Last year, we celebrated 250 years since the birth of Robert Stevenson, the civil engineer from Glasgow credited for building most Scottish lighthouses and the grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson; the novelist behind Treasure Island.
These majestic monuments have served as the lifeline of Seafarers at the mercy of Scottish weather while navigating treacherous waters. They have literally and symbolically upheld the title “beacon of hope” for generations of Scots in need of their illumination.
To the wave-battered coastline of Shetland to Scotland’s southernmost point at the Mull of Galloway, here are 19 Scottish lighthouses designed by Robert Stevenson.
5. Point of Ayre (1818)
The Point of Ayre lighthouse can be found at the Point of Ayre which is on the north-eastern end of the Isle of Man. Photo: via WikiCommons
6. Calf of Man (1818)
Also known as the Calf of Mann, this is a 618-acre island located off the southwest coast of the Isle of Man. Photo: YouTube Screenshot via IOM Drones and Photography
7. Sumburgh Head (1821)
The Sumburgh Head Lighthouse was the first Stevenson type to be constructed in Shetland, it was first lit on January 15, 1821. Photo: via WikiCommons
8. Kinnaird Head (Rebuilt 1823)
The original lighthouse at Kinnaird Head was a simple lantern, thus the design was later enhanced by Robert Stevenson during 1822 and 1823. Photo: YouTube Screenshot via African Scot