Muckle Flugga Lighthouse
Muckle Flugga ZE2 9EQ, UK
Name and Location
Muckle Flugga Lighthouse marks one of the most northerly points of the United Kingdom. It is located on Muckle Flugga, an island that belongs to the Shetland group in Scotland, UK.
2. Construction and History
The lighthouse was built in the mid-19th century, with construction completed in 1854. Initially known as North Unst Lighthouse, it was renamed Muckle Flugga in 1964 when the island received its new name. The tower has 103 steps and was fully automated in March 1995.
3. Architecture and Materials
The lighthouse is a painted masonry structure typical of Stevenson-era buildings. It stands 20 meters tall above base level, with a focal plane at 66 meters above mean sea level.
4. Light and Navigation
The light characteristic is group-flashing white every 20 seconds. The nominal range is 22 nautical miles. The lighthouse is equipped with standard NLB marine beacon.
5. Accessibility and Visiting
Public access to the tower and engine room is not permitted, but visitors can reach the surrounding headland on foot. The nearest services are available in Haroldswick, including a small shop and café.
6. Notable Views and Landscape
The area features rugged skerries and basalt stacks, often home to seabird colonies such as guillemot, razorbill, and fulmar. Panoramic Atlantic vistas can be enjoyed from the headland, which includes weather-beaten cliffs of Muckle Flugga and adjacent Out Stack.
7. Anecdotes and Folklore
The lighthouse has been the subject of local stories, with tales of storm-tossed relief vessels and keepers ferried out in rowing boats. Former keepers have endured fierce gales and long Arctic-dark winters. Robert Louis Stevenson's father designed and built the lighthouse, which inspired his writing.
8. Technical and Operational Details
The lighthouse is operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) and serves as an active aid to navigation. It does not have radar installation but has a standard NLB marine beacon.
9. Further Information
Further information can be found on the Northern Lighthouse Board website, Admiralty Chart A 3832, and Wikipedia entry Q2205850.
Details
| Name | Muckle Flugga Lighthouse |
|---|---|
| City | Haroldswick |
| Country | Scotland |
| Coordinates | 60.8553572, -0.8855879 |
| Year of construction | 1854 |
| Keeper stories | local stories speak of storm-tossed relief vessels and keepers ferried out in rowing boats |
| Stories | former keepers are said to have endured fierce gales and long Arctic-dark winters |
| Construction material | "painted masonry" |
| Focal height | 66 |
| Tower height | 20 |
| Renovations | automated under NLB management |
| Access description | By road: single-track road from Haroldsworth village to Skaw; final approach requires a sea crossing by private boat or chartered RIB from Haroldsworth pier |
| Accessible | false |
| Landscape type | rugged skerries and basalt stacks |
| View description | panoramic Atlantic vistas, weather-beaten cliffs of Muckle Flugga and adjacent Out Stack (“Oot Stack,” the northernmost UK rock) |
| Guided tours | false |
| Facilities | nearest services in Haroldsworth (small shop, café) |
| Opening hours | tower closed; headland accessible year-round |
| Nearby attractions | ["Haroldsworth: small settlement with Shetland Fishing Museum","Blue Heap and Hermaness NNR: seabird and seal colonies to the north of Unst","Muness Castle: 16th-century fortification near Baltasound"] |
| AIS Radar | false |
| Light characteristic | "group-flashing white, two flashes every 20 s (pattern 0.5 s flash +3.5 s eclipse +0.5 s flash +15.5 s eclipse)" |
| Light range | 22 |
| Automated | true |