Sumburgh Head Lighthouse

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

Sumburgh Head Lighthouse
LocationSumburgh Head
Shetland
Scotland
OS gridHU4072307872
Coordinates59.854053°N 1.274585°W / 59.854053; -1.274585
Tower
Constructed1821
Built byRobert Stevenson Edit this on Wikidata
Constructionmasonry tower
Automated1991
Height17 metres (56 ft)
Shapecylindrical tower with balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower, black lantern, ochre trim
OperatorSumburgh Head Lighthouse[1][2]
Heritagecategory A listed building Edit this on Wikidata
Light
Focal height91 metres (299 ft)
Range23 nautical miles (43 km; 26 mi)
CharacteristicFl (3) W 30s.

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 in Shetland.[1] From 1906 until 1987, there was also an active 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 foghorn was restored in 2015 and sounds on special occasions. 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 restored the lighthouse facilities and built a visitor centre which opened in 2014.[1] The lighthouse is protected as a category A listed building.[3]

See also

References
  1. Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Scotland: Shetland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
  2. Sumburgh Head Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 29 May 2016
  3. Historic Environment Scotland. "Sumburgh Head, Sumburgh Lighthouse... (Category A Listed Building) (LB5442)". Retrieved 22 March 2019.
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