Isle Head Lighthouse

Lighthouse In Newton Stewart, Scotland

Square lighthouse overlooking the Solway Firth.

Isle Head Lighthouse, or The Cairn as it is known locally, has stood on the tip of the Isle of Whithorn acting as a navigational aid for many years, although it's exact date of construction is unknown.

Historians believe it was built sometime before the 18th century, with some estimates placing its construction as early as the medieval period. The lack of definitive records adds to the mystery surrounding the lighthouse which sits watch over the treacherous waters of the Solway Firth.

The square lighthouse is around 4m in height and is painted a bright white colour. A fire could have been lit on the roof to provide light during the night and its white colour would allow it to be used as a daymark during daylight hours.

During the second world war, it was the sight of an anti-aircraft tracking station for gunnery practice. A remote controlled Queen Bee aircraft would be flown up and down the coast in front of the lighthouse and the anti-aircraft guns would try and bring it down. There is a flat, concrete base adjacent to the lighthouse that was once one of the control buildings.

That concrete base is now the location of the memorial to the Solway Harvester, a scallop dredger based in Kirkcudbright that sank on the 11th January 2000 with the loss of all seven crew. The memorial consists of a granite boulder, with an anchor set in the top.

You may also notice as you walk up to the Isle Head Lighthouse that the ground is quite undulating. What you are walking through is the rig and furrow of ancient ploughing of the land, and the ramparts to an Iron Age fort. The lighthouse now sits in the centre of this fort.

As you can see from the final photo, the weather was wild when we visited. The Isle of Whithorn is the most southerly village in Scotland and is very much exposed to the wildness of the Irish Sea. So wrap up warm if you're visiting, and cross your fingers for better weather than we had!

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How To Find Isle Head Lighthouse

Where Is Isle Head Lighthouse?

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Lat / Long

54.696504, -4.3592682

What three words

radically.mock.boardroom

Where To Park For Isle Head Lighthouse?

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Lat / Long

54.697742, 54.697742

What three words

shepherdess.spilling.earth

There is parking in the harbour or in the village close to the cafe.

Contributed by Sandra Clemens

I love the great outdoors and have been a National Trust & English Heritage member for years. I also love going off the beaten track and finding places like Sharp's Folly or Rothley Castle which are hidden gems in Northumberland. My favourite recent hike was climbing Red Screes in the Lake District on a whim, not fully grasping how high 776m was. It was still an achievement to conquer a Wainwright walk and I hope to do more one day.

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