Esha Ness Lighthouse

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Esha Ness Lighthouse
Esha Ness Lighthouse 2017 01.jpg
Esha Ness Lighthouse
Location Mainland, Shetland, Northmaven, United Kingdom OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
OS grid HU2058078451
Coordinates 60°29′21″N1°37′38″W / 60.4892°N 1.62733°W / 60.4892; -1.62733
Tower
Constructed1925  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Designed by David Alan Stevenson   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Constructionmasonry tower
Automated1974  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Height12 m (39 ft)  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Shapesquare tower with balcony and lantern
Markingswhite tower, black lantern, ochre trim
Operator Northern Lighthouse Board   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Heritagecategory B listed building  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Light
First lit1929  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Focal height61 m (200 ft)  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Intensity46,500 candela  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Range25 nmi (46 km; 29 mi)  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Characteristic Fl W 12s  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Esha Ness Lighthouse is situated at Esha Ness, on the Northmavine peninsula in the north-west mainland of the Shetland Islands, Scotland. It sometimes rendered as Eshaness Lighthouse. The lighthouse is at the westernmost extremity of the peninsula near the location of Calder's Geo, and exposed to the Atlantic Ocean. [1]

Contents

The lighthouse has a tapering square tower 12 metres (39 ft) high and was built between 1925 and 1929 by David Alan Stevenson and Charles Alexander Stevenson, two of the famous 'lighthouse' Stevensons, [2] grandsons of Robert Stevenson. [3] It was built from concrete because of the unsuitability of the local stone.

It flashes white every 12 seconds and has a nominal range of 25 nautical miles (46 km). The light is housed in an octagonal lantern atop the square tower, which was built at the top of a 200 ft (60 m) high cliff. [2] [1]

The lighthouse replaced a temporary structure constructed in 1915 on the Eshaness peninsula to warn of the Ve Skerries some 8.5 miles (13.7 km; 7.4 nmi) offshore to the south-west. This temporary structure was removed after World War I. [2]

The light was automated in 1974 and the former lighthouse keepers' accommodation is now holiday accommodation. It is owned by the Shetland Amenity Trust. [4] Unusually, the accommodation was built for only one keeper, whereas most facilities housed three. [2]

The lighthouse was listed in 1997, as although it is part of a relatively common type, it has some unusual features, including the use of concrete as a building material. The remote setting of the lighthouse is largely unchanged since it was built, and the structure itself is relatively unmodified and contains much of the original character. It was also the last lighthouse to be built by the Stevenson family of lighthouse engineers, who had designed most of the lighthouses around Scotland over a period of 150 years. [1] [5] [3]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Esha Ness, Eshaness Lighthouse | Canmore". canmore.org.uk. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Esha Ness". Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Stevenson Engineers". Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
  4. "Eshaness Lighthouse – open for bookings soon". shetlandlighthouse.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2021. Retrieved 1 August 2021.
  5. "Esha Ness Lighthouse, including former keeper's cottage, outbuildings (former generator house, water tank), walling, sundial and gateposts and excluding entrance porch and garage, Northmavine". Historic Environment Scotland Listed Building Portal. Retrieved 19 April 2025.
Eshaness lighthouse and information.jpg
Information about Esha Ness
Eshaness and surrounding landscape.jpg
Esha Ness from across Calder's Geo