Eilean Glas Lighthouse, Historic lighthouse on Scalpay Island, Outer Hebrides, Scotland
Description
Eilean Glas Lighthouse is a 30-meter tower on the eastern shore of Scalpay Island in the Outer Hebrides, where red and white bands make it clearly visible against the coastal landscape. The complex includes several buildings with stone walls and granite dressings built in a classical style.
History
The lighthouse was built in 1789 as one of Scotland's first four beacons and received its present form in 1824 through a major reconstruction supervised by Robert Stevenson. This redesign was part of a broader effort to upgrade Scottish coastal navigation.
Culture
The lighthouse complex shows unusual architectural influences from Greece and Egypt, visible in the carefully cut stone walls and distinctive ramped entrances. This blend of styles is rare on the island and makes the site visually distinctive.
Practical
The building is now automated and operated by the Northern Lighthouse Board, with the light flashing every twenty seconds. The site is accessible by land, but visitors should prepare for rough weather and the distance from the nearest settlement.
Did you know?
The first keeper Alexander Reid tended the lighthouse for 35 years until 1823 and later received a modest retirement pension. This long service reflects the isolation and dedication that early lighthouse keepers needed.
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