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Skerry Beacon, Stroma
Beacon (Period Unassigned)
Site Name Skerry Beacon, Stroma
Classification Beacon (Period Unassigned)
Alternative Name(s) Skerry Of Stroma; Island Of Stroma; Mell Head; Inner Sound; Pentland Firth
Canmore ID 283968
Site Number ND37NW 9
NGR ND 34142 75709
Datum OSGB36 - NGR
Permalink http://canmore.org.uk/site/283968
- Council Highland
- Parish Canisbay
- Former Region Highland
- Former District Caithness
- Former County Caithness
ND37NW 9 34142 75709
Beacon [NAT]
OS 1:10,000 map, 1987.
Not to be confused with Stroma Lighthouse (ND 3537 7921), for which see ND37NE 12.
This beacon is situated on Skerry, a low rock which projects into the Inner Sound just off Mell Head [name: ND 339 761], the southernmost point of Stroma. It may be tentatively equated with the 'old lighthouse' that is entered as ND37NE 20 at cited location ND c. 353 792.
The history and status of this beacon are unclear. In 1890, the Commissioners of Northern Lights established a 'scintillating' beacon (supplied with lythene or petroleum spirit from externally-sited 'cisterns') on Stroma, possibly at this location. This was found to be an unsuitable location for a minor light, justifying the construction of the manned lighthouse ND37NE 12.00.
The 1980 edition of the Admiralty List of Lights does not list a beacon on Skerry, but the HO chart notes what may be this structure as an unlit landmark.
Information from RCAHMS (RJCM), 27 October 2006.
R W Munro 1979; UKHO chart no. 2581 (1982, revised 1997).
