Michael’s Comprehensive List of Scottish Lights

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Section F: North Kessock to Loch Eriboll

(14 towers and 51 other structures)

Highland  (districts of Ross and Cromarty, Caithness and Sutherland)

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)

M070 is Bona Ferry Old Light at the end of Section E

Inverness Firth
  Onastic lights:
M070-02
A3446
114-2916
Craigton Point
WRG 1/4, 6m,
  11/7/7 miles
NH662478
White post about 1m on balcony of building
image

Sectors shore G 085° W 064° R 048° W 312°
LR26; EX416, 432; CH1078, 1078-1
On roof of building: no access
M070-03
A3442
114-2908
Avoch
2FR, 7m, 5miles
NH706551
Concrete column about 5m
image

LR27; EX432; CH1078
Access on foot along pier
  Tower light:
M071
A3440

114-2900
Chanonry
Oc/6, 12m, 12 miles
NH750557
chanonryAlan Stevenson, 1846
White tower 13m
Alternative large image
Visible 073° through N to 148°
LR27; EX422, 432; CH1077, 1078
Car park close by: no access to tower or grounds

Cromarty Firth
  Tower light:
M072-D
A3490

114-2940
Cromarty
discontinued 2006
  (was WR Oc/10, 18m,
  15/11 miles)

NH787677
cromartyAlan Stevenson, 1846
One of the only two (with M074) light-towers built as such within the old county of Cromartyshire before it was amalgamated with the county of Ross
White tower 13m
LR21, 27; EX432; CH1077, 1889 (no magenta flash)
At roadside
  Onastic lights:
M072-01
A3494
114-0
Cromarty Harbour
FG, 7m, 2 miles
NH785677
Wooden pole (not metal post as listed by Admiralty) c. 4m
image
alternative close-up image
LR21, 27; EX432; CH1077, 1889
Car can be driven onto pier
M072-02
A3501
114-0
Alness Bay:
  Deephaven Causeway
G 1/5, 9m, 6 miles
NH638660
Grey metal post 7m
image
LR21; EX432; CH1890
Access on foot along causeway
M073
A3500

114-0
Dalmore:
  Earth Embankment
G 1/4, 8m, 4 miles
NH666677
dalmConcrete and brick tower 5m
LR21; EX432; CH1890
Access unclear
  Invergordon
  Onastic lights:
M073-01
A3499·5
114-0
Queens Dock, W arm
G Iso/2, 9m, 6 miles
NH702683
Grey metal post 7m
image
LR21, 27; EX438; CH1889, 1889·1, 1890,
In port area; no access
M073-02
A3499·2
114-2980
Supply base SW
G Oc/8, 9m, 6 miles
NH7068
no image available
(impossible to pick out behind drilling platform at quayside)

LR21, 27; EX438; CH1889, 1889·1, 1890
In port area; no access
M073-03
A3499
114-2976
Supply base SE
G Iso/8 (not Iso/4
  as listed by Admiralty)
,
  9m, 6 miles
NH708683
Metal lamppost 14m; lantern mounted half-way up
Shown 24 hours
image
LR21, 27; EX438; CH1889, 1889·1, 1890
In port area; no access
M073-04
A3498·4
114-0
Admiralty Pier W side
G 1/4, 5m, 3 miles
NH711683
White metal post about 2m on dolphin
image
LR21, 27; EX438; CH1889, 1889·1, 1890
In port area; no access
M073-05
A3498·2
114-0
Admiralty Pier E side
QG, 5m, 3 miles
NH712683
White metal post about 2m on dolphin
image
LR21, 27; EX438; CH1889, 1889·1, 1890
In port area; no access
M073-06
A3495·4
114-0
Saltburn Pier W end
2FG, 5m, 2 miles
NH724685
Grey metal post about 4m on dolphin
image (taken in heavy rain!)
LR21, 27; EX438; CH1889
In port area; no access
M073-07
A3495·2
114-0
Saltburn Pier E end
2FG, 5m, 2 miles
NH727685
Grey metal post about 4m on dolphin
When viewed from shore to east of pier, only one green light is visible. When viewed from the west side of the pier or from the Cromarty shore (see image), both lights are clearly visible
image
LR21, 27; EX438; CH1889
In port area; no access
  Nigg
  Onastic lights:
M073-08
A3493·3
114-2960
Oil Terminal Pier W
2FG, 9m, 4 miles
NH782688
Grey metal post on dolphin 5m
image
LR21, 27; EX438; CH1077, CH1889
In port area; no access
M073-09
A3493
114-2952
Oil Terminal Pier head
G Oc/5, 31m, 5 miles
NH783688
Grey square framework structure 27m
image
alternative close-up image
LR21, 27; EX438; CH223, 1077, CH1889
In port area; no access
M073-10
A3493·2
114-2956
Oil Terminal Pier E
2FG, 9m, 4 miles
NH784688
Grey metal post on dolphin 5m
 As for M073-07, only one green light is visible from certain directions. Both lights are visible from the Nigg ferry terminal
image
LR21, 27; EX438; CH1077, CH1889
In port area; no access
M073-11
A3492
114-2944
Ferry Jetty
2FG, 6m, 2 miles
NH795686
Braced metal post 4m
  Shown only while Cromarty Ferry operates, June to October image
LR21, 27; EX438; CH1077, CH1889
Access on foot along jetty during hours of operation

Balintore
  Onastic lights:
M073-12
A3502
114-2982
Harbour
R 2/12, 4m, 2 miles
NH864755
Metal post c.2m
image
Visible 221° through N to 312°
Publ.114 has A3503 (see next light)
LR21; EX438; CH223
Access on foot
M073-13
A3503
114-0
Harbour wall
G 1/5, 5m, 5 miles
NH865755
Galvanised metal post 1m
image
LR21; EX438; CH115, 223
Access on foot

Tarbat Ness
  Tower light:
M074
A3506

114-2984
Tarbat Ness
4/30, 53m, 24 miles
NH947875
tarbRobert Stevenson, 1830
One of the only two (with M072-D) light-towers built as such within the old county of Cromartyshire before it was amalgamated with the county of Ross
White tower, red bands 41m
LR21; EX438; CH2, 115, 223, 2182C
Access on foot from car park: no access to tower

Portmahomack
  Onastic lights:
M074-01
A3508
114-2985
Pier head
2FR, 7m, 5 miles
NH915846
Grey metal lamppost c.5m
image
LR21; EX438; CH115, 223
Access on foot
M074-02
A3509
114-0
Pontoon
G 1/5, 2m, 2 miles
NH915846
Metal post 2m
image
LR21; EX438
Access on foot

Tain
  Onastic light:
M074-03
A3510
114-0
Firing range
R 1/5
NH8383
Mast 21m
Shown when firing in progress
More than one mile from nearest shore

no image available
LR21; EX438

Dornoch Firth bridge
The bridge has twenty piers, four of which, Nos 12 to 15 counting from the south, mark the navigation spans. They differ from the other piers in having long cutwaters at the base. The Admiralty describes three of them as "North Pier." Michael feels it better to describe them in order as "South," "South Central," "North Central," and "North."
  Lights are shown from small cages bracketed to the deck, one each side at each position. Fixed as they are on the outward side of the bridge railings, there is no access to any of them. The lanterns are all identical in pattern, and it is unlikely that any more images will become available. The Admiralty uses a single number for both the downstream and upstream light at each point, although they are separate lanterns.
  Although Dornoch Firth and the Kyle of Sutherland are navigable for small ships to Bonar Bridge, about 10 miles above the bridge, and for large boats to Rosehall, a further 10, there are no lights above the bridge.
  When viewed from the east, the lights are synchronised in pairs: the South Pier and the South Span; the Central and the North Spans; and the South Central and North Central piers. The North Pier goes its own way. When viewed from the west, however, there is no indication of synchronism at all; the lights present a riotous fairground aspect which adds a certain joie-de-vivre to this uncompromisingly harsh structure.
 Chart 223 shows a single Iso/4 light which does duty for all. Publ. 114 ignores the bridge completely.
  Girder-mounted lights:
M074-04
A3510·3
114-0
South Pier E
R Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
NH7486
Lantern
image
LR21; EX438
M074-05
A3510·4
114-0
South Span E
Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-09
LR21; EX438
M074-06
A3510·5
114-0
South Central Pier E
QY, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-08
LR21; EX438
M074-07
A3510·6
114-0
Centre Span E
Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-09
LR21; EX438; CH223
MF04-08
A3510·7
114-0
North Central Pier E
QY, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image
LR21; EX438
M074-09
A3510·8
114-0
North Span E
Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image
LR21; EX438
M074-10
A3510·9
114-0
North Pier E
G Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
NH7486
Lantern
image
LR21; EX438
M074-11
A3510·9
114-0
North Pier W
G Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-10
LR21; EX438
M074-12
A3510·8
114-0
North Span W
Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-09
LR21; EX438
M074-13
A3510·7
114-0
North Central Pier W
QY, 14m, 2 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-08
LR21; EX438
M074-14
A3510·6
114-0
Centre Span W
Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-09
LR21; EX438
M074-15
A3510·5
114-0
South Central Pier W
QY, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-08
LR21; EX438
M074-16
A3510·4
114-0
South Span W
Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-09
LR21; EX438
M074-17
A3510·3
114-0
South Pier W
R Iso/4, 14m, 5 miles
Lantern
image similar to M074-04
LR21; EX438

Helmsdale
  Onastic lights:
M074-18
A3514·1
114-0
Ldg lts rear
FG, 7m, 4 miles
ND028152
Ldg 313°
Pole c.10m
image
LR17; EX444; CH1462-F
At roadside
M074-19
A3514
114-0
Ldg lts front
FG, 7m, 4 miles
ND028152
Ldg 313°
Pole 8m
image
Shows FR at top of pole when harbour closed

front and rear together
LR17; EX444; CH1462-F
At roadside

Lybster
  Tower light:
M075
A3522

114-2988
South Pier head
R Oc/6, 10m, 3 miles
ND245348
lybstWhite octagonal tower about 11m
Alternative large image
LR11; EX450; CH115
At car park on pier

Clyth Ness
  Disused tower:
M076-D
A3524

114-2996
Clyth Ness
Discontinued March 2010
was 2/30, 45m, 14 miles
ND291364
clythWhite tower, red band 13m

Now a private house, access by invitation only
LR11; EX450; CH2, 115, 1239, 2182C

Wick  plan
  Tower light:
M077
A3528

114-3000
South Pier head
WRG 1/3, 12m,
  12/9/9 miles
ND371506
wickWhite octagonal tower 11m
Sectors 329° R 286° W 270° G 253°
LR12; EX450; CH115, 1462·1, 1954
Access on foot along pier, no access to tower
  Onastic light:
M077-01
A3534
114-3004
Ldg lts front
FR, 5m, ?
ND369505
Ldg 234°
Red metal post 3m
image
front and rear together
LR12; EX450; CH1462·1
At roadside
  Wall-mounted light:
M077-02
A3534·1
114-3008
Ldg lts rear
FR, 8m, ?
ND369505
Ldg 234°
Red lantern on building
image
LR12; EX450; CH1462·1
no access
  Disused pile structure:
M077-03
--

--
N Pier
discontinued
(in 1925 was FG, 13m)
Formed rear leading light with MF07 on the South Pier

ND370506
Six-legged pile structure 12m
image
alternative image
LR12; EX450; shown on CH1462·1 as "Beacon"
Access on foot along pier
  Onastic lights:
M077-04
A3539·2
114-0
South River Pier head
2FR, 7m, 2 miles
ND369507
Grey square metal post
image
LR12; EX450; CH1462·1
Access on foot along pier
M077-05
A3527
114-3002
River harbour
WRG Iso/4, 9m,
  10/7/7 miles
ND365510
Dir 288°·5
Tube-light on round white metal post
image
Sectors 293°·5 R(3°·8) 289°·7 W(2°·5) 287°·2 G(3°·7) 283°·5
LR12; EX450; CH115, 1462·1, 1954,
At roadside
M077-06
A3539
114-0
North River Pier head
2FG, 7m, 2 miles
ND369508
Grey square metal post
image  MF07 in background
LR12; EX450; CH1462·1
Access on foot along pier

Noss Head
  Tower light:
M078
A3544

114-3012
Noss Head
WR 1/20, 53m,
  25/21 miles
ND388550
nossAlan Stevenson, 1849
White tower 18m
Sectors S-shore W 191° R N-shore
Private: access by prior telephone call only
LR12; EX450; CH2, 115, 219, 1239, 1942, 1954, 2182C

Auckengill
  A 4m tower was established in 1919 as the front light in a leading line about 090°. This was discontinued perhaps during World War II, when the local harbour was the home port of an anti-submarine unit. During the 1980s, the tower was observed to be vulnerable to cliff erosion and the local Historical Society decided to rebuild it further back from the cliff edge. Sadly, after it had been dismantled but before rebuilding could begin, local people used the stone pile as a quarry; and so the rebuilt tower, never intended to carry a light, is less than 2m high. It is now in its turn very close to the cliff edge.
   Folly tower :
M078-01F
--
--
Replacing Ldg lt front
discontinued
  (in 1925 original tower
  was FW, 16m, 4 miles)

ND371636
Tower 2m
image
LR12; EX451; not charted
Access from nearby car park

Duncansby Head
  Tower light:
M079
A3558

114-3016
Duncansby Head
1/12, 67m, 22 miles
ND406734
duncansbyDavid A. Stenson, 1924
White square tower 11m
Stands on the north-easterly point of the mainland of Scotland
LR12; EX451; CH2, 115, 219, 245, 1239, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2182C, 2581
Car park nearby: no access to tower
The Admiralty lists the lights in the Pentland Firth at this point, here treated in Section N

John O'Groats
  Onastic light:
M079-01
A3570
114-3036
Pier head
R 1/3, 4m, 2 miles
ND380735
Red metal post 3m
image
LR12; EX451; CH2162, 2581
Access on foot along pier
   Stroma:
   Tower light:
M080
A3568

114-3032
Swilkie Point
2/20, 32m, 26 miles
ND354792
Swilkie PtWhite tower 23m. One of the three brightest lights in Scotland (over a million candelas).
Swilkie Point is the north point of Stroma, on most maps called Langaton Point, though this name is properly attached to a promontory to the SW. The layout of Pub.114 is misleading in this respect: 3036 and 3040 are on the mainland
LR12; CH2, 115, 219, 245, 1239, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2581

Dunnet Head
  Tower light:
M081
A3574

114-3040
Dunnet Head
4/30, 105m, 23 miles
ND202768
dunnetRobert Stevenson, 1831
White tower 20m
Stands on the most northerly point of the mainland of Scotland
LR12; EX451; CH2, 219, 245, 1239, 1954, 2162, 2182C
Car park nearby: no access to tower

Thurso
  Onastic lights:
M081-01
A3580
114-3052
Breakwater head
QG, 5m, 4 miles
ND122689
Green post c.4m
image
LR12; EX451; CH2162
Close to car park
M081-02
A3582
114-3056
Ldg lts front
FG, 5m, 4 miles
ND122688
Ldg 195°
Grey post 3m
image
LR12; EX451; CH2162
Close to car park
M081-03
A3582·1
114-3060
Ldg lts rear
FG, 6m, 4 miles
ND122688
Ldg 195°
Grey post 5m
image
LR12; EX451; CH2162Close to car park>

Scrabster
  Onastic lights:
M081-04
A3583·5
114-3066
Fuel Quay head
QR, 6m, 4 miles
ND103701
Grey metal post 3m
image
LR12; EX451; CH1462-2, 2162
In port area: no access
M081-05
A3586
114-3072
Tanker Berth head
2FR, 6m, 4 miles
ND102702
Grey metal post 3m
image
LR12; EX451; CH1462-2
In port area: no access
M081-06
A3584
114-3064
Ice Quay head
2FG, 6m, 4 miles
ND103702
Grey metal post 3m
image
LR12; EX451; CH1462-2
In port area: no access
M081-07
A3583
114-3068
St Ola Pier head
G Q2/6, 8m, 4 miles
ND105701
Grey metal post 5m
image
LR12; EX451; CH1462-2, 2162
In port area: no access
M080-08
A3582·5
114-0
Queen Elizabeth Pier
  head
2/4, 8m, 8 miles
ND106702
Grey metal post 4m
image
LR12; EX451; CH219, 1239, 146-2, 1954, 2162
In port area: no access
  Disused tower lights:
M082-D
A3578

114-3044
Holborn Head
discontinued 2003
 (was WR 1/10, 23m,
  15/11 miles)

ND107706
holbDavid and Thomas Stevenson, 1862
White tower 17m
Always called Holborn Head, though in fact on a southerly spur called Little Head
LR12; EX451; CH1462-2, 1954, 2162 (no magenta flash)

Strathy Point
M083-D
A3590

114-3048
Strathy Point
discontinued 2012
 (was 1/20, 45m, 26 miles)

NC828697
strthyPH Hyslop, 1958
White square tower on white building 14m
The first major Scottish tower designed from the outset to be lit by electricity,
and perhaps the last one to be built; and perhaps, after discontinuation after only 54 years, the shortest-lived

LR10; EX449; CH2, 219, 245, 1954
The Admiralty lists the lights in the Orkney and Shetland islands at this point, here treated in Sections N to R

Loch Eriboll
  Tower light:
M084
A3874

114-3580
White Head
WR 1/10, 19m,
  13/10 miles
NC458618
eribollMetal framework tower with white cladding 5m
  There is room for confusion here! Loch Eriboll is a typical Scottish sea-loch, about ten miles long and generally about a mile wide, though rather broader at the mouth. The north-east corner, where the north coast is breached by the loch, is a 150-meter cliff called Whiten Head (Gaelic An Ceann Geal and so named on the map). The lighthouse, however stands about half-way up the loch, just inside the narrows, on a point known to mariners as White Head, but so much less impressive that the map gives it no name at all.
Sectors 212° W 191° R 172° W S-shore
LR9; EX447; CH219, 1954, 2076

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