Scottish Lighthouse Museum

The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses consists of the first lighthouse built on mainland Scotland and a purpose-built museum housing artefacts donated by the Northern Lighthouse Board and the general public.

The highlight of a visit to the museum is a guided walk to Kinnaird Head lighthouse, which was purchased from the Fraser family by the Trustees of the Northern lights in 1787. This unique building was converted from a sixteenth century castle keep in 1787. Thomas Smith, who was the stepfather of Robert Stevenson, designed the first lantern fixed there. Robert Stevenson improved the tower in 1824 and a smaller tower within the castle keep was constructed. The building has a paraffin store, living quarters and within the tower it houses the largest type of lighthouse lens ever made in its upper light room.

The museum building contains several galleries containing a fabulous collection of glass lenses, lighting technology and social history artefacts covering the lives of the men and families who guarded Scotland’s coastline for over two hundred years. There are audio-visual displays and interactive exhibits that will engage you both in science and history.

The museum also has a café with windows looking out onto the entrance of the Moray Firth. Whales, dolphins and all manner of bird life can be seen travelling past while you sit in the warmth of the café with a cup of tea.