Tarbat Ness Lighthouse

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Tarbat Ness Lighthouse

Location: Tarbat Ness
Nr Portmahomack , Highland,
Scotland
Coordinates
WGS-84 (GPS)
57°51.8’N 03°46.6’W
Construction: Brick
Year first lit: 1830
Automated: 1985
Tower shape: Conical tower
Markings/Pattern: White with 2 red bands
Height: 41 m
Elevation: 53 m
Range: 44 Km (white),
37 Km (red)
Characteristic: Fl. (4) white every 30 secs
Close up view of the Lighthouse
Close up view of the Lighthouse

The Tarbat Ness Lighthouse is located at the North West tip of the Tarbat Ness peninsula near the fishing village of Portmahomack on the east coast of Scotland. It was built in 1830 by Robert Stevenson and has an elevation of 53 metres and 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 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.

[edit] External links