Rua Reidh Lighthouse
 Rua Reidh Lighthouse | |
  Scotland | |
| Location |
Melvaig Gairloch Wester Ross Scotland |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 57°51′31.8″N 05°48′42.3″W / 57.858833°N 5.811750°WCoordinates: 57°51′31.8″N 05°48′42.3″W / 57.858833°N 5.811750°W |
| Year first constructed | 1912 |
| Automated | 1986 |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern attached to a 2-storey keeper's house |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, black lantern, ochre trim |
| Height | 25 metres (82 ft) |
| Focal height | 37 metres (121 ft) |
| Light source | mains power |
| Intensity | 520,000 candela |
| Range | 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (4) W 15s. |
| Fog signal | deactivated in 1980 |
| Admiralty number | A3900 |
| NGA number | 3640 |
| ARLHS number | SCO-191 |
| Managing agent |
Rua Reidh Lighthouse[1] [2] |
| Heritage |
category B listed building  |
Rua Reidh Lighthouse stands close to the entrance to Loch Ewe in Wester Ross, Scotland.
History
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.
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[4] and can still be seen. This new road was first satisfyingly driven on by Iain Bain (1922 - 2011). Paraffin was pumped from the quay and other goods were transported on a small trolley on rails.
The Lighthouse buildings
Since automation of the light in 1986, the adjacent accommodation is no longer required for keepers and was sold into private ownership. It is now a private home and is not open to the public. Since 2004 the lighthouse has been protected as a category B listed building.[5]
Wildlife
The sea around the point contains basking sharks and Atlantic seals. fulmars, European shags and kittiwakes nest on the steep cliffs.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ Rubha Reidh (Rua Reidh, Rubh' Re) The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 12 May 2016
- ↑ Rubh Re Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 12 May 2016
- ↑ "Rubh Re". Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
- ↑ "Rubha Reidh and Camas Mor, Melvaig". Walk Highlands. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
- ↑ "Rubha Reidh Lighthouse". Historic Scotland.
- ↑ "Rua Reidh Lighthouse" (pdf). Scottish Natural Heritage. Retrieved 15 January 2011.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rubha Reidh Lighthouse. |