Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse
Shetland
Location Sumburgh Head
Shetland
Scotland
Coordinates 59°51′15″N 1°16′29″W / 59.854053°N 1.274585°W / 59.854053; -1.274585Coordinates: 59°51′15″N 1°16′29″W / 59.854053°N 1.274585°W / 59.854053; -1.274585
Year first constructed 1821
Automated 1991
Construction masonry tower
Tower shape cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markings / pattern white tower, black lantern, ochre trim
Height 17 metres (56 ft)
Focal height 91 metres (299 ft)
Range 23 nautical miles (43 km; 26 mi)
Characteristic Fl (3) W 30s.
Admiralty number A3766
NGA number 3320
ARLHS number SCO-232
Managing agent Sumburgh Head Lighthouse[1][2]
Heritage category A listed building Edit this on Wikidata

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse is a lighthouse on Sumburgh Head at the southern tip of the Mainland of Shetland.

History

Foghorn and lighthouse
Diamond lattice window of the cylindrical lantern

The lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson in 1821 and is the oldest lighthouse on Shetland.[3] From 1906 until 1987 there was also a foghorn,[2] which is traversable in azimuth. This replaced a fog bell which had been presented after the loss of the Royal Victoria in 1864. The bell now hangs in the parish church at Dunrossness.[2] The light was automated in 1991 and the keepers' houses were converted into holiday accommodation. The lighthouse complex also has offices for the RSPB who look after the bird reserve which surrounds the lighthouse.

The Northern Lighthouse Board operate the light, whilst the Shetland Amenity Trust own the site and plan to restore the lighthouse facilities and build a visitor centre.[3] The lighthouse is protected as a category A listed building.[4]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Sumburgh Head The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 29 May 2016
  2. 1 2 3 Sumburgh Head Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 29 May 2016
  3. 1 2 Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Scotland: Shetland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  4. ↑ "Sumburgh Lighthouse: Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 25 August 2011.




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