Archaeology Notes

Event ID 855050

Category Descriptive Accounts

Type Archaeology Notes

Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/event/855050

NL82NW 1 8384 2629

N56 19.4 W7 6.9

Formerly entered at cited locations NL c. 840 263 and NL c. 840 263.

For (associated) Hynish, signal station or lighthouse establishment (NL 9853 3918) and harbour (NL 986 392), see NL93NE 8 and NL93NE 9 respectively.

For bell founded in 1843 for Skerryvore lighthouse and now held in St Cona's Church, Loch Awe (NN 1158 2673), see NN12NW 21.

For associated quarries at Camas Tuath, Mull (NM 3520 2424), see NM32SE 16.

EXTERNAL REFERENCE

Source: Mr R Q C Stevenson, 18 Mortonhall Road, Edinburgh 9.

29. missing

30. The Skerryvore Lighthouse. Printed Sheet.

31. Skerryvore Lighthouse. Notice to mariners. Notice of erection.

37. Skerryvore Lighthouse. Design for a cast-iron columnal Lighthouse proposed to be erected on the Skerryvore rocks by Com. Samuel Brown (1776-1852). Sgd. Sam Brown, Netherbyres House, Berwickshire 1 Jany 1836. Watercolour. Longitudinal Section. Scale 5" - 30 ft. Note: The Letters refer the the printed Report.

33. Skerryvore Rock. Elevation of a bronze Lighthouse proposed to be erected on the Skerryvore Rocks by Samuel Brown (1776-1852). Granite column with internal accomodation. Pen and watercolour. Scale 5" - 20ft. Signed by George Rennie London 7 July 1836.

34. Skerryvore Lighthouse (Office Copy). Section showing use of compartments ( floors). Pen and grey and pink wash. Scale 1/10" - 1ft.

Lighthouse upon the Skerryvore Rock. Dated Edinburgh 23 December 1843. Verso: Specification of the position of the Lighthouse and the appearance of the Light by Mr Alan Stevenson (1807-65). Text and chart of position of Lighthouse.

38. Elevation of a lighthouse ( plate V1). James Andrews delt. pen and watercolour. Scale 1/4" - 1ft. in bottom right hand corner "Stevenson's account of Skerryvore Lighthouse" ( Alan Stevenson 1848). pen and watercolour. Scale 1/4" - 1ft..

39. Section of a lighthouse (Plate V11). Course (floor) plans and sections showing dates for finishing parts of the building. (Alan Stevenson's Account of the Skerryvore Lighthouse, 1848)

40a. Curves for lighthouse tower and illustration of a Marine Dynamomenter (Plate IV). Engraved. W & A K Johnston Scuplt. ( Alan Stevenson's Account of the Skerryvore Lighthouse, 1848)

(Undated) information in NMRS.

(Location cited as NL 83 27). Skerryvore Lighthouse, built 1838-44 by engineer Alan Stevenson. A circular-section, ten-storey masonry tower, 138 ft (42.03m) high on the largest exposed rock of an extensive reef. The interior was badly damaged by fire in 1954, and has been repaired and re-equipped, but the lantern framework is original.

J R Hume 1977.

This rock lighthouse suffered minor bomb damage in 1940 and extensive damage (some of it structural) in the fire of 1954, which destroyed the optical system. After reconstruction, the tower was electrified (in 1959) and fitted with a Racon beacon (after 1968).

R W Munro 1979.

NL 840 263. Skerryvore Lighthouse is situated about 11 nautical miles WSW of Tiree, and stands on the largest exposed rock of an extensive reef. Designed and built by Alan Stevenson, work on its construction started in 1838; the masonry structure was completed in 1842, and the light was first exhibited in 1844. The circular tower measures 12.8m in diameter at base, and the masonry structure rises to a height of 42m. From the entrance the tower rises through ten storeys to the light-room and lantern, each of the lower nine floors being vaulted and measuring 3.7 m in diameter. The interior was thoroughly repaired and re-equipped following a serious fire in 1954.

Visible on RCAHMS air photographs AG 9053-60 (flown 1978).

RCAHMS 1980, visited 1974.

(Location cited as N56 19.4 W7 6.9 [NL 8384 2629]).

Admiralty List of Lights 1980.

Name: Skerryvore (1838-44)

Location: N56 19 W7 7 Atlantic, 12 miles SW end of Tiree

Designed: Alan Stevenson

Built: Alan, and later Thomas, Stevenson

Light first exhibited: 1 February 1844

Description: circular granite tower

Height of light above MHW: 151ft (46m)

Height of tower: 138ft (42m)

Light source and characteristics: W Fl (1) ev 10 secs. 250W metal halide lamp: 1,000,000 cp: 26nm nominal range

Fog warning apparatus: Horn (1) ev 60 secs

Manning: unwatched (automatic since 31 March 1994), monitored from Northern Lighthouse Board HQ, Edinburgh

Considered to be Scotland's most graceful tower, and Alan Stevenson's greatest work. The lengthy automation process involved removing blue asbestos

C Nicholson 1995.