Esha Ness Lighthouse

The Esha Ness Lighthouse is situated on the Northmavine peninsula in the north-west mainland of the Shetland Islands, Scotland.

• It can be accessed via the B9078 road, which runs along the western edge of the peninsula.
• The lighthouse was built between 1925 and 1929 by David Alan Stevenson and Charles Alexander Stevenson, two of the famous 'lighthouse' Stevensons, grandsons of Robert Stevenson.

History

The tower is a tapering square structure 12 metres (39 ft) high, built from concrete due to the unsuitability of local stone.

• The lighthouse features an octagonal lantern atop a square tower, which was built at the top of a 200 ft (60 m) high cliff.
• The light flashes white every 12 seconds and has a nominal range of 25 nautical miles (46 km).

Current Status

The lighthouse was automated in 1974, and the former lighthouse keepers' accommodation is now holiday accommodation.

• It is owned by the Shetland Amenity Trust.
• Unusually, the accommodation was built for only one keeper, whereas most facilities housed three.

Heritage Status

The Esha Ness Lighthouse was listed in 1997, as it has some unusual features, including the use of concrete as a building material.

• The remote setting of the lighthouse is largely unchanged since it was built.

Notable Historical Events

The lighthouse replaced a temporary structure constructed in 1915 on the Eshaness peninsula to warn of the Ve Skerries some 8.5 miles (13.7 km; 7.4 nmi) offshore to the south-west.

• This temporary structure was removed after World War I, and it was the last lighthouse built by the Stevenson family of lighthouse engineers.