Ardnamurchan Lighthouse. Western Scotland - Coastal Lighthouses on Waymarking.com

Ardnamurchan Lighthouse is situated on the most westerly point of the British Mainland.
There have been many arguments about this name, two of the most likely are, Point of the sea-hounds or otters, (Airde meaning Point, Muirchu meaning sea-hound or otters) and the Point of the pirates or wreckers (where the "col" from Muirchol means wickedness).
The site for the lighthouse was chosen in 1845 and 20 acres of land was bought for the sum of £20.00. The land was owned by Mr Alexander Cameron who was also paid, rather grudgingly, £58.00 for any inconvenience during building operations.
The contractor responsible for the building work was a Mr Hume. During the three years it took to complete the lighthouse, scurvy broke out among the workmen and a doctor had to be called in to treat them.
The oil light was first exhibited on the night of 5 October 1849.
Two lightkeepers were appointed at a yearly allowance of £18.00. They kept at the station two cows and about a dozen sheep.
On the morning of 22 January 1852 there was severe storm and lightning struck the tower causing broken panes and plaster to come off the walls. Fifty feet of boundary wall was knocked down and 40 feet of road was washed away by the heavy seas. The keepers boat was broken up although they had secured it 15 feet above the last known high water mark.
The lighthouse was automated in 1988 and is now remotely monitored from the Board’s headquarters in Edinburgh.
The former keepers cottages and outbuildings are now privately operated as the Ardnamurchan Visitors Centre.

We stayed in the cottage alongside the lighthouse. A truly wild and exciting place. The water out of the taps had a slight rust colour from the peat surrounding the place. We saw a lot of wildlife including sea otters and seals. Each time I look at the pictures I want to return. It was worth the 30 mile drive down a single track road that resembled a switchback. And there is very little there when you get there. Just the lighthouse and, in the summer months, the shop is open next door. Just great and quite an experience on a wild black night.
V70PDB 2007.

Coastal Lighthouse: Lighthouse Range Lights: Not listed LIGHTHOUSE CHALLENGE VISIT: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/31/2019 Alancache visited it 05/05/2016 Lone Hunter visited it 08/20/2014 Yewbacca visited it 08/05/2009 ArchibaldAdventurers visited it

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