Like the guiding beams they cast out, lighthouses can lead visitors through the pages of Scottish history. The Caledonian maritime tradition has long been stitched into the nation’s culture – from the Viking influences of Medieval Norway to the thriving shipbuilding industry of wartime Glasgow, Scotland and seafaring have never been distant. 63 towers were built in the 19th century alone, almost all of which involved the work of Robert, Alan, or David Stevenson.
Over the years, the Stevenson family has become synonymous with Scottish lighthouses. The tradition began with Thomas Smith, a Scottish engineer and entrepreneur who was appointed Chief Engineer of Northern Lighthouse Trust in 1786. The Stevensons quickly became the most celebrated designers in the country, erecting structures in every corner of the nation.
Whether bearing the Stevenson name or not, the majority of lighthouses across the United Kingdom are now automated or fully deactivated. Their presence, however, is a continual testament to the ingenuity of Scottish engineering, with each still standing as a proud landmark overlooking their surroundings. This article highlights just some of these monuments and the deep history shrouding each of them.