Souter Lighthouse

The lighthouse was a much-needed aid to navigation due to the number of wrecks on the dangerous reefs of Whitburn Steel which lay directly under the water in the surrounding area. In one year alone – 1860 – there were 20 shipwrecks. This contributed to making this coastline the most dangerous in the country, with an average of around 44 shipwrecks per every mile of coastline.

The lighthouse and associated buildings were designed for Trinity House by their Chief Engineer, James Douglass; its construction was supervised by on-site engineer Henry Norris. Alongside the lighthouse tower a number of other buildings were laid out around a quadrangle, including the engine room and boiler house, and five dwellings; all were built of rubble masonry, rendered with Portland cement. and was awarded to the local firm of James Todd, after complaints that local builders had not had the opportunity to reply to tender as it had not been advertised locally. The foundation stone was ceremonially laid by Admiral Collinson's sister on 9 June 1869. Building works were completed in…

As Souter was never automated, it remains much in its original operational state except for updates during its lifespan to its lantern and electrical apparatus. In 2011, South Tyneside Council and the National Trust commissioned artists Joshua Portway and Lise Autogena to produce an artistic work around the lighthouse. The result was Foghorn Requiem, a musical composition written by Orlando Gough for the lighthouse's foghorn, ships’ horns and brass bands. On 22 June 2013, it was performed at the lighthouse to an audience of thousands, with 65 musicians and over 50 ships taking part.