South Tower, Berriedale Navigation Beacons

The South Tower is a pair of early 19th-century rubble navigation beacons. The lower beacon is a square rubble tower with dummy blind windows on both the ground and first stage. A recess on the northeast side provides a seat. A plain string course and cornice run around the upper stage, and it is topped by four stumpy, round angle pinnacles. The upper beacon is a short, round rubble tower built on a plinth, with a plain string course and cornice circling a crenellated parapet. These beacons are believed to have been "transimarks," navigation aids used to guide ships safely into Berriedale shore when viewed in alignment from a boat at sea. They are positioned one behind the other on the cliff top, and the seated recess in the lower beacon likely offered shelter for the person watching for boats.