Cape Wrath Lighthouse is located at the most north-westerly tip of mainland Britain, in the Durness parish of Sutherland. The name of the headland derives not from the stormy waters of the area but from the Norse word for ‘turning point’, as it was here that Norsemen turned their ships to head home.
The Cape is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and a Special Protection Area for birds.
History
1828: The lighthouse was built by Robert Stevenson at a cost of £14,000. The tower was constructed using hand-dressed stone, though the remainder of the building comprises large blocks of granite quarried from nearby Clash Carnoch.
1977: On 17 January, a helicopter carried out the Cape Wrath Relief (keepers’ changeover). This was a history-making moment as it was the first helicopter relief to be carried out at a shore-based Scottish lighthouse.
1978: The paraffin vapour burner was replaced by mercury vapour lamps.
1980: An electrically operated temporary power beam was installed in January and in December of the same year, a completely new gearless pedestal and lamp array system was installed.
1998: Cape Wrath Lighthouse was converted to automatic status on 31 March.
Cape Wrath Lighthouse was converted to automatic status on 31 March 1998 and is remotely monitored from the Northern Lighthouse Board’s offices in Edinburgh.