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Southerness Lighthouse

VCF3+4X Dumfries, UK

Name and Location

The Southerness Lighthouse is located in Dumfries, Scotland, on the coast of southern Scotland.

2. Construction and History

The Southerness Lighthouse was built in 1848 by the Trinity House to guide mariners through the treacherous waters of the Solway Firth and the Irish Sea. The original tower stood at a height of approximately 30 meters (100 feet).

3. Architecture and Materials

The Southerness Lighthouse is a characteristic example of a Scottish lighthouse, featuring a cylindrical tower with a conical roof and a distinctive lantern room at the top. The structure is made of sandstone and granite, with a metal lantern room and a spiral staircase leading to the top.

4. Light and Navigation

The Southerness Lighthouse originally displayed a fixed white light, which was later changed to a flashing red light with a range of approximately 17 kilometers (10 miles). The light's characteristic pattern is Fl(3)W.15s, meaning it flashes three times every 15 seconds.

5. Accessibility and Visiting

Although the Southerness Lighthouse is no longer an active aid to navigation, it remains a popular tourist destination and a well-preserved example of Scottish lighthouse architecture. Visitors can access the site through guided tours, which offer a unique glimpse into the history and maintenance of this important maritime landmark.

6. Notable Views and Landscape

No information available for this section.

7. Anecdotes and Folklore

No information available for this section.

8. Technical and Operational Details

The Southerness Lighthouse is recognized by Historic Environment Scotland as a Category B listed structure.

9. Further Information

  • * "Southerness Lighthouse" on Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org)
  • * "Southerness Lighthouse" on Wikidata (wikidata.org)

Details

NameSoutherness Lighthouse
CityDumfries
CountryScotland
Coordinates54.8728267, -3.5950075
Year of construction1848
Historic significanceimportant maritime aid
Architectural styleScottish lighthouse
ArchitectTrinity House
Construction materialsandstone and granite
Access descriptionguided tours
Accessibletrue
Landscape typecoastal
Guided tourstrue
Facilitiestoilet, café