Kinnaird Head
Encyclopedia
Kinnaird Head is a headland
projecting into the North Sea
, within the town of Fraserburgh
, Aberdeenshire
on the east coast of Scotland
. It is the site of the first lighthouse
in Scotland to be lit by the Commissioners of Northern Lights
. The light was designed by Thomas Smith
, built in 1787, and now forms part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.
), was built in 1570 by Sir Alexander Fraser, 8th laird of Philorth
and sold to the Trustees of the Northern lights in 1787, who turned it into a lighthouse. The last to reside in the castle were John Gordon of Kinellar (1684-1764) and his wife, Henrietta Fraser (1698-1751).
on 1 December 1787. A lantern was set 120 feet above the sea on a tower of the old castle. Whale oil lamps produced a fixed light, each backed by a parabolic reflector. Kinnaird Head was the most powerful light of its time, and contained 17 reflectors arranged in 3 horizontal tiers. It was reported to be visible 12 or 14 miles off.
In 1824, internal alternations were made to incorporate a new lantern and to provide accommodation for the lightkeepers. In 1906 the light was converted to incandescent operation. In 1929 Kinnaird Head became home to the first Radio Beacon in Scotland. The Fog Signal was discontinued in 1987, although the horn is still in place. The original lighthouse is no longer operational and is now home to The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. A new automatic light was established beside the original light in 1991.
Headlands and bays
Headlands and bays are two related features of the coastal environment.- Geology and geography :Headlands and bays are often found on the same coastline. A bay is surrounded by land on three sides, whereas a headland is surrounded by water on three sides. Headlands are characterized by high,...
projecting into the North Sea
North Sea
In the southwest, beyond the Straits of Dover, the North Sea becomes the English Channel connecting to the Atlantic Ocean. In the east, it connects to the Baltic Sea via the Skagerrak and Kattegat, narrow straits that separate Denmark from Norway and Sweden respectively...
, within the town of Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh
Fraserburgh is a town in Aberdeenshire, Scotland with a population recorded in the 2001 Census at 12,454 and estimated at 12,630 in 2006. It lies at the extreme northeast corner of Aberdeenshire, around north of Aberdeen, and north of Peterhead...
, Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire
Aberdeenshire is one of the 32 unitary council areas in Scotland and a lieutenancy area.The present day Aberdeenshire council area does not include the City of Aberdeen, now a separate council area, from which its name derives. Together, the modern council area and the city formed historic...
on the east coast of Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. It is the site of the first lighthouse
Lighthouse
A lighthouse is a tower, building, or other type of structure designed to emit light from a system of lamps and lenses or, in older times, from a fire, and used as an aid to navigation for maritime pilots at sea or on inland waterways....
in Scotland to be lit by the Commissioners of Northern Lights
Northern Lighthouse Board
The Northern Lighthouse Board is the General Lighthouse Authority for Scotland and the Isle of Man. It is a non-departmental public body responsible for marine navigation aids around coastal areas.-History:...
. The light was designed by Thomas Smith
Thomas Smith (engineer)
Thomas Smith was a Scottish businessman and early lighthouse engineer. Born in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, his father drowned in Dundee harbour when he was young...
, built in 1787, and now forms part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.
Kinnaird Castle
The Kinnaird Castle (one of The Nine Castles of KnuckleThe Nine Castles of Knuckle
The Nine Castles of Knuckle are a group of ancient castles found in the extinct area of "Knuckle", which today would be located on the very far corner of the north-east coast of Aberdeenshire in the Buchan area of Scotland.- External links :...
), was built in 1570 by Sir Alexander Fraser, 8th laird of Philorth
Frasers of Philorth
The Frasers of Philorth are a Scottish lowland family, originally from the Anjou region of France. Their family seat is in Sauchen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland. Since the time of Alexander Fraser, 11th Lord Saltoun, the heads of the Philorth family are the Lords Saltoun. The current head of the...
and sold to the Trustees of the Northern lights in 1787, who turned it into a lighthouse. The last to reside in the castle were John Gordon of Kinellar (1684-1764) and his wife, Henrietta Fraser (1698-1751).
Lighthouse
The original light at Kinnaird Head was established by Thomas SmithThomas Smith (engineer)
Thomas Smith was a Scottish businessman and early lighthouse engineer. Born in Broughty Ferry, Dundee, his father drowned in Dundee harbour when he was young...
on 1 December 1787. A lantern was set 120 feet above the sea on a tower of the old castle. Whale oil lamps produced a fixed light, each backed by a parabolic reflector. Kinnaird Head was the most powerful light of its time, and contained 17 reflectors arranged in 3 horizontal tiers. It was reported to be visible 12 or 14 miles off.
In 1824, internal alternations were made to incorporate a new lantern and to provide accommodation for the lightkeepers. In 1906 the light was converted to incandescent operation. In 1929 Kinnaird Head became home to the first Radio Beacon in Scotland. The Fog Signal was discontinued in 1987, although the horn is still in place. The original lighthouse is no longer operational and is now home to The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. A new automatic light was established beside the original light in 1991.
Winetower
The Winetower is a small three story tower located approximately 50 metres from Kinnaird Head Lighthouse. It is reputed that in the cave below, one of the Fraser family imprisoned his daughter's boyfriend, leaving him to drown there. The daughter then jumped from the roof of the tower. There is red paint on the rocks below to illustrate her blood. According to local tradition, the tower is said to be haunted.Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses at Kinnaird Head incorporates the original lighthouse and a modern building housing collections of lenses and other artefacts from many lighthouses across Scotland. The museum hosts a wide range of special events throughout the year, and includes a cafe and gift shop.External links
- Panorama from the lantern room (QuickTime required)