Name and Location

The Sklinna Lighthouse, also known as Sklinna fyr in Norwegian, is located in Leka Municipality, Trøndelag county, Norway. Its official name is Sklinna fyr, with a Kystverket reference number of 560000. The lighthouse can be found at the address Sklinna 2, 7994 Leka, Norway.

2. Construction and History

The Sklinna Lighthouse was first established in 1915. It was automated in 1974 and is currently managed by the Norwegian Coastal Administration (Kystverket). The lighthouse has been listed and protected under the Norwegian Cultural Heritage Act (Riksantikvaren).

3. Architecture and Materials

The tower of the Sklinna Lighthouse is cylindrical, made of cast-iron plates painted white. It stands 14.3 meters tall and has a concrete foundation. The focal height of the light above mean sea level is 45 meters.

4. Light and Navigation

The Sklinna Lighthouse guides vessels through a complex archipelago of skerries, reefs, and channels off Leka Municipality. Its light pattern consists of an occulting group of six in a 6-second period, sequenced as (5) + 1. The colors and ranges by sector are: white up to 18.6 nautical miles, red up to 12.0 nautical miles, and green up to 12.8 nautical miles.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The island is privately owned, and no regular ferry service calls at Sklinna. Visitors can only access the lighthouse by private boat or charter. Landing on the island can be difficult in poor weather. There are no facilities on site, and guided tours are not available.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

The surrounding landscape consists of low, rocky islets with sparse heath and grass. The area is known for strong sea winds and important bird nesting areas, featuring typical North Atlantic seabird colonies (guillemots, kittiwakes) as well as occasional seals. On clear days, the Trøndelag mainland silhouette is visible to the east.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

Local legend has it that the light was once "blown out by a sea troll," a tale sailors told to explain sudden fog and outages. Former keepers also spoke of eerie lights dancing on the water, likely atmospheric reflections.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The Sklinna Lighthouse is currently fully automated and unmanned since 1974. Its power source is mains electricity with battery backup. The lighthouse does not have radar or AIS; instead, it relies on visual light sectors and charted positions.

9. Further Information

For more information, refer to the Kystverket "Fyrliste" (Norwegian Lighthouse Directory), Riksantikvaren's listing for Sklinna fyr, "Lighthouses of Norway" by Norsk Fyrhistorisk Forening, and Wikipedia (in Norwegian).