History of the Lighthouse David Stevenson, who was at the time
Engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board, built the Lighthouse in
1862.
Little is known of the Station's early days, though the first
light displayed was probably fixed rather than flashing, but this
is not certain. A plaque in the Lightroom indicates that the
present equipment was installed in 1905, when the characteristics
of the light was one flash every twenty seconds.
In 1869, paraffin is known to have replaced the vegetable or
fish oil hitherto used as the light source, and indeed continued in
use until 1976, when it in turn was replaced by electricity.
The light is fixed, and sits inside a large lens; (in effect a
giant magnifying glass).
The lens revolves around the light, thus giving the familiar
flashing effect. The station became the radio link for the
keepers on the isolated Flannan Islands in the early 1930's, and
continued to function as such until 1971, when the Flannans was
demanned, and the light made automatic.
Today, the Butt of Lewis acts as the monitoring station for the
automatic light on the Flannans, North Rona and Sula Sgeir and is
the radio control station for the North Minch area.
The Butt of Lewis was manned by three Keepers who lived at the
Station with their families. The Station's claim to fame, according
to the "Guinness Book of Records" some years ago is that it was the
windiest spot in the United Kingdom.
The fog signal at the Butt of Lewis Lighthouse was discontinued
in 31 March 1995. The Butt of Lewis Lighthouse was automated
on 30 March 1998 and is now remotely monitored from the
Board’s headquarters in Edinburgh.
The Butt of Lewis is also one the General Lighthouse Authorities
transmitting stations for Differential GPS.
Details: Year Established: 1862 EngineerDavid &Thomas
Stevenson
PositionLatitude: 58° 30.940'N Longitude: 006°
15.717'W
Character: Flashing White every 5 Secs Elevation: 52 metres
Nominal Range: 25 nautical miles Structure: Red Brick tower 37
metres high. There are 168 steps to the top of the tower ..
Geocache contents: 2 Logbooks and a Pen. Take the Spoiler
Picture with you, remember the Terrain-Rating. !!!!! Be careful
when the Wind blows !!!!!
Eoropie
Weather Live-Report
Gordon
Walker at his best, the sound of Scotland !