explanation of the light characters of a lighthouse can be found on my Light Characters web page.

9 Lighthouses built between 1750 and 1799

1757 - A4346 - Little Cumbrea - Southwest Coast

1789 - A3722 - North Ronaldsay - Orkney Islands

1790 - AXXXX - Portpatrick - Southwest Coast

1787 - A3332 - Kinnaird Head - East Coast

1789 - A3990 - Eilean Glas - Outer Hebrides

1794 - A3562 - Pentland Skerries - Nort Coast

1788 - A4272 - Mull of Kintyre - Southwest Coast

1790 - A4326 - Pladda - Southwest Coas

1797 - A4404 - Cloch Point - Southwest Coast

1757 - A4346 - Little Cumbrea - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat,Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)

55°43.222' N, 004°58.034' W
Fl W 6s 11m 6M
Fl. 0.5s - ec. 5.5s.
Visible 334°-193°

☰ Click on image to close

1787 - A3332 - Kinnaird Head - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)

57°41.862' N, 002°00.237' W
Fl W 5s 25m 22M
Fl. 0.2s - ec. 4.8s.
Visible 092°-297°

☰ Click on image to close

1788 - A4272 - Mull of Kintyre - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)

55°18.614' N, 005°48.202' W
Fl(2) W 20s 91m 18M
Fl. 0.4s - ec. 1.5s, Fl. 0.4s - ec 17.7s.
Visible 347°-178°.

☰ Click on image to close

1789 - A3722 - North Ronaldsay - Orkney Island

Engineers(s):
New Tower (1854):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)
David Lilie Stevenson (1815-1886)

59°23.381' N, 02°22.882' W
Fl W 10s 43m 24M
Fl. 0.3s - ec. 9.7s
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1789 - A3990 - Eilean Glas - Outer Hebrides

Engineers(s):
New Tower (1854):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)
Robert Stevenson (1772-1850)

57°51.414' N, 006°38.522' W
Fl(2) WRG 9s 13m 11-9M
Fl. 0.4s - ec.1.6s, Fl. 0.4s - ec.6.6s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1790 - A4326 - Pladda - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)

55°25'29.8" N 5°07'06.5" W
Fl(3) W 30s 40m 17M
2x Fl. 0.7s - ec. 3.1s, Fl. 0.7s - ec. 21.7s
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1790 - AXXXX - Portpatrick - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)

54°50.433' N, 005°07.056' W
Discontinued
-.-
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1794 - A3562 - Pentland Skerries - Nort Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)
Robert Stevenson (1772-1850)

58°41.412' N, 002°55.479' W
Fl(3) W 30s 52m 23M
2x Fl. 0.4s - ec.5.6s; Fl. 0.4s - ec. 17.6s
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1797 - A4404 - Cloch Point - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)
Robert Stevenson (1772-1850)

55° 56.540´ N, 004° 52.724´ W
Fl W 3s 23m 8M
Fl. 0.6s - ec. 2.4s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

2 Lighthouses built between 1800 and 1809

1804 - A2912 - Inchkeith - East Coast

1806 - A3718 - Start Point - Orkeny Islands

1804 - A2912 - Inchkeith - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)
Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

56°02.013' N, 003°08.173' W
Fl W 15s 67m 14M
Fl. 0.4s - ec. 14.6s
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1806 - A3718 - Start Point - Orkeny Island

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Thomas Smith (1752-1815)
Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

59°16.644' N, 02°22.557' W
Fl(2) W 20s 25m 19M
Fl. 0.2s - ec. 3.8s, Fl. 0.2s - ec. 15,8s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

6 Lighthouses built between 1810 and 1819

1811 - A3108 - Bell Rock - East Coast

1812 - A4362 - Toward Point - Southwest Coast

1817 - A4604 - Corsewall - Southwest Coast

1812 - AXXXX - Southerness - Southwest Coast

1816 - A3090 - Isle of May - East Coast

1818 - A4720 - Point of Ayre - Isle of Man (Manx)

1811 - A3108 - Bell Rock - East Coast>

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

59°16.644' N, 02°22.557' W
Fl(2) W 20s 25m 19M
Fl. 0.2s - ec. 3.8s, Fl. 0.2s - ec. 15,8s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1812 - AXXXX - Southerness - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

54°52.369' N, 003°35.700' W
Discontinued
-.-
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1812 - A4362 - Toward Point - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

55°51.724' N, 004°58.783' W
Fl W 10s 21m 22M
Fl. 0.2s - ec. 9.8s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1816 - A3090 - Isle of May - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)
Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

56°11.139' N, 002°33.457' W
Fl(2) W 15s 73m 18M
Fl. 0.3s - ec. 1.6s, Fl. 0.3s - 12.8s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1817 - A4604 - Corsewall - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

55°00.429' N, 005°09.564' W
Fl(5) W 30s 34m 22M
4x Fl. 0.2s - ec. 3.5s, Fl. 0.2s - ec. 15.0s.
Visible 027°-257°.

☰ Click on image to close

1818 - A4720 - Point of Ayre - Isle of Man (Manx)

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

54°24.940' N, 004°22.090' W
Fl(4) W 20s 32m 19M
3x Fl. 0.2s - ec. 2.3s; Fl. 0.2s - ec. 12.3s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

4 Lighthouses built between 1820 and 1829

1821 - A3766 - Sumburgh Head - Shetland Islands

1827 - A3280 - Buchan Ness - East Coast

1825 - A4256 - Rhinns of Islay - Inner Hebrides

1828 - A3880 - Cape Wrath - North Coast

1821 - A3766 - Sumburgh Head - Shetland Islands

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

59°51.243' N, 001°16.476' W
Fl(3) W 30s 91m 23M
2x Fl. 0.4s - ec. 2.1s, Fl. 0.4s - 24.6s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1825 - A4256 - Rhinns of Islay - Inner Hebrides

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

55°40.384' N, 006°30.790' W
Fl W 5s 46m 18M
Fl. 0.2s - ec. 4.8s)
Visible 256°-184°.

☰ Click on image to close

1827 - A3280 - Buchan Ness - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

57°28.227' N, 001°46.474' W
Fl W 5s 40m 18M
Fl. 0.3s - ec. 4.7s.
none (shuttered at the rear)

☰ Click on image to close

1828 - A3880 - Cape Wrath - North Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

58°37.534' N, 004°59.930' W
Fl(4) W 30s 122m 21M
3x Fl. 0.2s - ec. 3.6s, Fl. 0.2s - ec. 18.4s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

6 Lighthouses built between 1830 and 1839

1830 - A3506 - Tarbat Ness - East Coast

1831 - A3574 - Dunnet Head - North Coast

1833 - A4020 - Barra Head - Outer Hebrides

1830 - A4619 - Mull of Galloway - Southwest Coast

1833 - A3246 - Girdle Ness - East Coast

1833 - A4170 - Lismore - Inner Hebrides

1830 - A3506 - Tarbat Ness - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

57°51.906' N, 003°46.590' W
Fl(4) W 30s 53m 18M
3x Fl. 0.7s - ec. 2.1s, Fl. 0.7s - ec. 20.9s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1830 - A4619 - Mull of Galloway - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

54°38.101' N, 004°51.411' W
Fl W 20s 99m 18M
Fl. 0.5s - ec. 19.5s.
Visible 182°-105°.

☰ Click on image to close

1831 - A3574 - Dunnet Head - North Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

58°40.280' N, 003°22.585' W
Fl(4) W 30s 105m 23Mb
3x Fl. 0.7s - ec. 2.0s, Fl. 0.7s - ec. 21.2s
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1833 - A3246 - Girdle Ness - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

57°08.339' N, 002°02.916' W
Fl(2) W 20s 56m 22M
Fl. 0.5s - ec. 2.0s, Fl. 0.5s - ec. 17.0s
Obscured by Greg Ness when bearing more than about 020°-025°.

☰ Click on image to close

1833 - A4020 - Barra Head - Outer Hebrides

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)

56°47.131' N, 007°39.215' W
Fl W 15s 208m 18M
Fl. 0.3s - ec. 14.7s.
Obscured by islands NE.

☰ Click on image to close

1833 - A4170 - Lismore - Inner Hebrides

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Robert Stevenson (1772 - 1850)
Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

56°27.333' N, 005°36.449' W
Fl W 10s 31m 17M
Fl. 0.2s - ec. 9.8s
Visible 237°-208°.

☰ Click on image to close

8 Lighthouses built between 1840 and 1849

1846 - A3414 - Covesea Skerry - East Coast

1849 - A3544 - Noss Head - East Coast

1844 - A4096 - Skerryvore - Inner Hebrides

1846 - A3490(ex) - Cromarty - East Coast

1849 - A4082 - Ardnamurchan - West Coast

1846 - A3440 - Chanonry Point - East Coast

1847 - A4592 - Cairn Point - Southwest Coast

1843 - A4634 and 4633.99 (Beacon) - Little Ross - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

54°45.946' N, 004°05.093' W
Fl W 5s 50m 12M
Fl. 0.5s - ec. 4.5s.
Obscured in Wigton Bay S. of 103°.

☰ Click on image to close

1844 - A4096 - Skerryvore - Inner Hebrides

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

56°19.366' N, 007°06.882' W
Fl W 10s 46m 23M
Fl. 0.4s - ec. 9.6s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1846 - A3440 - Chanonry Point - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

57°34.441' N, 004°05.567' W
Oc W 6s 12m 15M
Lit. 4.5s - ec. 1.5s.

☰ Click on image to close

1846 - A3414 - Covesea Skerry - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

57°43.449' N, 003°20.312' W
Discontinued
Fl(4) WR 20s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1846 - A3490(ex) - Cromarty - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

57°40.984' N, 004°02.187' W
Discontinued
was Oc. WR 10s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1847 - A4592 - Cairn Point - Loch Rayn - Southwest Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

54°58.468' N, 005°01.850' W
Fl(2) R 10s 14m 12M
Fl. 0.1s - ec 2.4s, Fl. 0.1s - ec. 7.4s.
-.-

☰ Click on image to close

1849 - A3544 - Noss Head - East Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

58°28.744' N, 003°03.046' W
Fl WR 20s 53m 18M
Fl. 0.5s - ec 19.5s.
R. 073°-191°, W.-045°.

☰ Click on image to close

1849 - A4082 - Ardnamurchan - West Coast

Engineers(s):

Position (Lat, Lon):
Light Character:
Light period:
Sector: Alan Stevenson (1807 - 1865)

56°43.625' N, 006°13.558' W
Fl(2) W 20s 55m 18M
Fl. 0.5s - ec 2.0s, Fl. 0.5 - ec 17.0s.
Visible 002°-217°.

☰ Click on image to close