Elie Ness Lighthouse

Elie Ness Lighthouse is not only a beautiful structure, but it has probably saved the lives of many mariners who it helped navigate through the treacherous waters of the Firth of Forth.

In the early 1900's, the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses came under increased pressure to build a lighthouse on a northern promontory of the Firth of Forth. Master Mariners from all over the world were in favour of this, as in bad weather they were unable to see the lights on the Isle of May or Inchkeith.

Firstly, let's look at who was responsible for building of the lighthouse.

David Alan Stevenson who was the grandson of Robert Stevenson (who built Bell Rock Lighthouse in Angus), made a case for the lighthouse being built at Elie Ness. Lloyd George who was President of the Board of Trade at the time, later to become Prime Minister, approved the lighthouse in 1907.

During September to November of 1907, the financial terms were agreed, the attendants for the lighthouse were organised and Mr Baird (the landowner) consulted, allowing the erection of the lighthouse to proceed on what is locally known as Fish Rock.

James Lawrie Builders of Anstruther were chosen by tender to erect Elie Ness Tower and the Gas Room. Work commenced in December 1907 and the buildings were completed by June 1908.

Then came the installation of the lighting equipment. The lantern and machinery were supplied by Messrs Dove and Co of Edinburgh, acetylene plant by Messrs Moyes and Co of Glasgow and the light apparatus by Chance Brothers of Smethwick near Birmingham.

The light which ran on calcium carbide and water generated acetylene gas, was officially lit on 1st October 1908. The optical apparatus revolved around the 20000 candle power allowing a flash every 6 seconds and remained this way until conversion to mains electricity in 1959.

Someone needed to run the lighthouse. This fell to the HM Coast Guard when the lighthouse was first built, however in 1969 the full time Coast Guard ceased and a local man was appointed as attendant by the Lighthouse Board. By 2004, changes meant that the attendant needed to cover other lighthouses such as Tod Head, Scurdie Ness, Fife Ness and Isle of May.

In 2010, the lighthouse undertook modernisation, upgrade to increase the light range to 17 miles and full repainting.

By 2013, the running and upkeep of Elie Ness Lighthouse was taken over by Forth Ports Authority.

Elie Ness Lighthouse is 11m high with a castellated gallery at the top. This is where the lantern would have stood until 1959 when it was converted to electricity. The square equipment store, which was originally the gas room is also castellated and this no doubt contributes to the beauty of the buildings.

You can see the lighthouse from the Ruby Bay car park. Follow the paths through the dunes to reach the buildings. From the lighthouse you can see Lady's Tower in the distance. I can strongly recommend making the short walk over the dunes to pay it a visit.

Elie Ness Lighthouse is a Category C listed building Historic Environment Scotland.