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.
17. Girdle Ness (1833)
The Girdle Ness Lighthouse was first lit on October 15, 1833, and continued to operate until 1847 when the original lantern became ‘too small’ to keep being used. Photo: YouTube Screenshot via Scottish Drone
18. Barra Head (1833)
The lighthouse was first lit on October 15, 1833. Since then, the lantern was converted to an incandescent type in 1906 and a Wireless Beacon was set up thirty years later. Photo: Bob Jones on Geograph
19. Lismore (1833)
The Lismore Lighthouse exhibited its first light in October, 1833. The 26-metre tall structure took three years to build and cost £4,250. Photo: afagen on Flickr