Carraig Lighthouse…was built in 1832 by the Laird of Islay, Walter Frederick Campbell, in memory of his wife, Lady Ellinor (Ellenor) who died age 36.
Carraig Fhada Lighthouse, Islay
Carraig Fhada Lighthouse is unusual as it’s the only square lighthouse in Scotland!
It was built in 1832 by the Laird of Islay, Walter Frederick Campbell, in memory of his wife, Lady Ellinor (Ellenor) Campbell, who tragically died when she was 36 years old.
The lighthouse looks out towards Port Ellen, which Walter Frederick Campbell also built. The ferry port town was also named after Lady Ellinor.
The lighthouse is 17 metres tall (three stories high), with the main section measuring 5.5 metre square. The smaller section has a 3.4 metre square tower.
A signal shines from the mast at the top of the tower.
On your way to visit the lighthouse, you will pass the Kilnaughton burial ground. There is a concrete, rocky path that leads to the lighthouse, and in bad weather, it can be submerged by the sea.
While the lighthouse isn’t open for tourists, you can walk right up to it and admire it from the outside.
If you continue walking south along the Oa Peninsula, you will discover the Singing Sands beach, a beautiful golden sandy beach where the sand makes a singing sound if you rub the sole of your shoe on it.
Where to find Carraig Fhada Lighthouse
What3Words: ///outlooks.ample.averts
Latitude / Longitude: 55.620243, -6.2116500
