Discover/explore the lighthouses of North East Scotland, which takes in Aberdeenshire, Moray and North East Highland.
Just south of the Granite City, Aberdeen, is Nigg Bay, where a new harbour is now being developed, welcoming cruisers into the city. Girdleness Lighthouse dominates the headland. Its redundant foghorn, known as the Torry Coo stares silently out to sea. The lighthouse is unusual in design with its central gallery - inside are impressive engravings. Girdleness Lighthouse offers holiday accommodation.
Dolphins can often be seen in Aberdeen harbour, and there are several harbour lighthouses here. The Torry lighthouses are made of cast iron and located within an industrial estate, but worth a visit nonetheless.
A castle was built at Kinnaird Head in 1570, and this was later converted into a lighthouse in 1786, one of the oldest lighthouses in Scotland. A modern lighthouse has since replaced the tower which now forms part of the impressive Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. The museum displays numerous lighthouse optics and you can take a tour of the castle lighthouse and engine room. Be prepared to spend longer than you think there, and don’t forget to visit the cafe.
From Fraserburgh the coastline turns in towards the Moray Firth, and many harbours are dotted along the way.
Inverness straddles the River Ness and the Caledonian Canal. The canal links the Moray Firth to Loch Ness and the west coast of Scotland, alleviating the need to travel around the northern tip of Scotland. Bona Lighthouse at Lochend marks the northern end of the canal and guided ships into the Caledonian canal from Loch Ness.
Although John O’Groats claims to be the most northerly point of Scotland, Dunnet Head is in fact a further two miles north. There are stunning views across to Orkney from Dunnet Head. The lighthouse was built in in 1831, and its original 1908 optic is housed at the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh. Her Majesty The Queen Mother visited Dunnet Head lighthouse whilst staying at the Castle of Mey, which she bought in 1952.