Bass Rock Lighthouse

Bass Rock Lighthouse is a cylindrical white tower with a black lantern rising 20 meters above the rock, featuring a balcony and a single-story keeper's house. The structure incorporates stones salvaged from an earlier 13th-century fortress that once occupied the same location.

Commissioned in 1902 by the Northern Lighthouse Board, engineer David Stevenson designed this structure as part of early 20th-century Scottish lighthouse development. It has served as a vital navigation marker for the Firth of Forth shipping routes since its completion.

The lighthouse stands amid one of northern Europe's largest gannet colonies, where thousands of seabirds breed and hunt throughout the year. Visitors reaching the rock find themselves surrounded by the birds' loud calls and constant flight.

Access to the rock is only possible by boat tour from North Berwick, as it remains completely isolated in the sea. Weather conditions heavily affect landings, so planning flexibility and checking conditions beforehand are essential.

Lighthouse keepers lived here until 1988, making it one of Scotland's last gas-powered beacons before conversion to electric automation. This shift from gas to automated systems marks an important milestone in how coastal navigation technology transformed.

Location: East Lothian

Location: North Berwick

Inception: 1902

Height: 20 m

GPS coordinates: 56.07660,-2.64094

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:11