Turnberry Lighthouse
Turnberry Lighthouse. or Turnberry Point Lighthouse, is a category B listed minor light on the South Ayrshire coast of Scotland. It was designed by David and Thomas Stevenson and completed in 1873. It is a conspicuous landmark from the Ayrshire Coastal Path and the Trump Turnberry golf resort.
.jpg.webp) Turnberry lighthouse in 2008 | |
| Location | Kirkoswald, South Ayrshire, Kirkoswald, United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 55°19′33″N 4°50′41″W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1873  |
| Built by | David Stevenson, Thomas Stevenson |
| Construction | stone (tower), iron (lantern) |
| Automated | 1986 |
| Height | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Shape | cylinder |
| Markings | white (tower), black (lantern), ochre (trim) |
| Power source | mains electricity |
| Operator | Northern Lighthouse Board |
| Heritage | category B listed building |
| Light | |
| First lit | 30 August 1873 |
| Focal height | 29 m (95 ft) |
| Range | 24 nmi (44 km; 28 mi) |
| Characteristic |  Fl W 15s |
History
Bristo Rock, off the stretch of Ayrshire coast near Turnberry Point, had been the cause of so many shipwrecks that in 1869 the Receiver of Wreck at Ayr suggested a lighthouse should be built on the rock. The engineers for the Northern Lighthouse Board, David and Thomas Stevenson examined the rock and decided it was not a suitable location but instead recommended a nearby onshore site, Turnberry Point, at a place where the moat of Turnberry Castle had once been.[1]
Construction started in 1871 at an estimated cost of £6,576. The building contractor was John Barr of Ardrossan and the lantern and machinery was by Milne and son. The light was first lit on 30 August 1873.[1]
Description
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Turnberry lighthouse is operated and maintained by the Northern Lighthouse Board.[2] The characteristic of the light is one flash of white light every 15 seconds. The tower is white, the lantern is at a height of 29 metres (95 ft) above high water and the light's nominal range is 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi). The lighthouse was automated in 1986 and became remotely monitored from the Northern Lighthouse Board Edinburgh offices.[1][3] The lighthouse was used as the land base for the Ailsa Craig lighthouse relief helicopter.[4] In 1992 the Northern Lighthouse Board sold the accommodation block to the then owners of the Turnberry golf course.[5] After a failed proposal to deactivate the light in 2012, it was converted to solar power and downgraded from a major to a minor light in 2013.[6][7]
The brick-built circular tower of the lighthouse tapers and is painted white. There are small rectangular windows spiralling up along the line of the 76-step staircase. The iron lantern has triangular-paned glazing surrounded by an iron railing. There is accommodation attached at the base of the tower to the east, west and south.[8][9] The long distance Ayrshire Coastal Path passes nearby.[10]
Conversion to restaurant and holiday accommodation
Retaining the ownership of the site and the operation of the lighthouse itself, in 2015 the Northern Lighthouse Board leased the utility and services buildings at the foot of the lighthouse, and a bothy, to the Trump Organisation which by that time owned the golf course. In 2016 there was a major renovation of the property owned and leased by the Trump Organisation so as to create holiday accommodation and a restaurant next to the ninth green.[5][7][11]
References
- "Turnberry". Northern Lighthouse Board. 2021. Archived from the original on 28 January 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- "Lighthouses". Northern Lighthouse Board. Archived from the original on 17 August 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- McConnell, David (2010). Rails to Turnberry and Heads of Ayr : the Maidens & Dunure Light Railway and the Butlin's Branch. Usk : Oakwood Press. p. 31. ISBN 978-0-85361-699-3.
- Historic Environment Scotland. "Turnberry Lighthouse And Keepers' Houses (40584)". Canmore. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- "UK accused of 'sweetheart deal' with Donald Trump over Turnberry lighthouse". www.scotsman.com. 31 May 2019. Archived from the original on 4 January 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses Report and Accounts to 31 March 2014 (PDF). Northern Lighthouse Board. 2014. p. 31. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- "Lighthouses of the United Kingdom: Southwestern Scotland". Lighthouse Directory. Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina. Archived from the original on 27 July 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- Historic Environment Scotland. "Turnberry Lighthouse and Keepers' Houses (Category B Listed Building) (LB12991)". Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- "The Lighthouse & Ailsa Craig". Trump Turnberry. Archived from the original on 31 July 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- "Walk 124 – Ayrshire Coastal Path: Girvan -Turnberry – Maidens (10 miles)". Gillian's Walks. 10 April 2017. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 29 August 2021.
- "First look inside Trump Turnberry Lighthouse, now a £7000 a night retreat". Daily Record. 1 June 2016. Archived from the original on 30 August 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2021.