Lighthouses · Scottish Lowlands
Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse
In or near Ardtalla.
Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse — lighthouse in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.

Wikimedia Commons contributors — see linked file page for photographer and licence licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 30 min–1 h
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
About
Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse is a working or historic lighthouse on the United Kingdom coast. Heritage designation: category C listed building. Wikidata describes it as: "lighthouse in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 55.6685°, -6.0199°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
Category C Date Added 15/12/2020 Local Authority Argyll And Bute Planning Authority Argyll And Bute Parish Kildalton NGR NR 47312 48999 Coordinates 147312, 648999 — Eilean a' Ch irn Lighthouse was built in 1907 by the Northern Lighthouse Board to plans by David Alan Stevenson and Charles Stevenson. Standing on a raised concrete base, Eilean a' Ch irn is an octagonal concrete tower 11 metres high with a metal gallery. The tower is topped by a cast iron conical-roofed lantern with triangular-shaped storm panes and astragal bars. The whole structure is painted white, and the LED light displays three white flashes every 18 seconds and has a range of 5 nautical miles. Access to the interior is provided with a wooden door while the exterior balcony level is accessed via an external metal ladder. Two solar panels are mounted on one of the concrete faces. The interior is divided into two spaces. The lower section houses the banks of batteries. It has a small square window. An internal metal ladder leads directly to the upper section of the lantern housing the LED light. In accordance with Section 1 (4A) of the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) (Scotland) Act 1997 the following are excluded from the listing: the solar panels on the lighthouse tower. Historical development Northern Lighthouse Board announced in 1906, the contracting of Messrs D&J Macdougall, Oban to lay foundations for a minor light at Eilean a' Ch irn (Scotsman 7 July 1906). The lighthouse became operational in 1907 marking the southeastern corner of Islay and the southern approaches to the Sound of Islay. Before its conversion in 2002 to solar power, Eilean a' Ch irn Lighthouse was originally powered by acetylene gas. Cylinders of acetylene gas were supplied to lighthouses to power the lights,
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
Place summary
Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse is located in the Scottish Highlands. This category C listed building serves as a navigational aid, marking the entrance to the Sound of Mull. Its design and operational history contribute to its significance within the region.
AI-generated from the structured facts on this page (operator, designation, listing, era). Not a substitute for visiting.
- Coordinates
- 55.6685, -6.0199
Sources
- wikidata: Q108408698 (CC0)
- commons: The Lighthouse, Eilean a'Chùirn - geograph.org.uk - 3931531.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby

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Torr a' Mhealain
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Kildalton Chapel
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Druim Arn-ir-ach, dun site
Archaeological sites · 3.5 km
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse?
- Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom.
- What is Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse?
- Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse — lighthouse in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse?
- Its coordinates are 55.6685°, -6.0199°.
- Is Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse a listed building?
- Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse is officially recognised as category C listed building listed.
- Is Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse free to visit?
- Yes, Eilean a' Chùirn Lighthouse is free to enter.