Michael’s Comprehensive List of Scottish Lights

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Section N:  Orkney Islands

(Orkney Islands)

Plan of the Northern Part of the Section

Plan of the Southern Part of the Section

21 towers and 58 other structures


Islands are treated in the following order, usually anti-clockwise in the same manner as the mainland, but sometimes clockwise for convenience' sake: Pentland Firth; Scapa Flow; Hoy and Graemsay; Mainland and South Ronaldsay; Shapinsay; Stronsay; Eday; Sanday; North Ronaldsay; Westray

Column 1: Reference numbers (Michael; Admiralty; NGIA Publication 114)
Column 2: Name of light; Details (character, height above high water, nominal range in nautical miles); Grid Reference
Column 3: Description of structure; Notes; Link to image (for towers this link is in the form of a thumbnail image);
Maps (LR, EX: Ordnance Survey (see Notes in the Introduction); CH: Admiralty Chart at various scales)

Islands in the Pentland Firth:
   Pentland Skerries:
   Tower lights:
MN01
A3562

114-3020
Muckle Skerry No. 1
3/30, 52m, 23 miles
ND465784
Muckle SkyWhite tower 36m
Thomas Smith and Robert Stevenson, 1794; rebuilt 1825. First lights here, FW on each of No 1 (80 feet) and 1a (60 feet), 60 feet apart. No 1a dismantled and rebuilt 100 feet from No 1 as No 1b, 1825.


CH2, 115, 219, 1239, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2581
MN02-D
--
Muckle Skerry No. 1b
was FW
discontinued 1905

ND465784
White tower: notes and images see MN00
   Swona:
   Onastic lights:
MN02-01
A3607·5
114-3076
SW end (The Tarf)
1/8, 17m, 9 miles
ND382838
White concrete column 6m. Not visible over the island
image
Pub. 114 has A3566, which is no longer used
CH1239, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2581
MN02-02
A3607
114-3080
North Head
3/10, 16m, 10 miles
ND383853
White metal post 2m
image
Pub. 114 has A3566.4, which is no longer used
CH1239, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2581

Islands in Scapa Flow:
   Flotta and nearby islets:
   Onastic lights:
MN02-03
A3610·2
114-3104
Stanger Head
R 1/5, 25m, 8 miles
ND377923
White metal post 2m
image
CH35, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2581
MN02-04
A3610·4
114-3108
Roan Head
R 2/6, 12m, 7 miles
ND386958
White metal post 2m
image
CH35, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2249, 2581
MN02-05
A3610·94
114-3128
Oil Terminal:
  Mooring dolphin E
QR, 8m, 3 miles
ND358959
image
CH35, 2162, 2249, 2568B, 2581
MN02-06
A3610·9
114-3120
Oil Terminal:
  NE head of jetty
2FR, 10m, 3 miles
ND357959
no image available
CH35, 2162, 2568B, 2581
MN02-07
A3610·92
114-3124
Oil Terminal:
  NW head of jetty
2 FR, 10m, 3 miles
ND356958
image
CH35, 2162, 2568B, 2581
MN02-08
A3610·96
114-3132
Oil Terminal:
  Mooring dolphin W
QR, 8m, 3 miles
ND355957 5
post
image
CH35, 2162, 2249, 2568B, 2581
MN02-09
A3612
114-3144
Gibraltar Pier
2FG, 7m, 3 miles
ND347950
Metal post
image
CH35, 2162, 2568B, 2581
MN02-10
A3612·5
114-3146
Sutherland Pier
QG, 8m, 3 miles
ND346948
Grey metal post 6m
image
CH35, 2162, 2568B, 2581
MN02-11
A3610·6
114-3112
Nevi Skerry
2/6, 7m, 6 miles
ND397957
metal post on black conical isolated column, red band 9m
On very small rock 0.7 miles off Roan head
images
CH35, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2249, 2581
MN02-12
A3610·8
114-3116
Calf of Flotta
QR, 8m, 4 miles
ND385968
Metal pillar
no image available
CH35, 1954, 2162, 2249, 2581
MN02-13
A3611·2
114-3140
Single-point
  mooring tower No 2
Y 4/15, 12m, 3 miles
ND3797
Metal framework structure and platform standing on sea bed, about 0.8 mile off N coast of Golta peninsula on Flotta
no image available (but see Nevi Skerry images)
CH35, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2249, 2581
MN02-14
A3611
114-3136
Single-point
  mooring tower No 1
Y 1/5, 12m, 3 miles
ND3697
Metal framework structure and platform standing on sea bed, about 1 mile off N coast of Golta peninsula on Flotta
no image available
CH35, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2249, 2581

   Cava:
   Tower light:
MN03
A3636

114-3176
Cava
WR 1/3, 11m,
  10/8 miles
HY322006
CavaWhite
CH35 round tower 8m

On N end of islet, called Calf of Cava
CH2249, 2581

   Isolated shoal:
   Onastic light:
MN03-01
A3635
114-3172
Barrel of Butter
  (Carlin Skerry)
2/10, 6m, 7 miles
HY352009
Grey metal platform on round masonry beacon 5m
On drying shoal about 1.5 miles off E point of Cava
no image available
CH35, 2249, 2581

Hoy and neighbouring islands:
   Hoy:
   Tower light:
MN04
A3600

114-3084
Tor Ness
1/5, 21m, 17 miles
ND251886
Tor NessWhite tower 8m
CH219, 1239, 1954, 2162

   South Walls:
   Tower light:
MN05
A3602

114-3088
Cantick Head
1/20, 35m, 13 miles
ND347893
CantickWhite tower 22m
range reduced from 18 to 13 miles, August 2008
CH2, 219, 1239, 1954, 2162, 2581

   Onastic lights:
MN05-01
A3604
114-3092
Ruff Reef
1/10, 10m, 6 miles
ND348897
Pile structure near low-water mark
image
CH2162, 2581
MN05-02
A3606
114-3096
Longhope pier knuckle
  (South Ness
  pier head)
WRG 1/3, 6m,
  7/5/5 miles
ND304910
Grey metal post on gable end of white building.
Pier rebuilt 2004: light now at knuckle, not head as given by Admy
images
CH35, 2162
MN05-03
A3606·1
114-0
Longhope pier head
2FR, 6m, 2 miles
ND304910 1/2
Grey metal post. Installed when pier extended 2004
image
CH35, 2162

   Hoy:
   Onastic lights:
MN05-04
A3613·2
114-0
Lyness Wharf
2FR, 7m, 3 miles
ND314946
White (rusting) square metal post 5m
Lanterns on flat platforms supported by brackets
image
CH35, 2162, 2568B
MN05-05
A3613
114-0
Golden Wharf
2FR, 7m, 3 miles
ND314947
White (rusting) square metal post 5m
Lanterns on flat platforms supported by brackets
image
CH35, 2162, 2568B
MN05-06
A3613
114-0
Moaness
F and Al GWR/2, 5m, 9 miles
Dir 173°
ND246040
Established 2009
 (presumably after clearance of wrecks in Burra Sound)
Tube-light on metal post 5m
no image available
Sectors 174·75° FR(1°) 173·75° AlRW(0·5°) 173·25° FW (0·5°) 172·75° AlWG(0·5°) 172·25° FG (1°) 171·25°
uncharted

   Graemsay (clockwise):
   Tower lights:
MN06
A3644

114-3196
Hoy Sound Low
  Ldg front
Iso/3, 17m, 15 miles
NY247066
Graemsay LowGrey stone tower with yellow balcony and lantern 12m. Visible to seaward and in Hoy sound only
CH35, 1239, 1954, 2249, 2568A
MN07
A3644·1

114-3200
Hoy Sound High
  Ldg rear
WR Oc/8, 35m,
  20/16 miles
HY267061
Graemsay HighWhite tower 33m.
R on leading line and asymmetrically around it. Obscured 332°-197° and on leading line within 0.5 mile of front light; this is deliberate, to mark the point where vessels should leave the leading line and enter the white sector in Hoy Sound.
Shown at reduced intensity for about an hour at dusk
CH35, 1239, 1954, 2249, 2568A
   Onastic light:
MN07-01
A3665
114-0
Gangsti pier head
2FR, 8m, 5 miles
HY272057
Metal mast 6m
called by Admy Moan pier head, but Moan is on Hoy (see MN05-05)
image
CH35, 2568A

Mainland and islands connected by causeway:
   Tower light:
MN08
A3700
114-3224
Brough of Birsay
3/25, 52m, 18 miles
HY235285
BirsayWhite tower and building 11m. Built 1925 as automatic light (David A Stevenson)
CH2, 219, 1239, 1954, 2249
   Onastic lights:
MN08-01
A3643
114-0
Hoy Mouth
Y 1/5, 12m, 2 miles
HY2209
Established 2008
Marine energy cable marker
Configuration unknown
no image available
MN08-02
A3650
114-3204
Skerry of Ness
WG 1/4, 7m, 7/5 miles
HY255076
White concrete column with platform 10m
image
CH35, 1954, 2249, 2568A
MN08-03
A3654
114-3220
Stromness:
Pole Star Pier
R iso/6, 15m, 5 miles
HY254086
Framework mast 12m
Light almost swamped to seaward by floodlights on same tower image
CH35, 2249, 2568A
MN08-04
A3656
114-3212
Stromness: ldg lts front
FR, 29m, 11 miles
HY252088
White post on white concrete column 6m
At roadside
Shown 24 hours image
CH35, 2249, 2568A
MN08-05
A3656·1
114-3216
Stromness: ldg lts rear
FR, 39m, 11 miles
HY251 1/2 088 1/2
White post on white concrete column 4m
At roadside
Shown 24 hours image
CH35, 2249, 2568A
MN08-06
A3662·5
114-0
Stromness: S pier, head
2FR, 8m, 5 miles
HY255 1/2 090 1/2
Metal post 6m
images
CH35, 2568A
MN08-07
A3662
114-3208
Stromness: N pier, head
R 1/3, 8m, 5 miles
HY256091
Metal post 5m
images
CH35, 2568A
MN08-08
A3663
114-0
Stromness:
  Marina pier, head
R 2/5, 8m, 2 miles
HY257093
Grey metal post
Installed 2004 when pier built image
CH35, 2568A
MN08-09
A3640
114-3180
Houton: ldg lts, front
G 1/3, 8m, ? miles
HY315038
White pole, black bands 6m
image
CH35, 2249, 2568C
MN08-10
A3640·1
114-3184
Houton: ldg lts, rear
FG, 16m, ? miles
HY313039
White pole, black bands 5m
image
CH35, 2249, 2568C
MN08-11
A3641
114-3188
Houton: pier head
2FR, 5m, 4 miles
HY318 1/2 039 1/2
Metal post 4m
image
CH35, 2568C
MN08-12
A3642
114-3192
Houton: roro pier, head
R Iso/4, 7m, 5 miles
HY319039
Metal post 5m
no image available
CH35, 2568C
MN08-13
A3632
114-3168
Scapa Pier, head
G 1/3, 6m, 8 miles
HY441081
Metal post 5m
image
CH35, 2249

  South Ronaldsay
  Onastic lights:
MN08-14
A3616
114-3152
St Margaret's Hope:
  Ldg lts, front
FR, 7m, small
ND446936
Bracket on wooden post, 8m
image
CH35, 2162, 2581
MN08-15
A3616·1
114-3156
St Margaret's Hope:
  Ldg lts, rear
FR, 11m, small
ND445934
Bracket on wooden post, 8m
Hidden from front light (in 2006) by encroaching woodland image
CH35, 2162, 2581
MN08-16
A3615
114-3148
St Margaret's Hope:
  pier, head
2FG, 6m, 2 miles
ND446942
Black metal post 5m
images
CH35, 2162, 2581
MN08-17
A3614
114-3160
St Margaret's Hope:
  Needle Point reef
G 1/3, 6m, 3 miles
ND448945
Metal post 6m
On end of reef image
CH35, 2162, 2581
   Tower light:
MN09
A3610

114-3100
Hoxa Head
WR 1/3, 15m, 9/6 miles
ND403932
hoxa Established 1901 (David A. Stevenson), built as automatic light in small tower. Present structure (1934):square tower with white GRP cladding 7m
CH35, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2581
   Onastic lights:
MN09-01
A3608·5
114-3028
Burwick pier head
2FR, 8m, 5 miles
ND438839
Metal post 6m
image
CH2162, 2581
MN09-02
A3608
114-3024
Lother rock
1/2, 13m, 6 miles
ND434829
Framework pile structure 12m
On tidal skerry about 0.5 mile off Brough Ness image
CH1239, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2581

   Mainland
   Tower lights:
--
-
-
Clett Tower
(in 1921)
  WRG, 9m, 10 miles

discontinued
HY495015
Erected 1901 to mark passage through Holm Sound, discontinued when blockship sunk 1921. Was about 6m high. Only the octagonal masonry base remains
image
MN10
A3626

114-3164
Rose Ness
1/6, 24m, 8 miles
ND521986
Established 1905. Current GRP tower commissioned 1983.
White tower 7m. Very large stone beacon close by
Access from car park at end of road, and half a mile over rough ground
no image available
CH1239, 1942, 1954, 2162, 2250

   Copinsay
   Tower light:
MN11
A3676

114-3228
Copinsay
5/30, 79m, 21 miles
HY613013
CopinsayWhite tower 16m. On small island just over 2 miles from Point of Ayre. Accessible by boat only
Just over a mile to the NE lies the Horse of Copinsay, the only piece of land around the British coast not to be shown on the Landranger map (though the name is printed!)
CH2, 219, 1239, 1942, 1954, 2250

  Mainland:  Kirkwall plan
  Onastic lights:
MN11-01
A3686
114-0
Thieves' Holm
QR, 5m, 8 miles
HY462149
Grey metal framework tower 3m
Near N end of islet 0.4 mile from Car Ness. Accessible only by boat
image
CH1553, 2249, 2250, 2584
MN11-02
A3695
114-0
Kirkwall Harbour:
  Marina pier
2FR
HY450 1/2 116
Metal post
Pier built 2003 image
CH1553
MN11-03
A3688·5
114-3246
Kirkwall:
  main pier, E end
2FG, 6m, 3 miles
HY449 1/2 116
Metal post image
CH1553
MN11-04
A3688
114-3244
Kirkwall:
  main pier, knuckle
WRG Iso/5, 13m,
  15/13/13 miles
HY448116
Concrete column 12m
Built about 1994. Light visible to seaward only image
alternative image
CH1553, 2249, 2250, 2584
MN11-05
A3693
114-3248
Kirkwall:
  inner harbour, E pier
2FR, 6m, 1 mile
HY449114
Metal post
At root of main pier, N side of entrance to inner harbour image
CH1553
   Tower light:
MN12
--
Kirkwall, inner harbour:
  W pier head
(in 1925)
  FW, 8m, 10 miles

discontinued
HY49113 1/2
Circular white cast-iron tower on concrete base, about 6m. Built around 1880, originally at N end of main pier: discontinued and moved to present site when pier extended in 1994
no image available (but see MN12-01)
   Onastic lights:
MN12-01
A3694
114-3252
Kirkwall, inner harbour:
  W pier
2FG, 6m, 1 mile
HY449113 1/2
Metal post. At S side of entrance to inner basin image
CH1553
MN12-02
A3687·7
114-0
Hatston pier
2FR, 7m, 3 miles
HY442129
Metal post image
CH1553, 2584
MN12-03
A3696
114-0
Tingwall pier, NE
2FR, 5m, 3 miles
HY403230
Metal post 5m image
CH2584
MN12-04
A3696·1
114-0
Tingwall pier, SE
2FG, 5m, 3m miles
HY448116
Metal post 5m image
CH2584

Eastern isles:
   Shapinsay:
   Onastic light:
MN12-05
A3685
114-3240
Balfour pier
WRG 2/5, 5m,
  3/2/2 miles
HY480164
short metal post on stone building 5m
image
CH1553, 2249, 2250, 2584

  Helliar Holm
  Tower light:
MN13
A3684

114-3236
Helliar Holm
WRG 1/10, 18m,
  14/11/11 miles
HY484150
helliarWhite tower 13m
Two lanterns one above the other in the lanternhouse
CH1553, 1942, 1954, 2249, 2250, 2584

  Auskerry
  Tower light:
MN14
A3680

114-3232
Auskerry
1/20, 34m, 20 miles
HY672155
AuskerryWhite tower 34m

CH2, 219, 1239, 1942, 1954, 2250

  Onastic lights:
  Stronsay
MN14-01
A3708
114-3264
Whitehall Pier
2FG, 8m, 4 miles
HY6528
Metal post 5m

no image available
CH2250, 2562B

   Papa Stronsay
MN14-02
A3706
114-3268
The Ness
4/20, 8, 9 miles
HY668302
White metal framework tower 5m

no image available
CH1239, 1942, 1954, 2250, 2562B

   Eday (clockwise)
   Tower light:
MN15
A3728

114-3288
Calf Sound
WRG 3/10, 6m,
  8/6/6 miles
HY565391
CalfWhite octagonal cast-iron tower on concrete base 9m
Stevenson, 1909
Originally FW, paraffin
Called by Admy "Calf of Eday" but in fact not on that island but on Eday

CH1942, 1954, 2250, 2562B

   Onastic lights:
MN15-01
A3729
114-3254
Backaland Pier
R 1/3, 5m, 4 miles
HY572302
Metal post 3m
images
CH1942, 1954, 2250, 2562B
MN15-02
A3732
114-0
Falls of Warness
Y 1/5, 12m, 5 miles
HY529301
Yellow platform on pile structure
no image available
CH1942, 1954, 2249, 2250, 2562B

  Sanday (clockwise)
  Tower light:
MN16
A3718

114-3276
Start Point
2/20, 24m, 18 miles
HY787435
start First tower here built 1802 as unlit seamark. Converted by Robert Stevenson, 1806.
 Present tower built 1870 (presumably by Thomas Stevenson): White tower, black stripes 23m
 The vertical black stripes were added in
1919 and are unique in Scotland

CH2, 219, 245, 1239, 1942, 1954, 2250
   Hybrid light:
MN17
A3716

114-3272
Kettletoft
WRG 1/3, 7m,
  7/5/5 miles
HY660384
kettGrey masonry tower 7m, lantern on short post fixed to front of tower
Light originally shown from curved window in upper part of tower

CH1942, 1954, 2250, 2562B
   Onastic light:
MN17-01
A3715
114-3270
Loth pier
2FG, 8m, 4 miles
HY602341
White post 6m
image
CH2250, 2562B

   North Ronaldsay (clockwise)
   Tower light:
MN18
A3722

114-3280
North Ronaldsay
1/10, 43m, 24 miles
HY784559
nronRed-brown brick tower, 2 white bands, 42m
Alan and David Stevenson, 1851-54
Built on a different site from MN19 to provide improved marking of off-shore reefs; built in brick because of the perceived dangers of landing large stones
Often said to be the tallest land-based tower in Britain, but in fact both Beachy Head (on the foreshore) and the old Dungeness tower are taller (there are also five taller rock towers)
LR5; CH2, 219, 245, 1119, 1234, 1239, 1942, 1954, 2250
   Disused tower:
MN19-D
Dennis Head Old Beacon
discontinued 1809
HY79015539
start Thomas Smith, 1789: the third lighthouse authorised by and constructed for the Northern Lighthouse Board. Masonry tower 18m
  Discontinued 1809 following construction of MN16 Start Point. Lantern replaced by masonry cap and ball finial transferred from unlit beacon at Start Point.
  Being rebuilt 2010
 
   Onastic light:
MN19-01
A3724
114-3284
Nouster Pier
QR, 5m, ? miles
HY75025219
Grey metal post 1m on roof of concrete shed 3.5m
image
CH2250

Western Isles:
   Westray (clockwise):
   Tower light:
MN20
A3736

114-3292
Noup Head
1/30, 79m, 20 miles
HY392498
NoupWhite tower 24m
CH2, 219, 245, 1119, 1234, 1239, 1942, 1954, 2249
   Onastic lights:
MN20-01
A3737·2
114-3296
Pierowall, E pier head
WRG 1/3, 7m,
  11/7/7 miles
HY446 1/2 489
Metal post 6m image
CH1119, 1234, 1942, 1954, 2249, 2250, 2562A
MN20-02
A3737·4
114-3300
Pierowall W pier head
2FR, 6m, 3 miles
HY446489
Metal post 5m
image
CH2562A
MN20-03
A3734
114-3290
Rapness, pier head
2FR, 8m, 4 miles
HY512405
Metal post 6m image
CH2249, 2250, 2562B

   Papa Westray:
   Onastic light:
MN20-04
A3738
114-3304
Moclett Bay pier head
WRG 1/5, 7m,
  5/3/3 miles
HY493493
Metal post on grey building 5m
image
CH1119, 1234, 1942, 1954, 2249, 2250, 2562A

   Egilsay:
   Onastic light:
MN20-05
A3740
114-3308
Pier head
G 1/3, 4m, 4 miles
HY4630
White structure on concrete base 3m
no image available
CH2249, 2250

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