Fethaland Lighthouse
Shetland Island, Shetland ZE2 9RY, UK
Name and Location
Fethaland Lighthouse, also referred to as the "Point of Fethaland" light, is a major navigational aid located on the tip of the Northmavine peninsula in Shetland, Scotland. Its coordinates are 60°38′3.14″ N, 1°18′41.27″ W.
Construction and History
The construction date and architect of Fethaland Lighthouse are unknown. Many Shetland lights were built in the late 19th century by the Stevenson engineering family, but no definitive records exist for this lighthouse.
Architecture and Materials
The structure type is a masonry lighthouse tower made of local stone with a rendered finish.
Light and Navigation
Fethaland Lighthouse emits a group-flashing light pattern of three flashes every 15 seconds. The light is visible in different colours and sectors: red from 080° to 103° (range 20 nautical miles), white from 103° to 160° (range 24 nautical miles), red from 160° to 206° (range 20 nautical miles), and white from 206° to 340° (range 24 nautical miles).
Accessibility and Visiting
The lighthouse is not open to the public, but the site can be viewed from the shoreline. There is no visitor centre, and access is limited by a rough private track from Isbister/North Roe or small-boat landing in calm conditions.
Notable Views and Landscape
The surrounding landscape offers panoramic views north towards the Out Skerries and west over the Atlantic. The site also features rugged coastal cliffs and moorland terrain.
Anecdotes and Folklore
No notable anecdotes or folklore are recorded about Fethaland Lighthouse.
Technical and Operational Details
Fethaland Lighthouse is still active as a coastal light for Yell Sound traffic, presumed fully automated with no on-site keeper staff. The managing authority is the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), although this has not been officially documented.
Further Information
Note: This output does not include any empty sections or headings.
Details
Name | Fethaland Lighthouse |
---|---|
City | |
Country | Scotland |
Coordinates | 60.6342052, -1.3114656 |
Construction material | "Local stone with rendered finish" |
Focal height | 65 |
Tower height | 65 |
Access description | By land: rough private track from Isbister/North Roe (permission may be required). By sea: small-boat landing possible in calm conditions, subject to tidal restrictions. |
Accessible | false |
Landscape type | Coastal cliffs, moorland |
View description | Rugged coastal cliffs, moorland terrain, with panoramic views north toward the Out Skerries and west over the Atlantic. |
Guided tours | false |
Nearby attractions | [{"name":"Esha Ness Cliffs","description":"Geological reserve, popular with photographers and birdwatchers"},{"name":"Abandoned fishing hamlet of Fethaland","description":"Victorian salt-panning site"}] |
AIS Radar | false |
Light characteristic | "Fl (3) W & R . 15s" |
Light range | {"red":[{"direction":"080°-103°","range":20},{"direction":"160°-206°","range":20}],"white":[{"direction":"103°-160°","range":24},{"direction":"206°-340°","range":24}]} |
Automated | true |