Muckle Flugga Lighthouse, Lighthouse on the rocky stack of Muckle Flugga, Shetland Islands, United Kingdom.
Muckle Flugga Lighthouse is a cylindrical masonry tower rising 20 meters above the northernmost point of the British Isles, crowned with a white light. The structure stands on a rocky stack that can be viewed from Hermaness National Nature Reserve, where observation points line the coastal cliffs.
Brothers Thomas and David Stevenson built the lighthouse in 1854 during the Crimean War to protect naval vessels. The permanent light was first activated in 1858 and has served as a vital navigation aid for ships in the northern Atlantic waters since then.
The name Muckle Flugga comes from Norse language and means "large steep-sided island," showing the Scandinavian roots of the Shetland Islands. You can sense this connection to the region's past as you walk around the lighthouse and look out over the rocky coastline.
The best time to visit is during daylight and dry weather, as the path to the viewpoints crosses rough coastal terrain. Sturdy footwear and weatherproof clothing are essential, especially since winds on the cliffs can be strong and visibility worsens in poor conditions.
Inside the lighthouse, visitors climb 103 steps to reach the top and gaze out across the North Atlantic from the highest point. The warning beam carries across 22 nautical miles, a remarkable reach for such a remote location.
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