Lighthouses of Scotland: Shetland Islands

The Shetland Islands are Scottish territories of Great Britain lying about 160 km (100 mi) northeast of the Scottish mainland. There are about 100 islands, of which 15 are inhabited. The Shetlands were a Norse colony during medieval times, becoming part of Scotland in 1472. The islands are accessible by air and by NorthLink ferries from Aberdeen. The Northern Lighthouse Board is responsible for building and maintaining the lighthouses in these northern islands. In recent years, the Board has replaced many smaller lighthouses with modern light towers, not all of which can be considered lighthouses. On the other hand, increasing ship traffic in the area has caused the Board to construct a series of new towers in Yell Sound and along the western edge of the islands. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. Admiralty numbers are from Volume A of the Admiralty List of Lights & Fog Signals. U.S. NGA numbers are from Publication 114. General Sources Northern Lighthouse Board The Board's web site includes information and photos for many of the lighthouses. Majaky - Shetland Photos posted by Anna Krákorova, a Czech lighthouse fan. Online List of Lights - Shetland Islands Photos posted by Alexander Trabas. Shetlopedia.com - Lighthouses Lighthouse pages on the wiki site devoted to the Shetlands. Lighthouse Beacons from Scotland Photos and very brief accounts posted by Sharma Krauskopf for her e-journal Scottish Radiance. Leuchttürme in Großbrittanien Several pages on Shetland lighthouses are available on the Pharologie.de web site. Britische Leuchttürme auf historischen Postkarten Historic postcard images posted by Klaus Huelse. The Stevensons The history of Scotland's remarkable family of lighthouse engineers.

Bressay Light, August 2009 anonymous Creative Commons photo

Fair Isle Lighthouses

Note: Fair Isle is an isolated island about 50 km (30 mi) south of Shetland Mainland. The island is accessible by air from Lerwick twice a week in the summer and once a week in the winter, or by ferry from Sumbergh three times a week in the summer and once a week in the winter. The permanent population is less than 100. * Fair Isle South (Skadden) 1892 (David A. and Charles Stevenson). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); four white flashes, separated by 2 s, every 30 s. 26 m (85 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted black. 2-story keeper's quarters and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. Original lens removed; the light is now shown from a solar-powered lens mounted on the gallery. Fog horn (2 blasts every 60 s). Jeroen Minderman's photo is at right, Trabas has an excellent photo, Shetlopedia has several photos, and Sarah Stout has a fine 2007 photo. Three members of keepers' families were killed at the station during German air raids in 1941-42, and the buildings suffered significant damage. In March 1998, this was the last Scottish lighthouse to be automated. Located at the southwestern tip of the island; accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-079; Admiralty A3750; NGA 3312. * Fair Isle North (Skroo) 1892 (David A. and Charles Stevenson). Active; focal plane 80 m (262 ft); two white flashes, separated by 2 s, every 30 s. 14 m (46 ft) round cylindrical masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted black. 1-story keeper's quarters and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. Trabas has a great closeup photo, Shetlopedia has several photos, Sarah Stout has a fine 2007 photo, and Huelse has a historic postcard view. The station was heavily damaged by two German air raids in the spring of 1941. Located at the northeastern tip of the island; accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-078; Admiralty A3756; NGA 3316.

Fair Isle South Light, May 2006 photo copyright Jeroen Minderman; used by permission

Southeastern Shetlands Lighthouses

** Sumburgh Head 1821 (Robert Stevenson). Active; focal plane 91 m (300 ft); three white flashes, separated by 2.1 s, every 30 s. 17 m (56 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted black. 1-story keeper's houses and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. This is the oldest Shetland lighthouse. The principal keeper's house is available for overnight accommodations. Markus Schroeder's photo is at right, Shetlopedia has several photos, Richard Poppleton has a great closeup, Felix van de Gein's distant view reveals the spectacular setting of this lighthouse, Pharologie.de has a page with good photos, and Google has a satellite view. The area around the light station is a preserve managed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds; the preserve office is located in another of the keeper's houses. Located at the southern tip of Shetland Mainland about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of Sumburgh. In February 2008 the Shetland Amenity Trust announced that it would spend £1.5 million to restore the lighthouse and provide a visitor center, improved road access, and additional accommodations. These improvements were assisted by a grant of £683,000 from the Heritage Lottery Fund in October 2009. Accessible by road. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. Site manager: Sumburgh Head Nature Reserve. ARLHS SCO-232; Admiralty A3766; NGA 3320. [Mousa (2)] Date unknown (recent) (station established 1951). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); white flash every 3 s. 6 m (20 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. A 2008 view is available, Trabas has a good photo by Klaus Potschien of the original lighthouse shortly before its replacement, and Google has a fuzzy satellite view. Located on Perie Bard Islet at the east end of Mousa Island, off Sandwick on the southeast coast of Shetland Mainland, about halfway between the Sumbergh and Bressay lighthouses. Mousa, a Royal Society for the Protection of Birds sanctuary, is accessible in good weather by passenger ferry from Sandwick. Site status unknown. Site manager: Mousa Nature Reserve. ARLHS SCO-138; Admiralty A3772; NGA 3324.

Sumburgh Head Light, September 2007 Creative Commons photo by Markus Schroeder

** Bressay (Kirkabister Ness)

1858 (David and Thomas Stevenson). Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); two white flashes, separated by 2 s, every 20 s. 16 m (52 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted black. A complete light station, including a principal keeper's house, two assistant keeper's houses, engine room, and other buildings enclosed by a stone wall. A photo appears at the top of this page, Shetlopedia has a fine collection of photos, another photo is available, Pharologie.de has a page for the lighthouse, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. In 1995 the buildings other than the light tower were sold to the Shetland Amenity Trust. The two assistant keeper's houses have been renovated for overnight accomodations. Located on Kirkabister Ness on the southwest side of the island of Bressay, marking the southern entrance to the harbor of Lerwick, the principal town of the Shetlands. The island is accessible by a short ferry ride from Lerwick; the light station accessible by road. Parking provided. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. Site manager: Bressay Light. ARLHS SCO-021; Admiralty A3776; NGA 3340.

[Rova Head (2)]

2002 (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); three flashes every 18 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Trabas has a photo by Klaus Potschien of the original lighthouse, a cast iron tower, and Google has a satellite view. Located on an island on the west side of the northern entrance to Bressay Sound and Lerwick, off Blackhill Road about 5 km (3 mi) north of Lerwick. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-187; Admiralty A3794; NGA 3404.

[Hoo Stack]

Date unknown. Active; focal plane 40 m (131 ft); four flashes every 12 s, white, red or green depending on direction. Located atop a small island off the east coast of Shetland Mainland, about 5 km (3 mi) southeast of Brettabister; Google has a satellite view. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-102; Admiralty A3795.7; NGA 3407.

[Moul (Mull) of Eswick (2)] 1995 (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 50 m (164 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Robert Sandison has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Shetlopedia has a photo of the original lighthouse, which was destroyed when a large section of the cliff collapsed into the sea on 5 November 1994. The site is famous for its spectacular view of the eastern Shetlands. Located on a bluff about 1.2 km (3/4 mi) east southeast of Eswick and 1.6 km (1 mi) north of Hoo Stack. Accessible by road and a short hike. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. Admiralty A3796; NGA 3408. * [Symbister Ness (2)] Date unknown (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 11 m (36 ft); two flashes every 12 s, white or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Lighthouse Explorer has a postcard view of the original lighthouse contributed by Michel Forand, Shetlopedia has images of both the old and new lights, and Google has a satellite view. Located at the southwestern point of Whalsay, about 500 m (0.3 mi) west of the harbor of Symbister, the principal town of the island. Island accessible by ferry from Laxo on Shetland Mainland. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-235; Admiralty A3802; NGA 3412. * [Suther Ness (2)] Date unknown (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); flash every 3 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Shetlopedia has a photo, John Dally has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a low cape sheltering the north side of the harbor at Brough, on the north coast of Whalsay. Island accessible by ferry from Laxo on Shetland Mainland; lighthouse accessible by a short walk. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-233; Admiralty A3804; NGA 3416. Out Skerries (Bound Skerry) 1858 (David and Thomas Stevenson). Active; focal plane 44 m (144 ft); white flash every 20 s. 30 m (98 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, painted white; lantern painted black. No keeper's house; the keepers formerly lived on the nearby island of Grunay. Anna Krákorova's photo is at right, an extreme closeup is available, Shetlopedia has several photos, and a view from the sea is available. This light station was strafed by a German submarine in February 1941, but it escaped signifcant damage. The Out Skerries ("Out" is derived from the Norwegian for "East") are a group of small islands northeast of the main Shetland group. The islands are accessible by a daily ferry. Located on Bound Skerry, a small island at the extreme eastern end of the island group. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-164; Admiralty A3807; NGA 3420.

Out Skerries Light, June 2006 photo copyright Anna Krákorova; used by permission

Northern Shetlands Lighthouses
Lunna Holm

1985. Active; focal plane 19 m (62 ft); three white flashes every 15 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 7 m (26 ft) round white tower, according to the NGA listing. Mike Pennington has a distant view from the sea, and Google has a satellite view. This is probably a sibling of the Point of Fethaland Light, one of several modern lights built in the Shetlands as the development of the North Sea oil fields increased ship traffic in the area. Located on an island just off the tip of the Lunna peninsula at the northeastern tip of Shetland Mainland. Accessible only by boat. Site status unknown. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-132; Admiralty A3811; NGA 3426.

* Firths Voe 1909 (David A. and Charles Stevenson). Active; focal plane 9 m (29 ft); light 6 s on, 2 s off, white, red, or green depending on direction. 9 m (29 ft) round cylindrical cast iron (?) tower with lantern and gallery, painted white. 1-story stone keeper's cottage. Shetlopedia's photo is at right, Trabas has a photo by Klaus Potschien, Mike Pennington has a photo, Krákorova has a photo, and Google has a satellite view. Located in Firth, on the northern part of Shetland Mainland. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-082; Admiralty A3812; NGA 3428. * [Ness of Sound (2)] Date unknown (station established 1909). Active; focal plane 18 m (59 ft); three flashes every 12 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Mike Pennington has a view from the sea, and Google has a satellite view. Trabas has a distant view by Klaus Potschien of the original cast iron lighthouse. Located on the west side of a blunt peninsula projecting into Yell Sound, about 4 km (2.5 mi) north of the ferry terminal at Ulsta on the south end of Yell. Accessible by a hiking trail off the A968 highway between Clothan and West Yell. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-148; Admiralty A3814; NGA 3432. Little Holm 1976. Active; focal plane 12 m (39 ft); white light, 2 s on, 2 s off. 7 m (23 ft) white tower. No photo available; we need information on the form of this light. Google has a satellite view. Little Holm is an island in the middle of Yell Sound about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) south of Muckle Holm. Site and tower closed (bird sanctuary). Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. Site manager: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. ARLHS SCO-124; Admiralty A3819; NGA 3456.

Firths Voe Light, 2006 anonymous Shetlopedia.com Creative Commons photo

[Muckle Holm]

1976. Active; focal plane 32 m (105 ft); four white flashes every 10 s. 7 m (23 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Google has a satellite view. Muckle Holm is an island in the middle of Yell Sound about 4 km (2.5 mi) east of North Roe on Shetland Mainland and a similar distance west of West Sandwick on Yell. Site and tower closed (bird sanctuary). Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. Site manager: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. ARLHS SCO-140; Admiralty A3818; NGA 3452.

* Point of Fethaland

1977. Active; focal plane 65 m (213 ft); three flashes every 15 s, white or red depending on direction. 7 m (23 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern, painted white. One of several modern lights built to guide tankers to the oil terminal at Sullom Voe near Firths Voe. Shetlopedia has several photos, and Google has a satellite view. The Isle of Fethaland (actually a narrow-necked peninsula, not an island) is the picturesque northern tip of Shetland Mainland. Located near the extreme tip of the peninsula, accessible by a hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-173; Admiralty A3817.5; NGA 3448.

[Gruney (2)]

2004 (station established 1976). Active; focal plane 53 m (174 ft); white flash every 5 s; red flashes are shown to the west and southwest. 7 m (23 ft) square skeletal structure covered by white aluminum panels as a daymark. No closeup photo available, but Google has a satellite view. In December 2003 the Navigation Committee of the Northern Lighthouse Board voted to replace the original light with the "standard aluminum lattice tower." Located on a rocky island about 2.5 km (1.5 mi) north of the Point of Fethaland Light; Site and tower closed (bird sanctuary). Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. Site manager: Royal Society for the Protection of Birds. ARLHS SCO-093; Admiralty A3817; NGA 3444.

* [Vatsetter (Whitehill) (2)]

Date unknown (station established 1904). Active; focal plane 24 m (79 ft); flash every 4 s, white or red depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) square skeletal structure covered by white aluminum panels as a daymark. Located on a promontory on the central east coast of Yell, about 6 km (4 mi) east of Mid Yell. Accessible by a hike of about 3 km (2 mi) from the end of the road at Vatsetter. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SCO-256; Admiralty A3824; NGA 3520.

Bagi Stack

1976. Active; focal plane 45 m (148 ft); four white flashes every 20 s. 7 m (23 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Mike Pennington has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Located atop a cliff on the northwestern point of the island of Yell. This site does not appear to be accessible by road. Site and tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-013; Admiralty A3816; NGA 3440.

Balta Sound (2) 2004 (station established 1895). Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); flash every 10 s, white or red depending on direction. 16 m (52 ft) square pyramidal aluminum skeletal tower with enclosed upper portion. Lighthouse painted green. The original lighthouse, designed by David A. Stevenson, was one of the first concrete lighthouses in the U.K. Mike Pennington has a 2003 photo of the old light. The lantern and lens of the old lighthouse have been donated to the Shetland Amenity Trust for display at a location which had not been determined. Located on the east side of Balta, an island off the entrance to Balta Sound and Unst. Accessible only by boat. Site open, tower closed. ARLHS SCO-014; Admiralty A3828; NGA 3524. * [Holm of Skaw] Date unknown. Active; focal plane 8 m (26 ft); white flash every 5 s. 6 m (20 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Mike Pennington has a distant view, and Google has a satellite view. Located on a small island at the northeastern tip of Unst. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-098; Admiralty A3834; NGA 3542. Muckle Flugga (North Unst) 1858 (David and Thomas Stevenson). Active; focal plane 66 m (215 ft); two white flashes, separated by 3.5 s, every 20 s. 20 m (66 ft) round masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white; lantern painted black. Keane Beamish's photo is at right, Shetlopedia has a good page for this lighthouse, with photos and historical information, Mike Pennington has a closeup photo, Trabas has a photo, Pharologie.de has panoramic views, Huelse has a historic postcard view, and Google has a satellite view. This lighthouse marks the northernmost point of the British Isles, off the northwestern point of the island of Unst. The area is incorporated in the Hermaness National Nature Reserve, and the reserve's visitor center at Haroldswick is housed in one of the buildings of the former shore station of the lighthouse. Located atop a steep-sided rocky islet; accessible only by helicopter (landing from boats is very dangerous). Site and tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-139; Admiralty A3832; NGA 3540.

Muckle Flugga Light, May 2000 Creative Commons photo by Keane Beamish

Southwestern Shetlands Lighthouses

* Esha Ness (Eshaness) (2) 1929 (David A. Stevenson). Station established 1915. Active; focal plane 61 m (199 ft); white flash every 12 s. 12 m (40 ft) square masonry tower with lantern and gallery, rising from 1-story keeper's house. Lighthouse painted white, lantern black. A photo is at right, Pharologie.de has a page for the lighthouse, Trabas has a photo by Klaus Potschien, Shetlopedia has two photos, and Google has a satellite view. The keeper's house was sold as a private residence in 1974. In 1999 the house was purchased by Dean and Sharma Krauskopf, and for years Ms. Krauskopf contributed a monthly column to Lighthouse Digest on life at a lighthouse in the Shetlands. In early 2005, Sharma Krauskopf sold the house to the Shetland Amenity Trust, which has made it available for holiday accommodations. The lighthouse is the last in the long line of Stevenson-designed lighthouses in Scotland. Located on the Eshaness cliffs about 2 km (1.2 mi) north of Stenness. Accessible by road (4WD recommended). Site and tower closed, but the lighthouse can viewed from outside the enclosure. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-075; Admiralty A3838; NGA 3544. * [Hillswick (Ura Firth)] (2) Date unknown (station established 1895). Active; focal plane 34 m (112 ft); four flashes every 15 s, white or red depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Lis Burke has a photo. Located on a promontory on the west side of the entrance to Ura Firth, about 1.6 km (1 mi) south of Hillswick. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-096; Admiralty A3840; NGA 3548.

Esha Ness Light, September 2006 anonymous Creative Commons photo

[Muckle Roe (Swarbacks Minn) (2)]

Date unknown (station established 1897). Active; focal plane 30 m (98 ft); white flash every 3 s; red flashes are shown over rocks and shallow water near shore. 7 m (23 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Steve Lucas has a good photo, and Trabas has a photo by Klaus Potschien of the original cast iron lighthouse. Muckle Roe is a circular island southwest of Brae on the western side of Shetland Mainland. Island accessible by bridge. Located on the southwestern side of the island, marking the northern entrance to Swarbacks Minn, a broad sound leading Brae, Voe, Aith, and other western Shetland ports. According to Lucas, hiking to the light is "quite a walk, but well worth it." Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-141; Admiralty A3844; NGA 3552.

Ve Skerries 1979. Active; focal plane 17 m (56 ft); two white flashes, separated by 2 s, every 20 s. 16 m (52 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and double gallery. Shetlopedia has a photo from the Shetland Museum. The Ve Skerries are very dangerous rocks off Papa Stour island and the southwestern coast of Shetland Mainland. This modern lighthouse is anchored to one of the rocks by 18 steel bars. Located about 10 km (6 mi) northwest of Melby. Accessible only by boat is tumultuous seas. Site and tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-253; Admiralty A3847; NGA 3556. * [White Ness (Ram's Head, Vaila Sound)] (2) Date unknown (station established 1894). Active; focal plane 16 m (52 ft); flash every 8 s, white, red or green depending on direction. 5 m (17 ft) square cylindrical skeletal tower enclosed by white aluminum panels. Located on a promontory at the east side of the entrance to Vaila Sound and the west side of the entrance to Gruting Voe, about 1.5 km (1 mi) south of Whiteness. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-178; Admiralty A3850; NGA 3560. * Fugla Ness (2) 1936 (station established 1893). Active; focal plane 20 m (66 ft); two flashes every 10 s, white, red, or green depending on direction. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical concrete tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a small equipment room. A closeup photo is at right, Trabas has a photo by Klaus Potschien, and Bob Embleton has a sunset photo. Located at the end of a rocky peninsula on the west side of the entrance to the harbor of Hamnavoe on West Burra, an island connected by bridge to Shetland Mainland. Accessible from town by a hike of about 1200 m (3/4 mi). Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-086; Admiralty A3858; NGA 3564. * Foula 1986. Active; focal plane 36 m (118 ft); three white flashes, separated by 2.7 s, every 15 s. Approx. 8 m (26 ft) round cylindrical metal tower with lantern and gallery; 4° Fresnel lens. Lighthouse painted white. Charles Tait also has a good photo; the large fuel cylinder standing behind the light tower in Tait's photo was removed when the light was solarized in 2000. Foula is an isolated island about 40 km (25 mi) west of West Burra. The island is accessible by ferry. Located at the south point of the island; accessible by hiking trail. Site open, tower closed. Operator: Northern Lighthouse Board. ARLHS SCO-085; Admiralty A3860; NGA 3562.

Fugla Ness Light, May 2004 anonymous Creative Commons photo

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Posted September 22, 2004. Checked and revised September 1, 2009. Lighthouses: 30. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.