Rattray Head (),[1] historically Rattray Point, is a headland in Buchan, Aberdeenshire, on the north-east coast Scotland. To north lies Strathbeg Bay and Rattray Bay is to its south. The dunes at Rattray Head beach can be up to 75 feet (23 m) high and stretch 17 miles (27 km) from St Combs to Peterhead.[2][3]
Rattray Head lighthouse
edit Rattray Head Lighthouse | |
 | |
| Location | Rattray Head Buchan Aberdeenshire Scotland |
|---|---|
| OS grid | NK1106457807 |
| Coordinates | 57°36′36″N 1°49′00″W / 57.610123°N 1.816557°W |
| Tower | |
| Constructed | 1895 |
| Built by | David Alan Stevenson, Charles Alexander Stevenson  |
| Foundation | granite basement |
| Construction | brick tower |
| Automated | 1982 |
| Height | 34 metres (112 ft) |
| Shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern on a conical frustum basement |
| Markings | unpainted basement, white tower, black lantern |
| Power source | solar power |
| Operator | Rattray Head B&B and Ratty's Tearoom [4][5] |
| Heritage | category B listed building |
| Fog signal | 2 blasts every 45s. |
| Light | |
| Focal height | 28 metres (92 ft) |
| Intensity | 156,000 candela |
| Range | 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (3) W 30s. |
The 120-foot (37 m)[2][3] Rattray Head lighthouse was built in 1895.[6][7] It was built by the engineers and brothers David Alan Stevenson and Charles Alexander Stevenson. In February 1982 it became unmanned and self-working.[2][3]
The lighthouse is accessible by way of a causeway that is usually underwater and only visible at low tide. It is wide enough for a vehicle to cross.
Remains of several shipwrecks can still be seen on the beach.
Access to the beach is by a narrow track with deep ruts, potholes and limited passing places which leads to a carpark and a short walk through the sand dunes (high ground clearance and good reversing skills required).[2][3]
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "The Online Scots Dictionary". Archived from the original on 21 October 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Rattray Head Travel Guide". World 66. Retrieved 6 July 2007.
- ^ a b c d Stanley Bruce (2005). The Bard O' Buchan Vol 1'. Bard Books. ISBN 0-9547960-2-0.
- ^ Rowlett, Russ. "Lighthouses of Eastern Scotland". The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Retrieved 11 May 2016.
- ^ Rattray Head Northern Lighthouse Board. Retrieved 11 May 2016
- ^ The lighthouse Archived 2 November 2006 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Rattray Head Lighthouse Archived 21 October 2007 at the Wayback Machine
External links
edit- Northern Lighthouse Board
- Rattray Head in the Gazetteer for Scotland
- Panorama of Rattray Head Lighthouse (QuickTime required)
57°36′43″N 1°49′27″W / 57.61187°N 1.82425°W
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