Ruadh Sgeir lighthouse

Ruadh Sgeir is a solar-powered minor light (light beacon) dating from 1983. Standing on a raised square concrete base reached by a concrete stair, Ruadh Sgeir is a cylindrical, GRP (glass reinforced plastic) tower with a metal gallery. It is topped by a conical-roofed lantern with triangular-shaped storm panes and astragal bars. The automatic LED light flashes white every six seconds and has a range of eight nautical miles.

The eastern side of the lighthouse has two entrance doors, one at ground level and one at balcony level. There are solar panels attached to the southern side of the lighthouse.

The interior space is divided into two spaces. The lower section houses the electrical and communications equipment and banks of batteries. It has small porthole windows. The upper section houses the light.

Historical development

In 1906 a minor light was built on Ruadh Sgeir by David A and Charles Stevenson. The introduction of this un-manned beacon light was announced by the Northern Lighthouse Board in a Notice To Mariners (Lloyds List 13 November 1906).

In 1983 the original Ruadh Sgeir light was replaced by the current GRP example, originally fuelled by acetylene gas but converted in 2002 to solar-powered electricity.