Michael’s Comprehensive List of Scottish Lights

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Section E:  Kinnaird Head to Inverness

(25 towers and 47 other structures)

Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highland

Plan of the Section

Column 1: Reference numbers (Michael; Admiralty; NGIA Publication 114)
Column 2: Name of light; Details (character, height above high water, nominal range in nautical miles); Grid Reference
Column 3: Description of structure; Notes; Link to image (for towers this link is in the form of a thumbnail image);
Maps (LR, EX: Ordnance Survey (see Notes in the Introduction); CH: Admiralty Chart at various scales)

Kinnaird Head
  Tower lights:
M048
A3332

114-2808
Kinnaird Head
F and Fl 1/5, 25m, 22 miles
NJ998678
kinnairdReplaced M049-D in 1991
White GRP tower 10m
The Admiralty does not admit to the fixed light, which is conspicuous from at sea
Visible 297° through S to 092°
LR30; EX427; CH2, 115, 213, 222, 1409, 1462-J, 1462-K, 2182B, C
M049-D
--

--
Kinnaird Head
discontinued 1991
was (1970) 1/15, 37m, 17 miles

NJ999676
kinnairdEstablished 1787 (Thomas Smith): the first
light constructed by the Northern Lighthouse Board

White tower 23m
Built into structure of white building
LR30; EX427; CH1462-J

Rosehearty
  Onastic lights:
M049-01
A3335·21
114-0
Ldg lts rear
QG/1, 13m, 2 miles
NJ931677
Established about 2010
White metal post 8m with black bands
 not "stripes" as given by Admiralty
image
LR30; EX427; (not yet charted)
M049-02
A3335·2
114-0
Ldg lts front
G 1/4, 9m, 2 miles
NJ931678
Established about 2010
White metal post 4m with black bands
 not "stripes" as given by Admiralty
image (also showing M050 with a lick of paint!)
alternative image showing both front and rear
LR30; EX427; (not charted)

  Tower light:
M050
A3335

--
Tam Pier head
1/4, 9m, 2 miles
NJ932679
roseheartyGrey round poured concrete tower 5m
 Tower existed and showed FW in 1954 (oil lamp showing through aperture on seaward side of tower), discontinued by 1970. Modern light established 2008 as weatherproof lantern on top
 Modern light not charted
LR30; EX427

  Folly tower:
M050-F
--
--
Rosehearty Tower
2FR 12m (aero)
NJ928676
White octagonal concrete tower with railed balcony and trapezoidal glazed lantern on top, altogether c. 12m
Erected by Ministry of Defence to act as control station for practice bombing runs over nearby cliffs. A private house since 1996
Shown on the chart but of course not listed: nevertheless carries aero lights
image
LR30; EX427; CH222

Gardenstown
  Dismantled tower:
M051-D
--

114-0
East Pier head
discontinued
(was FWR, 6m, 5miles)

NJ799649
Established 1877, rebuilt 1922
Masonry tower, only the lower courses still standing
For image, see M051-01
LR29, 30; EX426

  Onastic lights:

Room for confusion here! The Admiralty list (and the chart) both show the front leading light as R 1/3, 5m, and the rear light as R Oc/6, 50m, "on a flat roof." The chart positions the front light on East Pier head. What is actually observed (July 2009) is (front) R Iso/6, about 5m, and (rear) R Oc/6, on a short metal post at the top of a grass bank, and certainly not more than 15m elevation.
 For want of better information, these lights are listed as M051-01 and -02 with their observed characteristics and their charted positions
M051-01
A3340
114-0
Ldg lts front
R Iso/6, 5m, 3 miles
NJ799649
Ldg 183°
Stayed white metal post 2m on masonry wall
image
LR29, 30; EX426; CH222
M051-02
A3340·1
114-0
Ldg lts rear
R Oc/6, 15m, 3 miles
NJ798647
Ldg 183°
Grey square metal post c. 1m at top of grass bank
image
alternative image
LR29, 30; EX426; CH222
M051-03
A3338
114-
Muckle Rock
3/10, 6m, 2 miles
NJ797653
Stayed grey square metal post 1m
image
close-up image
On reef on W side of entrance to harbour
LR29, 30; EX426; CH222

Macduff
  Tower light:
M052
A3348

114-2812
Lighthouse Pier head
WRG 2/6, 12m,
  9/7 miles
NJ703647
mcduffEstablished 1905
White tower 11m
Sectors 210° R 174° W 115° G shore
LR29; EX426; CH115, 222, 1409, 1462-I

Since 2006 the Admiralty has listed the two lights M052-01 and -02 as "temporarily extinguished" with the annotation "Banff harbour closed to navigation." These two lights are in fact the leading lights for Macduff harbour, and every time Michael has visited the port (including November 2011) they have been working normally. The two lights M053-01 and -02 are the leading lights for Banff harbour, and they are working normally too.
  Onastic lights:
M052-01
A3350
114-2816
Ldg lts front
FR, 30m, 3 miles
NJ704665
Ldg 127°
Metal post with orange triangle point up c. 8m
Transferred from roof of building after fire in about 2006;
was about 300 feet from rear light, now more like 800 feet
The front and rear lights are not intervisible on the ground
image (shows front and rear together)

Visible 345° to 210°
LR29; EX426; CH222, 1462-I
M052-02
A3350·1
114-2820
Ldg lts rear
FR, 55m, 3 miles
NJ706644
Ldg 127°
Metal post with orange triangle point up 10m
image
Visible 345° to 210°
LR29; EX426; CH222, 14562-I
M052-03
A3352
114-0
W Pier head
QG, 4m, 5 miles
NJ703646
Black metal post 5m
image
LR29; EX426; CH1462-I

Banff
  Tower light:
M053
A3353
114-2812
Lighthouse Pier head
1/4, 8m, ? miles
NJ690647
banffEstablished 1832 on framework tower;
 present tower erected 1933
White tower 3m
LR29; EX426; CH222, 1462-I

  Onastic lights:
M053-01
A3354
114-0
Ldg lts front
R 1/4, 4m, ?
NJ688647
Ldg 295°
metal post 4m
image
Visible 345° to 210°
LR29; EX426; CH222, 1462-I
M053-02
A3355
114-0
Ldg lts rear
QR, 8m, ?
NJ688647
Ldg 295°
metal post 8m
image
Visible 345° to 210°
LR29; EX426; CH1462-I

Whitehills
  Tower light:
M054
A3364
114-2824
Pier head
WR 1/3, 7m,  9/6 miles
NJ655658
whitehillsEstablished 1899
Round white metal tower 3m standing on circular masonry extension to pier head wall
Sectors 245° W 212° R 132°
Original metal tower 3m now rusting away in scrapyard in Macduff (image)
LR29; EX425; CH115, 222, 1409

Portsoy
  Disused tower:
M055-D
--

--
Harbour wall
discontinued
(was) FW, 12m, 5 miles

 Ldg lts front
NJ590664
portsoyCast-iron tower 3m in walled enclosure on roof of building
alternative image
LR29; EX425

  Onastic lights:
M055-01
A3368
114-2828
Ldg lts front
G 1/4, 20m, 3 miles
NJ590664
Ldg 173°
Grey metal post 3m in tower enclosure
image

LR29; EX425; CH115, 222, 1409
M055-02
A3368·1
114-2832
Ldg lts rear
QG, 22m, 3 miles
NJ590663
Ldg 173°
White post, black bands, red triangle point up 4m
Post also carries box that once held FR rear light
image

LR29; EX425; CH115, 222, 1409

Cullen
  Disused tower:
M056-D
--

--
East Pier head
discontinued
(was FWR, 5m, 5miles)

NJ510674
cullenEstablished 1866
Very rusty wrought-iron tower 4m
LR29; EX425

Portknockie
  Disused tower:
M057-D
--

--
North Pier head
discontinued
(was FW, 5m, 5miles)

NJ486688
portknockieTower 3m
Signs of a fixing for a lantern on horizontal upper surface
Always listed as on South Pier, but looks like the North Pier to Michael! No equivalent structure is on the South Pier
LR28, 29; EX425
  Onastic lights:
M057-01
A3382·1
114-0
Ldg lts rear
FW, 9m, 2 miles
NJ486687
Ldg 150°·5
Grey metal post
Established after 2005
 (in 1970 FR on wooden pole at elevation of 48m,
 not listed in 2000)
image
LR28, 29; EX425; CH222
M057-02
A3382
114-0
Ldg lts front
FW, 7m, 2 miles
NJ487686
Ldg 150°·5
Grey metal post
Established after 2005
 (in 1970 FR on wooden pole at elevation of 40m,
 not listed in 2000)
image
LR28, 29; EX425; CH222

  Folly tower:
M057-F
--
--
King Edward Terrace Tower
--
NJ484682
White circular concrete tower with GRP cylinder as lantern,
 black conical roof, windows painted on, c. 3m
Erected by local council as part of "Welcome to Portknockie"
 display on edge of town
image
LR28, 29; EX425

Findochty
  Onastic lights:
M057-03
A3385
114-0
Middle Pier:
 Ldg lts front
FR, 6m, 3 miles
NJ462680
Ldg 166°
Lamp-post 4m (lantern below street-lamp)
image

alternative image
LR28, 29; EX425; CH222
M057-04
A3385·1
114-0
Esplanade:
 Ldg lts rear
FR, 10m, 3 miles
NJ462679
Ldg 166°
Lamp-post 8m (lantern at top of pole)
image

LR28, 29; EX425; CH222

  Disused tower:
M058-D
--

--
West Pier head
discontinued
(was FW, 8m, 5miles)

NJ462681
portknockieEstablished 1904
Tower 3m on circular masonry base
LR28, 29; EX425

Buckie (see plan)
 Up to about 2005 the lights in line, leading clear of the West Muck (125°) but not giving a line into the harbour, were shown as the two major towers M059 and M060. At present the front and rear lights are listed as M059-02 and M059, giving a line of 096°
  Tower light:
M059
A3394

114-2840
N Pier, 60m from head
  lts in line rear
R Oc/10, 15m, 15 miles
NJ428661
buckieEstablished 1913
White tower 15m
image also shows M060-01 to the left
LR28; EX424N; CH115, 222, 223, 1409, 1462-H
M059-01
A3394
114-2840
same structure
FW
Emergency light
no image available: not visible from the quay

  Onastic light:
M059-02
A3392
114-2848
NW Pier head:
  lts in line front
2FR, 6m, 9 miles
NJ427661
White metal post on red columnar base 4m
image
Shows 3FR when harbour closed
LR28; EX424N; CH1462-H

  Tower light:
M060
A3396·1

114-2844
Cliff Terrace
WG Iso/2, 20m,
  16/12 miles
NJ431659
buckieEstablished 1913
White cast-iron tower 10m, black stepped concrete base, red domed top
Shown 24 hrs
Publ.114 gives A3394.1, which may be a mistake

Sectors 225° W 110° G 090°
LR28; EX424N; CH115, 222, 223, 1409, 1462-H

  Onastic lights:
M060-01
A3396
114-0
W Pier elbow
2FG, 4m, 9 miles
NJ428660
Grey metal post 3m
image
LR28; EX424N; CH1462-H
M060-02
A3391
114-2836
West Muck
QR, 5m, 7 miles
NJ424666
Tripod on concrete base 5m
image
LR28; EX424N; CH115, 222, 223, 1409, 1462-H

  Partially-dismantled tower:
M061-D
--

--
Seatown West Pier head
discontinued before 1930
NJ421659
buckieCircular masonry base
LR28; EX424N

Lossiemouth
  Onastic lights:
M061-01
A3408
114-2856
S Pier Head
R 1/6, 11m, 5 miles
NJ240711
Established 1858
Framework structure with grey sheet-metal cladding
 on lower stage only 11m
Shows additional FR when harbour closed
image
LR28; EX423; CH115, 222, 1462-G
M061-02
A3410·1
114-0
Middle jetty:
  Ldg lts rear
FR, 8m, 2 miles
NJ238712
Ldg 292°
Wooden post with red band 8m
image
LR28; EX423; CH1462-G
M061-03
A3410
114-0
Middle jetty:
  Ldg lts front
FR, 5m
NJ239712
Ldg 292°
Wooden post with red band 4m
image
LR28; EX423; CH1462-G

Tower light:
M062-D
A3414

114-2860
Covesea Skerries
discontinued 2012
 (was WR 1/20, 49m,
  24/20 miles

NJ213713
coveseaEstablished 1846 (Alan Stevenson)
Round white tower 36m
The tower is on the mainland; the skerries themselves are marked by an unlit beacon, shown in the last two images
Sectors 282° R 267° W 076°
LR28; EX423; CH2, 115, 223, 2182B, C

Hopeman
  Onastic lights:
M062-01
A3418
114-2868
North Quay elbow:
  ldg lts front
FR, 3m
NJ145700
Ldg 081°
White box with translucent red front panel, on white post 1m
image
LR28; EX423; CH1462-E
M062-02
A3418·1
114-2872
North Quay:
  ldg lts rear
FR, 4m
NJ145700
Ldg 081°
White box with translucent red front panel,
 on masonry pedestal 2m
image
image showing front and rear together
LR28; EX423; CH1462-E
M062-03
A3416
114-2864
West Pier head
G Oc/4, 8m, 4 miles
NJ144700
Post 6m
image
LR28; EX423; CH223, 1462-E

 Disused tower:
M063-D
--

--
West Pier head
  discontinued before 1930
NJ144700
hopemanEstablished 1889
Round concrete tower
image shows M062-03 as well
LR28; EX423

Burghead
 Quite surprising to find three tower structures at a port so small as this, even though one of them is really only a garden shed
  Tower lights:
M064
A3424

114-2876
North Pier head
Oc/8, 7m, 5 miles
NJ106690
burgheadEstablished 1883
Concrete pyramidal tower 7m with rusty metal lantern
LR28; EX423; CH115, 223, 1462-D
M065
A3426
114-2880
North Pier Spur head:
QR, 3m, 5 miles
NJ106689
burgheadSquare concrete tower 3m with red metal lantern and conical roof
LR28; EX423; CH1462-D
M066
A3428
114-2884
South Pier head
QG, 3m, 5 miles
NJ108690
burgheadEstablished 1883
Wooden tower 3m on masonry base; green conical roof
LR28; EX423; CH1462-D
  Onastic light:
M066-01
A3429
114-0
Entrance Groyne
G 1/5, 2m, 1 mile
NJ107688
Metal tripod 3m
image
LR28; EX423; CH1462-D

Nairn
  Tower light:
M067
A3436

114-2892
East Pier head
WRG Oc/4, 6m, 5 miles
NH889575
nairnShort green metal post on octagonal concrete tower 5m
Sectors shore R 207° W 100° G shore
LR27; EX422; CH115, 223, 1462-C
  Onastic light:
M067-01
A3434
114-2896
West Pier head
QG, 5m, 1 mile
NH888575
Grey post 3m
image
LR27; EX422; CH1462-C

Fort George Firing range
  The Admiralty identifies the warning lights at the edges of the Range as being mounted on flagstaffs. Observation shows that none of the flagstaffs are lit; lights are carried on unclad framework structures of substantial height. It has not yet been possible to reconcile the single observed tower with any of the listed positions. The reference numbers M067-03, -04 are reserved in case further towers are located
  Onastic lights:
M067-02
A
114-
Kirkton Farm
FR
NH779567
Framework structure c.6m
Shown when firing in progress
image
LR27; EX422; shown as radio tower near Kirkton on CH1077
M067-05
A
114-
North Shore
FR
NH7857
Framework structure c.20m
Shown when firing in progress
image
LR27; EX422; not charted

Inverness (see plan)
  Onastic light:
M067-06
A3444
114-2912
Longman Point
WR 1/2, 7m, 5/4 miles
NH669478
Orange plastic beacon on pile structure 5m
image
Sectors 258° W through S to 078° R 258°
LR26; CH1078

Kesssock Bridge:
  Lights on the bridge fall into three classes; lights in each class appear identical apart from their colours.
  Lanterns on the west side of the span are therefore taken as representative. There is no access to any of them
  Onastic light:
M067-07
A3446·45
114-0
Tower SE
2QR/5, 3m, 3 miles
NH666476
Lantern on base of pier
image
Aero light at top of tower
Admiralty list shows this light as continuous QR
LR26; CH1078, 1078-1

  Girder-mounted lights:
M067-08
A3446·4
114-0
Channel SE
R Oc/6, 28m, 5 miles
NH666476
Lantern on bracket
image see M067-15
LR26; CH1078-1
M067-09
A3446·41
114-0
Channel centre E
Floodlight
NH665476
Illuminated orange triangle point down
Admiralty gives the same reference to M067-09 and -14
image see M067-14

LR26; CH1078-1
M067-10
A3346·35
114-0
Channel NE
G Oc/6, 28m, 5miles
NH664477
Lantern on bracket
image see M067-13
LR26; CH1078-1

  Onastic lights:
M067-11
A3446·3
114-0
Tower NE
QG, 3m, 3 miles
NH664477
Lantern on base of pier
image see M067-12
Aero light at top of tower
LR26; CH1078, 1078-1
M067-12
A3446·32
114-0
Tower NW
QG, 3m, 3 miles
NH664477
Lantern on base of pier
image
Aero light at top of tower
LR26; CH1078, 1078-1

  Girder-mounted lights:
M067-13
A3446·37
114-0
Channel NW
G Oc/6, 28m, 5 miles
NH664477
Lantern on bracket
image
alternative image also showing FR aero light on top of SE tower
LR26; CH1078-1
M067-14
A3446·41
114-0
Channel Centre W
Floodlight
NH665476
Illuminated triangle point down
Admiralty gives the same reference to M067-09 and -14
image
LR26; CH1078-1
M067-15
A3446·42
114-0
Channel SW
R Oc/6, 28m, 5 miles
NH666476
Lantern on bracket
image
LR26; CH1078-1

  Onastic light:
M067-16
A3446·47
114-0
Tower SW
2QR/5, 3m, 3 miles
NH666476
Lantern on base of pier
image
Aero light at top of tower
Admiralty list shows this light as continuous QR
LR26; CH1078, 1078-1

Inverness (cont): River Ness
  Onastic lights:
M067-17
A3447·6
114-0
Outer Beacon
QR, 3m, 4 miles
NH662473
Grey post on red platform on pile structure 3m
image
LR26; CH1078, 1078-1
M067-18
A3447·7
114-2922
Inner Beacon
QR, 3m, 4 miles
NH661470
Grey post on red platform on pile structure 3m
image
LR26; CH1078, 1078-1
M067-18A
A3447·8
--
Marina Beacon
R 1/4, 2m, 3 miles
NH660469
Established probably 2010, not yet charted
Red metal post 3m with square topmark
image
LR26;
M067-19
A3449
114-2924
Turning beacon
R 1/3, 7m, 6 miles
NH661468
Red lattice mast supporting balcony with short red post 6m
image
LR26; CH1078, 1078-1
M067-20
A3457
114-2932
North Citadel Quay
QR, 5m, 3 miles
NH664464
White metal post 4m
image
LR26; CH1078-1
M067-21
A3460
114-2936
Training Wall head
QG, 5m, 4 miles
NH665462
Short grey metal post on black lattice mast 5m
image
LR26; CH1078-1
M067-22
A3454
114-2928
Thornbush Wharf N end
QG, 6m, 4 miles
NH660466
Green metal post
image
LR26; CH1078, 1078-1

  Tower light:
M068
A3448

114-2920
Carnarc Point
G 1/2, 8m, 4 miles
NH660472
bona ferryEstablished 1938
Green tapered metal column, on concete base 6m
Image just shows M067-12 at the right
LR26; CH1078, 1078-1

Caledonian Canal
  The Admiralty lists show all the lights in the Caledonian Canal at this point, before continuing along the northerly coast of the Moray Firth. However, the 24-mile Loch Ness divides the Canal into two sections, and Fort Augustus at its southerly end is nearer to Fort William than to Inverness. Michael therefore treats only the northerly lights in the Canal here, and lists the southerly lights in Section H which includes the lights in Loch Linnhe.
  Publ. 114 ignores the Canal altogether.
  Onastic lights:
M068-01
A3446·2
114-
Clachnaharry N Wall head
QR, 5m, 2 miles
NH644468
Grey square metal post 5m with protected ladder
image
LR26; CH1078
M068-02
A3446
114-
Clachnaharry S Wall head
G Iso/4, 5m, 2 miles
NH644467
Grey square metal post 4m
image
LR26; CH1078, 1791-B

  Disused towers:
M069-D
--

--
Clachnaharry Old Light
discontinued
NH644467
bona ferryEstablished 1938
Grey metal post on white tapered metal column, on stepped white concrete base 6m
LR26;
M070-D
--

--
Bona Ferry Old Light
discontinued after 1970
(was FW, 5m, 5miles)

NH602376
bona ferryEstablished 1919
Bow window in octagonal building 6m
LR26;

  Onastic light:
M070-01
A3470
114-0
Bona Ferry New Light
2FR, 6m, 2 miles
NH602376
Lattice mast 6m
image
LR26; CH1791-B, -H

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