Lighthouses · Scottish Highlands
Kinnaird Head Lighthouse
In or near Sandhaven.
Kinnaird Head Lighthouse — former lighthouse based on a previous tower house, in Aberdeenshire, 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
Getting there & planning your visit
Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is located in the Scottish Highlands, with the postcode AB43 9DU. Entry is free, and the site is managed by the Northern Lighthouse Board.
About
Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is a working or historic lighthouse on the United Kingdom coast. Records date its origin to 1787. Constructed primarily of stone. Heritage designation: category A listed building. Managed by Northern Lighthouse Board. Part of Kinnaird Head lighthouses. Wikidata describes it as: "former lighthouse based on a previous tower house, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 57.6976°, -2.0040°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
There are two lighthouses located on Kinnaird Head, in Fraserburgh, Scotland: a historical one built in a converted castle; and its modern replacement, built in 1991. The original lighthouse now forms part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. The museum collection includes technical equipment relating to lighthouse illumination, navigation, and way making, as well as personal effects and small items that belonged to individual lightkeepers, including uniforms and hand-made model ships. Archival documents and photography from the operation of the lighthouse by the Northern Lighthouse Board are also part of the museum collection.
From Historic Environment Scotland under OGL v3.
Summary from the official site
Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located on the coast of Scotland. Visitors can explore the lighthouse and learn about its maritime history, as well as enjoy scenic views of the surrounding area.
Read more on the official property page.
From the Wikipedia article
There are two lighthouses located on Kinnaird Head, in Fraserburgh, Scotland: a historical one built in a converted castle; and its modern replacement, built in 1991. The original lighthouse now forms part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. The museum collection includes technical equipment relating to lighthouse illumination, navigation, and way making, as well as personal effects and small items that belonged to individual lightkeepers, including uniforms and hand-made model ships. Archival documents and photography from the operation of the lighthouse by the Northern Lighthouse Board are also part of the museum collection. The entire collection was recognised as nationally significant by the Scottish Government in June 2007.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Architecture
The original light at Kinnaird Head Lighthouse was established by Thomas Smith on 1 December 1787. A lantern was set 120 ft above the sea on a tower of the old castle. Whale oil lamps produced a fixed light, each backed by a parabolic reflector. Kinnaird Head was the most powerful light of its time, and contained 17 reflectors arranged in 3 horizontal tiers. It was reported to be visible from 12 to. The first lighthouse keeper was James Park, who was paid a shilling per night and remained in the job for nearly a decade.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 57.6976, -2.0040
- District
- Aberdeenshire
- Postcode
- AB43 9DU
- Parliamentary constituency
- Aberdeenshire North and Moray East
- Established
- 1787
- Official site
- www.historicenvironment.scot
Sources
- wikidata: Q2514051 (CC0)
- commons: Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse 20110520.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- wikipedia: Kinnaird Head Lighthouses (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
Museums · 0.0 km
Kinnaird Head
Other places · 0.0 km
Kinnaird Head lighthouses
Lighthouses · 0.0 km
New Kinnaird Head Lighthouse
Lighthouses · 0.0 km
Fraserburgh Wine Tower
Literary houses · 0.1 km
Kinnaird Head Castle
Castles · 0.1 km
Wine Tower
Natural landmarks · 0.1 km
Fraserburgh Heritage Centre
Museums · 0.1 km
The Saltoun Inn
Historic pubs · 0.4 km
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Fraserburgh Old Parish Church
Historic churches · 0.5 km
Fraserburgh Lifeboat Crew Memorial
Memorials & monuments · 0.5 km
Saltoun Mausoleum
Follies · 0.5 km
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Kinnaird Head Lighthouse?
- Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is in the Scottish Highlands, United Kingdom (postcode AB43 9DU).
- What is Kinnaird Head Lighthouse?
- Kinnaird Head Lighthouse — former lighthouse based on a previous tower house, in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Kinnaird Head Lighthouse?
- Drivers can use postcode AB43 9DU.
- When was Kinnaird Head Lighthouse built?
- Built or established in 1787.
- Who runs Kinnaird Head Lighthouse?
- Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is operated by Northern Lighthouse Board.
- Is Kinnaird Head Lighthouse a listed building?
- Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is officially recognised as category A listed building listed.
- Is Kinnaird Head Lighthouse free to visit?
- Yes, Kinnaird Head Lighthouse is free to enter.
- How do I get to Kinnaird Head Lighthouse?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode AB43 9DU. It sits within the Aberdeenshire North and Moray East parliamentary constituency.