Brough of Birsay Lighthouse

Located on the cliffs above Brough Head on at the northwest tip of the Orkney Mainland, Brough of Birsay Lighthouse comprises a stumpy white castellated tower 11m (36 feet) in height, giving the light an elevation of 52m (170 feet) above sea level. It was constructed in brick and was built in 1925 by David A. Stevenson (1854 - 1938).

The light uses a 35 watt metal-halide lamp and has a range of 21 miles (33 km). The lighthouse is automated and remotely monitored from the Northern Lighthouse Board Headquarters in Edinburgh, with annual maintenance visits. Since 2002 the power source has been a bank of batteries, charged by an array of 36 solar panels and 4 wind turbines. There is a diesel backup-generator.


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