| The northern end
of the Section is characterised by scattered rocks and islets, some very remote,
and not lending themselves to any clearly defined geographical order. Although
most of the major inhabited islands in the Section are linked by causeways, they are
treated individually.
Because of the shallow seas extending well to the west of the Uists and
Barra, there are no lights on the west coasts of the these islands, apart from those marking the
Royal Artillery Firing range on South Uist. It becomes convenient, therefore, to treat all these islands in a clockwise direction.
Lights are listed in the following order: Rockall, St Kilda, North Uist and islets off the west, north and east coasts, Grimsay, Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay, Barra and finally the other Berneray at the south end of the Long island. The first light in this Section is onastic, so the numbering in this Section begins at MT00-01. Onastic light: | ||
| MT00-01 A4044 114-3956 |
Rockall (in 2004) 1/15, 19m, 8 miles Rockall lies outside the area covered by the National Grid |
Red conical lantern, 1m. Rockall is the highest point of a range of undersea mountains rising from the North Atlantic Ocean abyss, about 230 miles west of North Uist. It is the only summit of that range that rises above sea level, and only by about 70 feet; though the nearby Hasselwood Rock "has been seen in the trough of the waves." Rockall's sides are sheer all round. In the sense of distance from the nearest inhabited land, it is said to be the most remote rock in the world. This, and the difficulty of access, resulted in the remarkable fact that by the end of 1971 more people had set foot on the Moon than on Rockall. This is one structure of which Michael will not be taking a picture! Nevertheless, there have been four different beacons on a specially-prepared flat ledge formed by removing the summit of the rock in 1972. The first and second were destroyed by wave action after a short time. The third one was installed in 1997 and replaced by a more ground-hugging device in 1998. By 2005 this too had been destroyed, and has so far (2010) not been replaced. It is hardly surprising, then, that the light is unreliable, unlit for long periods. It is currently not in the Admiralty's list. A beautiful image of the rock and what is left of the latest beacon has been provided by the generosity of Andy Strangeway (see also the notes on the Home page). This shows the metal plinth of the fourth beacon, which is now used as a nest-box by the people sitting on its edge. What appears to be a doorway in the rock just below the beacon is most likely the remains of the framework that would have supported the solar panels. Pictures of all four beacons and much historical detail can be found in Christopher Nicholson's Rock Lighthouses of Britain (Dunbeath, 2006), pp 190-205, but cannot be shown here for copyright reasons. LR18 inset; EX454W inset; CH2524 |
St Kilda Onastic lights: | ||
| MT00-02 A4047 114-0 |
Ldg lts front Oc/5, 26m, 3 miles NF098985 |
Cairn 1m
no image available LR18 inset; EX460W inset; CH2524 |
| MT00-03 A4047·1 114-0 |
Ldg lts rear Oc/5, 38m, 4 miles NF099985 |
Cairn 2m
no image available LR18 inset; EX460W inset; CH2524 |
Monach islands Tower light: | ||
| MT01 A4020·5 114-3955 |
Shillay 2/15, 47m, 18 miles NF593628 |
Established
1864 (David and Thomas Stevenson) Red brick tower 41m Discontinued 1942. Replaced 1997 by metal framework tower 5m with white cladding showing 2/15, 19m, 10 miles Re-established in original tower 2008 Images of both towers can be found by using the file Shillaylighthouses.jpg in Wikipedia, which provides an image copyright Bob Jones under the terms of the Creative Commons Licence The Monach Islands are a group of two larger and about forty smaller islets and rocks, their most easterly point being about eight miles off the west coast of North Uist. The lighthouse stands at the western end of the Monach islands proper, but a further reef called Huskeiran lies two miles to its north-west LR22; EX454W inset; CH245 and CH2635 |
Isolated rock Tower light: | ||
|
MT02 A4020·3 114- |
Haskeir 1/20, 44m, 23 miles NF612819 |
White GRP tower
9m
Haskeir is a string of uninhabited rocks and islets about 8 miles off the north-west point of North Uist. The lighthouse is on the highest point of the innermost islet no image available LR18 inset; EX454W inset; CH245 and CH2635 |
Vallay Onastic light: | ||
| MT02-01 A3995·6 114-0 |
Vallay WRG 1/3, 4m, 8 miles NF757766 |
Grey post on white concrete base 3m image No public access LR18; EX454W; CH2635 and CH2841 |
North Uist (clockwise) Onastic lights: | ||
| MT02-02 A3995·7 114-0 |
Griminish Ldg lts front QG, 6m, 4 miles NF754760 |
Grey metal
post with black and white diamond on white concrete base 4m image Access along green track from MT02-04 LR18; EX454W; CH2841 |
| MT02-03 A3995·71 114-0 |
Griminish Ldg lts rear QG, 7m, 4 miles NF754759 |
Grey metal post with black and white
diamond on white concrete base 4m image No access: in field alongside green track LR18; EX454W; CH2841 |
| MT02-04 A3995·8 114-0 |
Griminish Pier 2FG, 6m, 4 miles NF757757 |
Grey and rusting metal post 5m image Public road to pier LR18; EX454W; CH2841 |
Berneray (clockwise) Onastic lights: | ||
| MT02-05 A3995 114-0 |
Berneray Harbour Bwr head R Iso/4, 6m, 4 miles NF924812 |
Grey metal post 5m image Access on foot along breakwater LR18; EX454E; CH2802 and CH2841 |
| MT02-06 A3995·3 114-0 |
Aird Ma-Ruibhe Bwr Near ferry terminal 2FG, 6m, 3 miles NF915797 |
Grey metal post 5m image At ferry terminal LR18; EX454E and inset; CH2802 and CH2841 |
| MT02-07 A3995·2 114-0 |
Aird Ma-Ruibhe Ferry terminal slip 1/2, 3m, 1 mile NF915798 |
Lantern mounted directly on one of the piles forming the berth for the ferry images At ferry terminal LR18; EX454E and inset; CH2802 |
North Uist (continued) Onastic lights: | ||
| MT02-08 A3995·5 114-0 |
Otternish 2FR, 6m, 3 miles NF908794 |
Grey lamp-post 5m Marks the overnight berth for the ferry image No public access: on port installation: easily visible from public road LR18; EX454E and inset; CH2802 and CH2841 |
| MT02-09 A3995·4 114-0 |
Newton Jetty 2FG, 9m, 4 miles NF907788 |
Grey metal lamp-post 8m Unlit (July 2009) image Beside public road LR18; EX454E and inset; CH2802 and CH2841 |
Lights in the Sound of Harris (see plan) The direction of buoyage changes between Sgeir Cruaidh and Cabbage North; to the north of this point starboard-hand lights are to starboard going south, and are listed in Section S; west of this point, starboard-hand lights are to starboard going east, and are listed here. Several of the earlier perches have been replaced by buoys: the reference MT02-11 is no longer used Access to all the lights in the Sound of Harris is by boat only Onastic lights: | ||
| MT02-10 A3994·95 114-0 |
Drowning Rock G 2/8, 2m, 2 miles NF931804 |
Green metal
post 2m
image LR18; EX454E and inset; CH2802 and CH2841 |
| MT02-12 A3994·73 114-0 |
Narstay R 2/8, 4m, 3 miles NF974780 |
Red perch with square image LR18; EX454E; CH2802 and CH2841 |
| MT02-13 A3994·69 114-0 |
Cabbage South R 1/3, 3m, 2 miles NF982787 |
Red metal post, white bands image LR18; EX454E; CH2802 and CH2841 |
| MT02-14 A3994·68 114-0 |
Cabbage North 1/5, 3m, 3 miles NF979792 |
White perch with green triangle point up image LR18; EX454E; CH2802 and CH2841 |
North Uist (continued) Tower light: | ||
| MT03 A3996 114-0 |
Rubha an Fhigheadair (Weaver's Point) 1/3, 24m, 7 miles NF955690 |
 metal framework tower with white
two-stage cladding 5m
Access by boat, or by 3 1/2-mile walk over rough ground from nearest road LR18; EX454E; CH1795, CH2825 and CH2841 |
Onastic lights: | ||
| MT03-01 A3999·2 114-0 |
Lochmaddy Pier Ldg lts front 2FG, 8m, 4 miles NG919680 |
Grey metal lamp-post on dolphin 4m image LR18; EX454E; CH2825 and CH2841 |
| MT03-02 A3999·21 114-0 |
Lochmaddy Pier Ldg lts rear G Oc/8, 10m, 4 miles NF920679 |
Grey metal post on link-span bridge
3m image LR18; EX454E; CH2825 and CH2841 |
Islets in Loch Maddy (no access to any of these lights) Onastic lights: | ||
| MT03-03 A3998 114-0 |
Eilean Bhalaig (Vallaquie Island) WRG 3/8, 11m, 7/5/5 miles NF920574 |
Metal post with pvc (?) cladding on concrete base 1m image LR18; EX454E; CH1795, CH2825 and CH2841 |
| MT03-04 A3997 114-0 |
Glas Ruigh Liath E QG, 6m, 5 miles NF930678 |
Grey square metal post on cubical concrete base
2m image LR18; EX454E; CH1795, CH2825 and CH2841 |
| MT03-05 A3996·4 114-0 |
Glas Eilean Mòr G 2/4, 8m, 5 miles NF947681 |
Grey aluminium column 2m image LR18; EX454E; CH1795, CH2825 and CH2841 |
North Uist (continued) Onastic light: | ||
| MT03-06 A3996·6 114-0 |
Rubha nam Pleac R 1/4, 7m, 5 miles NF947677 |
White post apparently with stiffening vanes 2m image Access by boat only LR18; EX454E; CH1795, CH2825 and CH2841 |
Grimsay Onastic light: | ||
| MT03-07 A3999·5 114-0 |
Kallinn Bwr 2FR, 6m, 5 miles NF882555 |
Grey metal post 5m
no image available--structure not found LR22; EX453N; CH2904 |
Benbecula Onastic light: | ||
| MT03-08 A3999·8 114-0 |
Petersport slip R 1/6, 5m, 2 miles NF849456 |
Grey metal post on white
square concrete base chamfered at top 3m image Beside public road LR22; EX453N; CH2904 |
South Uist (clockwise) Roof-mounted lights: | ||
| MT03-09 A4021 114-0 |
Falconet Tower FR, 25m, 8 miles and R Iso/2, 25m, 8 miles NF769420 |
Gable-end of building 6m Occasional, exhibited as warning of imminent firing: FR from 60 to 15 minutes before firing begins; isophase from 15 minutes before until end of firing image close-up image LR22; EX453N; (apparently not charted) |
| MT03-10 A4021·5 114-0 |
Ardivachar Point FR, 7m, 6 miles and R Iso/2, 7m, 6 miles NF742453 |
Gable-end of building 4m Occasional, exhibited as warning of imminent firing: FR from 60 to 15 minutes before firing begins; isophase from 15 minutes before until end of firing image LR22; EX453N; (apparently not charted) |
Onastic lights: | ||
| MT03-11 A4000 114-0 |
Loch Carnan Ldg lts front R 1/2, 7m, 5 miles NF832430 |
Hooded light on top of concrete cabinet 1m Separate wooden pole 2m with red stripe and white diamond image Easily reached on foot from public road LR22; EX453N; CH2904 |
| MT03-12 A4000·1 114-0 |
Loch Carnan Ldg lts rear R Iso/10, 11m, 5 miles NF831429 |
Hooded light on pole with red stripe and white diamond 4m image Easily reached on foot from public road LR22; EX453N; CH2904 |
Tower light: | ||
|
MT04 A4004 114-0 |
Ushenish WR 1/20, 54m, 19/15 miles NF873350 |
Established 1857 (David and Thomas Stevenson) White tower 12m no image available from Michael (but see the website of the Northern Lighthouse Board --photo credit Northern Lighthouse Board) Access by boat, or five miles over rough country from nearest road LR22; EX453S; CH1795, CH2635 and CH2904 |
Onastic light: | ||
| MT04-01 A4009·5 114-0 |
Loch Boisdale N side G 1/6, 3m, 3 miles NF806189 |
Metal post 2m images LR31; EX453S; CH2770 |
| MT04-02 A4010 114-0 |
Lochboisdale RoRo Head RG Iso/4, 8m, 2 miles NF794193 |
Grey metal post 5m image Access from pier: access to all other structures in Loch Boisdale by boat only LR31; EX453S; CH2770 |
| MT04-03 A4010·1 114-0 |
Lochboisdale RoRo
terminal (Pier?) 2FG, 8m, 3 miles NF793193 |
Grey metal post
on dolphin 3m image LR31; EX453S; CH2770 |
Islets and rocks in Loch Boisdale Onastic light: | ||
| MT04-04 A4009·8 114-0 |
Eilean Dubh R 2/5, 2m, 3 miles NF794192 |
Grey metal post on black pile 2m image LR31; EX453S; CH2770 |
| MT04-05 A4008·5 114-0 |
Gasay WR 1/5, 10m, 7 miles NF802188 |
Metal framework structure
with cladding on upper stage only 6m images range of red light increased, 2010 LR31; EX453S; CH1795 and CH2770 |
| MT04-06 A4008 114-0 |
Calvay WRG 2/10, 16m, 7 miles NF822179 |
Metal framework
structure with cladding on upper stage only 6m Image via telescope at 2 miles ranges of red and green lights increased, 2010 LR31; EX453S; CH1795 and CH2770 |
South Uist (continued) Girder-mounted lights: | ||
| MT04-07 A4010·61 114-0 |
Eriskay Causeway east side 1/4, ?, 3m NF781135 |
Shares Admiralty reference with MT06-02 image LR31; EX452N and EX453S inset; CH1795 and CH2770 |
| MT04-08 A4010·61 114-0 |
Eriskay Causeway west side 1/4, ?, 3m NF781135 |
Shares Admiralty reference with MT06-01 image image to show solar panels common to both lanterns LR31; EX452N and EX453S; CH1795 and CH2770 |
Onastic light: | ||
| MT04-09 A4010·33 114-0 |
Ludaig Breakwater 2FR, 6m, 3 miles NF777139 |
Grey metal post 4m image LR31; EX452N and EX4543S; CH2770 |
The references MT04-10 and -11 are not used Eriskay (clockwise) Onastic lights: | ||
| MT04-12 A4011·1 114-0 |
Ceann a'Gharaidh Ferry terminal Breakwater head G 1/4, 3m, 3 miles NF783104 |
Also spelt Kennagarry Grey metal post 2m image LR31; EX452N and EX453S inset; CH1795 and CH2770 |
| MT04-13 A4010·65 114-0 |
Haunn Pier 2FR, 5m, 5 miles NF799121 |
Grey metal post 5m image LR31; EX452N and EX453S inset; CH2770 |
| MT04-14 A4011·6 114-0 |
Acarseid Pier 2FG, 5m, 2 miles NF793098 |
Grey metal post 4m image LR31; EX452N and EX453S inset; CH2770 |
| MT04-15 A4011·51 114-0 |
Acarseid Mhòr Ldg lts rear R Oc/6, 10m, 4 miles NF796095 |
Orange post with white triangle point down
3m image LR31; EX452N and EX453S inset; CH2770 |
| MT04-16 A4011·5 114-0 |
Acarseid Mhòr Ldg lts front R Oc/6, 9m, 4 miles NF796095 |
Orange post with white triangle point up
2m image LR31; EX452N and EX453S inset; CH1795 and CH2770 |
Sgeir Lingay Fhada Onastic light: | ||
| MT04-17 A4011·65 114-0 |
NW point R 1/4, 3m, 3 miles NF726040 |
Metal perch with red square 6m image LR31; EX452N; CH2770 |
Barra (clockwise) Onastic lights: | ||
| MT04-18 A4011·68 114-0 |
Aird Mhor Breakwater G/2.5, 6m, 3 miles NF732039 |
Grey metal post 4m image LR31; EX452N; CH2770 |
| MT04-19 A4011·69 114-0 |
Aird Mhor ferry terminal 2FR, 5m, 2 miles NF722038 |
Grey metal post image LR31; EX452N; CH2770 |
| MT04-20 A4011·7 114-0 |
Ardveenish Point WRG Oc/3, 6m, 9/6/6 miles NF719032 |
Tube-light on square grey metal post 4m image LR31; EX452N; CH2770 |
| MT04-21 A4011·8 114-0 |
Ardveenish Pier 2FG, 8m, 4 miles NF717031 |
Square grey metal post 8m image LR31; EX452N; CH2770 |
Isolated rock Onastic light: | ||
| MT04-22 A4012 114-0 |
Sgeir Dubh 3QG/6, 6m, 5 miles NL667966 |
Off Orasay White concrete column with green bands 8m image LR31; EX452N; CH2769 |
Barra (continued) Onastic lights: | ||
| MT04-23 A4019·5 114-0 |
Castlebay RoRo 2FG, 7m, 3 miles NL665981 |
Metal post 5m image LR31; EX452N; CH2769 |
| MT04-24 A4019·4 114-0 |
Castlebay R 1/2, 2m, 3 miles NL662980 |
Square metal post 4m image LR31; EX452N; CH2769 |
| MT04-25 A4019·1 114-0 |
Rubha Glas Ldg lts rear FBu, 15m, 6 miles NL64 5976 |
White framework structure with wooden
cladding on one face only, orange triangle point down 4m This and the front light are the only blue lights in Scotland images front and rear LR31; EX452N; CH2769 |
| MT04-26 A4019 114-0 |
Rubha Glas Ldg lts front FBu, 9m, 6 miles NL650973 |
White framework structure with wooden cladding on one face only, orange triangle point up 5m This and the rear light are the only blue lights in Scotland images front and rear LR31; EX452N; CH2769 |
Vatersay Onastic light: | ||
| MT04-27 A4012·5 114-0 |
Channel Rock WR 1/6, 4m, 6/4 miles NL667959 |
White concrete column with red bands 7m Off the easterly point of the island image LR31; EX452N; CH2769 |
Berneray Tower light: | ||
| MT05 A4020 114- |
Barra Head 1/15, 208m, 18 miles NL549802 |
 Established 1833
(Robert Stevenson)White stone tower 18m The highest lighthouse in Britain Michael's images are taken through haze at a distance of about 12 miles. Much clearer images are on the website of the Northern Lighthouse Board (photo credit Northern Lighthouse Board) LR31; EX452S; CH245, CH2635 and CH2769 |