Rona

Rona Lighthouse was established by David & Thomas Stevenson  in 1857.

History

In 1853 the Commissioners’ Engineer, David Stevenson, who had succeeded his brother Alan in February, prepared a list of 45 possible sites thought desirable to complete a system of lights for the coasts of Scotland. The board named eight which ought to be given priority – Sound of Islay (at or near Port Askaig), Sound of Mull (at or near Tobermory), the north and south entrances to the sounds between Skye and the mainland (Rona and Ornsay), the coast of Sutherland (at or near Stoer Head or Rubh’ Re), Holburn Head near Thurso, Cantick Head or Switha in Orkney, and Bressay at the south entrance to Lerwick harbour.

Rubha na Gall (Sound of Mull), Ornsay, Kyleakin, Rona and Ushenish were all lit on 10 November 1857.

On Rona, north of Raasay, a widow named Janet Mackenzie had for many years shown a light in one of her windows to help the fishing boats  clear the rocks at the harbour entrance. She was given a grant of £20 by the Commissioners for doing this. (Source “Scottish Lighthouses”)

Rona lighthouse was automated in 1975.

Details

Year Established

1857

Engineer

David & Thomas Stevenson

Position

Latitude   57° 34.684'N
Longitude 005° 57.547'W

Character

Flashing White every 12 seconds

Elevation

69 metres

Range

12 nautical miles

Structure

White tower 13 metres high

Public Access

No

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