Butt of Lewis Lighthouse

A Beacon Built Against the Elements

The Butt of Lewis Lighthouse stands at Rubha Robhanais, the most northerly point of the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides. Designed by David Stevenson and completed in 1862, this 37-metre tower is constructed from red brick—an unusual choice for Scottish lighthouses, which are typically painted white. The unpainted brick was deliberately left exposed because common bricks cannot withstand the relentless salt spray and weathering of this exposed Atlantic headland. The lighthouse contains 168 steps spiralling to the lightroom, which is no longer accessible to the public. Its distinctive character comes from the interplay between its industrial heritage and the raw, untamed landscape that surrounds it.

Engineering Triumph in a Hostile Environment

The construction of this lighthouse was a remarkable feat of Victorian engineering. The Stevenson brothers quoted £4,900 for the entire project, including keeper accommodation and support buildings. All materials had to be delivered by sea to the sheltered cove of Port Stoth, as road communications in Lewis were virtually non-existent in the 1860s. The work faced significant delays: a ship carrying construction materials was wrecked on the rocks while attempting to reach Port Stoth, and the skilled stonemason responsible for building the spiral staircase went on strike, successfully negotiating an extra penny per day in wages. The lighthouse continued to receive supplies by sea until the 1960s, when improved road access finally made land delivery feasible.

From Paraffin to Automation

The lighthouse's operational history reflects the evolution of maritime technology. Originally lit by vegetable or fish oil, the light source changed to paraffin in 1869 and remained so until 1976, when electricity was introduced. In 1985, an electric gearless pedestal was installed, producing a white flash every five seconds visible for 25 nautical miles. On 30 March 1998, the Butt of Lewis became one of the last lighthouses in the British Isles to be automated, ending nearly 140 years of continuous human habitation. Three keepers and their families had lived at the station, maintaining the light through storms and isolation. Today, the lighthouse is remotely monitored and controlled from the Northern Lighthouse Board's headquarters in Edinburgh, and the site serves as the radio control station for the North Minch area.

Geology and Natural Heritage

The headland itself is geologically ancient, comprising some of the oldest rocks in Europe, formed during the Precambrian period up to 3 billion years ago. The Butt of Lewis features dramatic cliffs rising 60 to 80 feet, carved by millennia of Atlantic waves and wind. A natural arch called the Eye of the Butt (Toll a' Ròigh in Scottish Gaelic) can be viewed from the Habost machair to the southwest. The site holds the distinction of being listed in the Guinness Book of Records as one of the windiest spots in Britain—a claim that becomes immediately apparent to visitors who experience the relentless Atlantic gales that sweep across this exposed promontory.

Wildlife and Landscape

The cliffs and surrounding waters support abundant seabird populations, making the Butt of Lewis a haven for ornithologists and birdwatchers. Gannets, shags, and oystercatchers are commonly observed, and the dramatic coastal scenery provides exceptional opportunities for wildlife photography. The landscape also reveals evidence of historical land use: agricultural lazy beds are visible along the coast, and a well-preserved open field runrig system—a relic of communal farming practices—can be seen inland from the approach road. The machair grasslands support diverse wildflower communities, particularly in spring and summer.

Strategic Importance and Modern Legacy

Beyond its role as a navigational beacon, the Butt of Lewis has served critical functions in maritime communication and safety. During World War II, on 16 November 1940, a German aircraft strafed the lighthouse during its return from a North Atlantic patrol, though little damage resulted. The station functioned as a radio relay for the isolated Flannan Islands lighthouse keepers in the early 1930s, continuing this role until the Flannans were demanned in 1971. From the mid-1990s to March 2022, the site transmitted Differential Global Positioning System signals to aid navigation across the North Minch. Today, it remains an essential navigational aid and a symbol of Scotland's maritime heritage.