Southerness Lighthouse

The Southerness Lighthouse is a lighthouse tower, initially built in 1748 as a navigational marker by Peter Milligan, a mason of Burran. The original structure was a pillar intended to be 30 feet high, with a beacon planned for its top. It was subsequently heightened at the instigation of Mrs Oswald of Auchencruive, and became a lighthouse around 1811. The lighthouse was raised to its present height between 1842 and 1843 by Walter Newall. It was disused from 1867 until thorough modernisation and reopening on 4 August 1894.

The tall, slightly battered tower is square in plan and built of painted rubble. At the upper level, three angles curve inwards towards the curved glazed light opening; a curved parapet walkway is supported by corbels in front of this opening. A segmental-arched and boarded doorway with an iron “yett” is located at the foot of the east face. The tower is topped by a curved, low-pitched slate roof with an apex ventilator. Inside, there is a wooden stair.

The lighthouse was originally built and formerly maintained by Dumfries Town Council. A 1837 report documented a height of 36 feet. It was marked on Ainslie’s map of 1797 as a “landmark”. A "Lighthouse" keeper was appointed in 1811.

The building is now disused.