St. Abbs Lighthouse

Scottish Borders, United Kingdom

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

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St Abb's Head Lighthouse stands on the dramatic cliffs of the rocky promontory of St Abb's Head near the village of St Abbs in Berwickshire, Scottish Borders. Built in 1862 by brothers David and Thomas Stevenson following the Northern Lighthouse Board's recommendation after the 1857 sinking of the Martello on Carr Rock, this 9-metre structure was designed to assist navigation between the Bell Rock and Isle of May lights. The lighthouse began service on 24 February 1862 with an oil-fuelled light, later converted to incandescent power in 1906 and electricity in 1966 before automation in 1993. Originally staffed by three full-time keepers who maintained detailed weather records, the site also housed Scotland's first audible fog signal, a foghorn established in 1876, which operated through various mechanical systems until discontinuation in 1987. Now a category B listed building, the lighthouse remains in good repair though closed to the public, accessible via a two-kilometre single-track road primarily reserved for disabled visitors.

Built: 1862
Type: lighthouse
Heritage: category B listed building
Height: 9 m
Place: Scottish Borders, United Kingdom

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55.91620, -2.13877