Kinnaird Head

United Kingdom

Inactive since 1991. Approx. 22 m (72 ft) structure, including a round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery built atop a 16th century stone castle. The hyperradiant Fresnel lens (1902), larger than first order, is one of the largest lenses ever built. The keeper's houses and other light station buldings have been converted into a lighthouse museum.

This was the first light station established by the Northern Lighthouse Board. The original tower was built in 1787 by Thomas Smith and then rebuilt in 1824 by his son-and-law Robert Stevenson, the founder of the Stevenson lighthouse dynasty. The museum has one of the world's largest collections of Fresnel lenses and lighthouse equipment. Located on a headland just northwest of Fraserburgh. Site open, museum and tower open daily except December 25-26 and January 1-2; also closed Mondays during the winter months.

About Chance's lens: "Still in situ in the original tower which is now part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, which has been superseded by a modern lighthouse."

Manufacture Date 1902
Lighthouse Construction 1824 (station established 1787)
Country United Kingdom
Lens Order Hyper-radial
Status publish
Lighthouse Markings Tower painted white with buff trim; lantern painted black.
Management Body Ports Authority Owner: Kinnaird Head Trust.
Preserver Site manager: Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
Coastal Erosion Vulnerability
Open Status (Site) Open
Open Status (Tower) Open
Coordinates 57.6975871521,-2.0039047082
Other ARLHS SCO-113.

Lighthouse Location

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