Rua Reidh Lighthouse

Rua Reidh Lighthouse

Rua Reidh Lighthouse
Location	Melvaig 12 miles north of Gairloch, Wester Ross, Scotland
Coordinates	57°51′31″N 05°48′41″W / 57.85861°N 5.81139°W / 57.85861; -5.81139Coordinates: 57°51′31″N 05°48′41″W / 57.85861°N 5.81139°W / 57.85861; -5.81139
Year first constructed	1910
Year first lit	1912
Automated	1986
Construction	White, circular tower
Height	25 metres (82 ft)
Focal height	37 metres (121 ft)
Intensity	520,000 candlepower
Range	14 nautical miles
Characteristic	Gr Fl.(4) W 15 secs
Fog signal	Siren originally:none now

Rua Reidh Lighthouse stands close to the entrance to Loch Ewe in Wester Ross, Scotland.

Lighthouse

A lighthouse on Rubh'Re Point was first proposed by David Stevenson in 1853. Building was started by his son, David Alan Stevenson in 1908 and the light was first lit on 15 January 1912.^[1] The light came from a paraffin lamp, subsequently converted to electricity. The original Fresnel lens is now in the nearby Gairloch Heritage Museum. The fog siren gave 4 blasts every 90 seconds. The fog siren was discontinued in 1980 as well as all the fog sirens in Scotland. The red fog siren trumpet,along with its clockwork timing mechanism were removed and were donated to the Gairloch heritage center and put on display. The siren's tower and engine room were partially demolished. All that is left is the first floor of the siren's tower and the front facade of the engine room. The fog signal equipment was auctioned off and the pressurised air tanks were removed and sold for scrap.

To the north, a quay and ramp provided access from the sea at high tide. This was the only access for supplies until the road from Gairloch was built in 1962^[2] and can still be seen. Paraffin was pumped from the quay and other goods were transported on a small trolley on rails.

A lighthouse on Rubh'Re Point was first proposed by David Stevenson in 1853. Building was started by his son, David Alan Stevenson in 1908 and the light was first lit on 15 January 1912.^[3] The light came from a paraffin lamp, subsequently converted to electricity. The original Fresnel lens is now in the nearby Gairloch Heritage Museum. The fog siren gave 4 blasts every 90 seconds. The fog siren was discontinued in 1980 as well as all the fog sirens in Scotland. The red fog siren trumpet,along with its clockwork timing mechanism were removed and were donated to the Gairloch heritage center and put on display. The siren's tower and engine room were partially demolished. All that is left is the first floor of the siren's tower and the front facade of the engine room. The fog signal equipment was auctioned off and the pressurised air tanks were removed and sold for scrap.

Guest Accommodation

Since automation of the light in 1986, the adjacent accommodation is no longer required for keepers. It is run as a guesthouse and self-catering apartment. Since 2004 the lighthouse has been protected as a category B listed building.^[4]

Wildlife

The sea around the point contains Basking sharks and Atlantic Seals. Fulmars, European Shags and Kittiwakes nest on the steep cliffs.^[5]

Footnotes