Name and Location

Rubha Cadail Lighthouse stands at the tip of the Rhue peninsula, guarding the entrance to Loch Broom on the west coast of Scotland. It lies about 5 km north of the town of Ullapool in the parish of Lochbroom, Highland council area.

2. Construction and History

No firm record survives of the exact date of construction, but the light appears on Northern Lighthouse Board lists from the early 20th century. The name Rubha Cadail derives from the Gaelic for "Point of Sleep," possibly alluding to either the calm waters of the loch or a local tradition.

3. Architecture and Materials

The lighthouse is a minor coastal tower with a lantern and gallery, constructed using masonry or concrete (typical of small Northern Lighthouse Board beacons). The tower height is 11 meters above sea level, and it remains an active aid to navigation.

4. Light and Navigation

Rubha Cadail exhibits a group-flashing sequence of six flashes every six seconds. It is a multi-sector light with different colours and ranges depending on bearing: green for sectors 311°–320° & 111°–118��, white for sectors 320°–325°, 103°–111°, and 157°–199°, and red for sectors 325°–103° & 127°–157°.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

The lighthouse stands on a rocky promontory accessible via a rough coastal path from the Rhue road end (parking at IV26 2TJ). While the tower itself is not open to visitors, the site affords excellent views of Loch Broom towards Ullapool and The Minch to the Outer Hebrides.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

From the site, one can see east up Loch Broom towards Ullapool, with the distinctive massif of Stac Pollaidh visible to the north. On clear days, the Outer Hebrides can be seen across The Minch.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

There are no surviving tales of shipwrecks at the point, though mariners have long appreciated this beacon for the accurate sectoring of its multi-coloured light.

8. Technical and Operational Details

Managed by the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), Rubha Cadail is classed as a "light_major" on Admiralty charts (ADM A 3885). The light is fully automated, with no resident keeper for many decades.

9. Further Information

For further information, please visit the Northern Lighthouse Board website or consult Admiralty List of Lights, Volume D (UK West Coast) – Light A 3885.