North Tower, Berriedale Navigation Beacons

The North Tower is a pair of early 19th-century rubble navigation beacons. The lower beacon is a square rubble tower with dummy blind windows in both the ground and first stages. A recessed area on the north-east side provides a seat. A plain string course and cornice runs around the upper stage, topped by four stumpy round angle pinnacles. The upper beacon is a short round rubble tower on a plinth, with a plain string course and cornice supporting a crenellated parapet. These beacons appear to have functioned as "transimarks," navigation aids enabling safe entry into Berriedale shore when viewed in alignment from a boat at sea; they are positioned one behind the other on the cliff top. The seated recess in the lower beacon would have provided shelter for those watching for boats.