Hoxa Head

United Kingdom

The light was built in 1901 to guide ships into Scapa Flow.
It was built under supervision of Charles Stevenson and David Stevenson and topped with an automatic gas powered light. The lens was supplied by Chance Brothers of Smethwick near Birmingham and this lens remained in situ in the tower until it was decommissioned and replaced in 1996.
Originally it was a fixed white light however this was changed to flash by the use of an AGA flasher unit. The flasher separated the acetylene gas and burned it in bursts causing the flash. The gas to the light would be topped up on a regular basis basis every 3-6 months and the lights operation regularly checked by local attendants.
The colour of the light visible depended on your bearing to the light with red and green screens of perspex erected around the lantern.
The initial lighthouse from 1901 had two WWII searchlight emplacements built either side of it. All that remains of the lighthouse is the plinth base as the whole iron structure above this was moved to the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh.

Manufacture Date 1900
Lighthouse Construction 1901
Country United Kingdom
Commissioning Body Northern Lighthouse Board
Lens Order 4th order
Lens Type Fixed
Status publish
Light Character Fixed White Light.
Lighthouse Markings This lighthouse has been removed from site and replaced by a modern utilitarian frame lighthouse with solar panels. The original lighthouse was a modest white cast iron tower topped with an automatic gas powered light.
Lighthouse Parts None.
Management Body Ports Authority Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
Preserver Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
Coastal Erosion Vulnerability
Condition Observations Kept in good condition and on display at the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.
Open Status (Site) Open
Open Status (Tower) Closed
Coordinates 58.8218158538,-3.0347513963
Other Though the light is kept in the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses this museum is at present closed. Please check on the museum website to see when it reopens at www.lighthousemuseum.org.uk ARLHS SCO-103; Admiralty A3610; NGA 3100.

Lighthouse Location

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