Building record MAB41778 - TOD HEAD LIGHTHOUSE

Lighthouse, no longer in use as such.

Lighthouse, no longer in use as such. The lighthouse was designed and built by engineer David A. Stevenson, and was first lit in 1897. A fog signal was added in 1898. It is a short circular-section tapering tower, harled with exposed dressings, with a triangular paned, domed-top lantern of standard type. A wrought iron walkway is corbelled out below the lantern. The flat roofed keepers cottages are positioned to the NW of the lighthouse. The lighthouse and cottages sit within a walled compound on the headland. The lighthouse had a nominal range of 18 nautical miles, with the light producing 3 million candle power. In 1973, the light was changed from a paraffin vapour burner to a large wattage electric lamp, with the lens driven by electric motors. An electric foghorn was also added at this time, but was discontinued in 1987. The lighthouse was automated in 1988, and following a review of Aids to Navigation in 2005, it was agreed that Tod Head lighthouse served only as a 'waypoint' and as such was no longer required for general navigation. The lighthouse was discontinued on the 11th July 2007 and sold. At this time the Fresnel Lens, manufactured by M. Henry Lepaute, Paris, and Messrs. Milne and Son Ltd, Edinburgh, was removed to the National Museum of Scotland (Edinburgh). A photographic survey of the light and associated machinery was carried out in 2011 prior to proposed alterations. A photographic survey was carried out in 2014 prior to proposed conversion. A photographic survey was carried out in 2018 prior to a proposed alteration.

Period Notes
Built 1897; foghorn added 1898; electrified in 1973; automated in 1988; switched off in 2007. Listed 18/08/1972.

Author unknown, , KNOCK NEWS, No 108, pp28-33 (Bibliographic reference). SAB1032.

Hume, JR, 1977, Industrial Archaeology of Scotland, 225 (Bibliographic reference). SAB730.

Aug 17 2011 , APP/2007/1437, APP/2007/1437 (Ground Photograph). SAB20639.

Feb 26 2018 , APP/2017/3058, APP/2017/3058 (Ground Photograph). SAB34264.

Jul 2 2009 , AAS/09/1/DG0672, AAS/09/1/DG0672 (Air-oblique Photograph). SAB19986.

Jun 9 2014 , APP/2013/1437, APP/2013/1437 (Ground Photograph). SAB20789.

Sep 12 1984 , DA 20-28, DA 20-28 (Ground Photograph). SAB12419.

Sep 12 1984 , DB 16-17, DB 16-17 (Ground Photograph). SAB12418.

Sep 17 2011 , GR IMG_0903-5, GR IMG_0903-5 (Ground Photograph). SAB13365.

Record last edited

Mar 11 2020 12:53PM