Lighthouses · Central Scotland
Old Isle of May Lighthouse
In or near Pittenweem.
Old Isle of May Lighthouse — lighthouse in Fife, 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
Old Isle of May Lighthouse is a working or historic lighthouse on the United Kingdom coast. Records date its origin to 1635. Heritage designation: scheduled monument. Managed by James Maxwell, 1st Earl of Dirletoun. Wikidata describes it as: "lighthouse in Fife, Scotland, UK". Coordinates: 56.1858°, -2.5565°.
Photo gallery
Heritage listing
The Old Isle of May Lighthouse is an industrial structure designed for light, warning, and signal purposes, significant for its role in marine navigation. It was added to the scheduled monuments list on 08/07/1958, reflecting its historical importance and contribution to maritime safety in the Fife area.
From the Historic England List Entry under OGL v3.
Official information
The Isle of May National Nature Reserve is a vital sanctuary for seabirds and seals, offering visitors the chance to witness nesting seabirds and the largest Atlantic grey seal colony in eastern Britain. The island is rich in natural beauty and history, with opportunities for exploration and learning about its diverse wildlife.
Place summary
The Old Isle of May Lighthouse is a historic lighthouse located in central Scotland. Established in 1635 during the Tudor-Stuart era, it is designated as a scheduled monument. The lighthouse was operated by James Maxwell, 1st Earl of Dirletoun.
AI-generated from the structured facts on this page (operator, designation, listing, era). Not a substitute for visiting.
- Coordinates
- 56.1858, -2.5565
- Phone
- 01738 458800
- Established
- 1635
- Official site
- www.nature.scot
Sources
- wikidata: Q17817352 (CC0)
- commons: May Isle first lighthouse - geograph.org.uk - 363015.jpg (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Other places nearby
Isle of May
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Isle of May Lighthouse
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Isle of May Low Light (historical)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Old Isle of May Lighthouse?
- Old Isle of May Lighthouse is in central Scotland, United Kingdom.
- What is Old Isle of May Lighthouse?
- Old Isle of May Lighthouse — lighthouse in Fife, Scotland, UK.
- How do I get to Old Isle of May Lighthouse?
- Its coordinates are 56.1858°, -2.5565°.
- When was Old Isle of May Lighthouse built?
- Built or established in 1635.
- Who runs Old Isle of May Lighthouse?
- Old Isle of May Lighthouse is operated by James Maxwell, 1st Earl of Dirletoun.
- Is Old Isle of May Lighthouse a listed building?
- Old Isle of May Lighthouse is officially recognised as scheduled monument listed.
- Is Old Isle of May Lighthouse free to visit?
- Yes, Old Isle of May Lighthouse is free to enter.