Tarbat Ness Lighthouse
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tarbat Ness Lighthouse
| Location | Tarbat Ness Nr Portmahomack , Highland, Scotland |
|---|---|
| Tower height | 41m |
| Height of focal plane | 53m |
| Characteristics | Flashing (4) White every 30 secs |
| Range | 24 naut. miles (44 km) |
| Description | White, conical tower with two red horizontal bands |
| Date established | 1830 |
| Date of present tower | 1830 |
| Date automated | 1985 |
| Current use | Active aid to navigation |
| Engineer | Robert Stevenson |
| Open to the public | Grounds only |
The Tarbat Ness Lighthouse is located near the fishing village of Portmahomack built in 1830 by Robert Stevenson. It has an elevation of 53 metres and has 37 steps to the top of the tower.
[edit] History
A storm in the Moray Firth in November 1826 saw the loss of 16 vessels and brought many applications for lighthouses to be constructed at Tarbat Ness and at Covesea Skerries.
Tarbat Ness Lighthouse was engineered by Robert Stevenson for the Northern Lighthouse Board and the light was first exhibited on 26 January 1830. James Smith of Inverness was the contractor responsible for the building of the lighthouse which cost £9,361. The lighthouse tower is the third tallest in Scotland behind North Ronaldsay and Skerryvore and and is notable for having two distinguishing broad red bands.
Earthquake shocks were sometimes reported and Tarbat Ness once shook so that the shades and lamp glasses rattled.
