Cherie's Place

Information on the Tarbat Ness lighthouse displayed at the museum:

Designed and installed in the lighthouse by David Stevenson, 1892.

The Tarbat Ness lighthouse was built in 1830 on the site of an ancient Roman fort at the mouth of the Moray Firth in north-east Scotland.  It overlooks a wild and windy coast that, in local folklore, was danced on and flown over by witches.

Robert Stevenson designed the lighthouse at Tarbat Ness.  His grandson (cousin of author Robert Louis Stevenson), produced the design for the optic which was installed in 1892.  It was in use until the automation of the lighthouse in 1985.  Tarbat Ness became the first coastal lighthouse to have flashing lights which could be seen as far as 24 miles (38.64km) out to sea.

Lighthouses were originally lit by naked flames.  This was very hazardous and they often burnt down.  Oil and gas lamps were safer but were replaced soon after electric light was introduced in 1862.

Tags: Greenwich, National Maritime Museum, Tarbat Ness, Weekend away