Bressay Lighthouse

Located on Kirkabister Ness on the western coast of the island of Bressay in Shetland, 2½ miles (4 km) southeast of Lerwick, the Bressay Lighthouse is a 16m (52-foot) white tower, which was completed in 1858 by engineering brothers David (1815-86) and Thomas Stevenson (1818-87). Having taken 2½ years to construct, the lighthouse overlooks Bressay Sound, to the south of the entrance to Lerwick Harbour, and had a range of 23 nautical miles (43 km). It was electrified in 1967 and automated in 1989. The former optical apparatus was removed at that time and is now displayed at the Shetland Museum and Archives in Lerwick.

The Northern Lighthouse Board discontinued the light in 2012 and passed responsibility to the Lerwick Port Authority, which has erected a new beacon on the site of the former radar station and fog signal adjacent to the existing lighthouse. This beacon has the same flashing characteristics as the original light but a reduced range of only 10 nautical miles (19 km).

The lighthouse and its support buildings were B-listed in 1977. Several of these associated buildings, including the former lightkeepers' cottages, were purchased by the Shetland Amenity Trust in 1995. The buildings have been refurbished for holiday letting and it is intended to open the former Engine and Radio rooms as a Heritage Centre.


Use the tabs on the right of this page to see other parts of this entry arrow

If you have found this information useful please consider making
a donation to help maintain and improve this resource. More info...

By using our site you agree to accept cookies, which help us serve you better