Barns Ness Lighthouse
Barns Ness Lighthouse is located 3.1 miles (5 km) from Dunbar and was constructed by the engineers and brothers David A. Stevenson and Charles Alexander Stevenson,[1] cousins of the novelist Robert Louis Stevenson, between 1899 and 1901.[2] Taking approximately 2½ years to construct, it was constructed from stone quarried from Craigree (near Cramond) and Barnton.[1] In 1976 is was described as a tall tower, slightly tapered with a circlar section having a circular lantern which has triangular panes and a domed roof. The keepers' cottages were, as is typical, one floored, flat roofed buildings which were coated with harling but had their quoins exposed. The lintel above the door to the lighthouse is dated 1901. Within the compound of the lighthouse there was also a sundial and a flagpole.[3]
 Barns Ness Lighthouse | |
| |
| Location | Near Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°59.2′N 2°26.6′W |
| Year first constructed | 1899-1901 |
| Year first lit | 1901 |
| Automated | 1986 |
| Deactivated | October, 2005 |
| Construction | Stone |
| Tower shape | Slightly Conical Circular Cylinder |
| Markings / pattern | White tower |
| Tower height | 37 metres (121 ft) |
| Focal height | 118 feet (36 m) |
| Intensity | 1,300,000 CD |
| Range | 8.7 nautical miles; 10.0 miles (16.1 km) |
| Characteristic | Isophase White every 4 Seconds |
| Heritage | category B listed building  |
The stone proved resilient during the Second World War, when the lighthouse was machine-gunned yet sustained no damage.[4]
The lighthouse was manned by two lighthouse-keepers until 1966 when it was electrified, with a backup generator and emergency battery (used if the generator failed). It remained semi-automated, requiring only a single keeper, until 1986, when it was completely automated.[1] The power of the sealed beam light system was up to 1,300,000 candlepower.[3]
In early 2005, the UK and Ireland lighthouse authorities issued a consultation regarding a review of lighthouses, and it was decided that the Barns Ness Lighthouse was no longer needed. It was deactivated in October 2005.[5] It was put up for sale in 2006.[3]
References
- "Barns Ness Lighthouse". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- "Barns Ness Lighthouse and Keepers Cottages". Go East Lothian. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- "Barns Ness, Lighthouse And Keepers' Cottages". Historic Environment Scotland. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- "10 stunning lighthouses to visit and stay in". Visit Scotland. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
- Liz Hanson (2013). East Lothian Through Time. Amberley Publsihing Limited. ISBN 1445635763.
- Northern Lighthouse Board: Northern Lighthouse Board – Barns Ness profile