Ardnamurchan Lighthouse is a listed 19th century lighthouse, located on Ardnamurchan Point in Lochaber part of the Highland council area of Scotland. The lighthouse with its 36-metre-tall (118 ft), pink granite tower was completed in 1849 to a design by Alan Stevenson.[1][2] It is the only lighthouse in the UK built in the Egyptian style.[3] Mains electricity was installed in 1976, the light was automated in 1988 and is now operated remotely by the Northern Lighthouse Board from Edinburgh.[2][4]
 Ardnamurchan Lighthouse | |
 | |
| Location | Lochaber Scotland |
|---|---|
| OS grid | NM4158767473 |
| Coordinates | 56°43′38″N 6°13′34″W / 56.7271°N 6.2260°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1849 |
| Built by | Alan Stevenson  |
| Construction | granite tower |
| Automated | 1988 |
| Height | 36 metres (118 ft) |
| Shape | Cylindrical Tower with balcony and lantern attached to 1-storey keeper's house |
| Markings | unpainted grey tower, black lantern |
| Operator | Northern Lighthouse Board |
| Heritage | category A listed building |
| Light | |
| Focal height | 55 metres (180 ft) |
| Range | 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (2) W 20s. |
The former keepers' cottages and outbuildings are owned by the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Trust and operated as a visitor centre,[2][5] with a museum called the 'Kingdom of Light' - Rioghachd na Sorcha. Exhibits detail the history and operations of the lighthouse, including access to the restored engine room and workshop with the original fog horn. Other displays include the geology and natural history of the area, and local social history and culture.[3]
A part-time light keeper is retained by the Northern Lighthouse Board who is based at Ardnamurchan and who also looks after Rubha nan Gall and Corran Point lighthouses. Less maintenance is required with the introduction of LED lights. At Ardnamurchan the power is only 48 watts although in 2019 it was increased to 72 watts.[4]
The last part of the computer game Sherlock Holmes: The Awakened takes place in this lighthouse.
In 2021, the lighthouse was featured in an episode of British motoring television programme Top Gear, where the presenters raced three off-road vehicles to deliver and fit a new light bulb.[6]
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Foghorn
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Scotland: Highlands". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 14 January 2017.
- ^ a b c "Ardnamurchan Lighthouse". Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
- ^ a b "Ardnamurchan Lighthouse". Ardnamurchan Lighthouse Trust. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
- ^ a b Drainey, Nick (2019). "Northern Lights". Scottish Field. April: 78–82.
- ^ "Ardnamurchan Lighthouse". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 18 September 2009.
- ^ "New Top Gear s30, ep3: Defender, Nomad and G63 in Scotland". topgear.com. BBC Top Gear. 28 March 2021. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
External links
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