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Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses Lighthouse

Fl White 15s🇬🇧GBOperational

Location & Light Range

About Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses Lighthouse

This stone lighthouse, built in 1804, stands on Inchkeith Island in the Firth of Forth. The cylindrical tower, 19 meters tall and 67 meters above sea level, is painted yellow brown with a black lantern. It was designed by Thomas Smith with assistance from Robert Stevenson. The Girdle Ness lighthouse lantern was transferred here in 1847, and its 1889 Fresnel lens was removed in 1985. The light emits a white flash every 15 seconds. Operation transferred to Forth Ports in 2013.

Why it matters: The lighthouse guards the entrance to the upper Firth of Forth and the approach to Edinburgh, making it essential for safe navigation in this busy estuary.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl White 15s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
White
Interval
15s
Raw Code
Fl W 15s
Focal Height
67m
Geographic Range
21NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1804

Significant events: The lantern of the Girdle Ness lighthouse at Aberdeen was transferred here in 1847, 2nd order Fresnel lens (1889) removed in 1985, Operation of the lighthouse was transferred from NLB to Forth Ports in 2013

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Pettycur(2.3 km)
Admiralty No.
A2912
NGA No.
2388
ARLHS No.
SCO-107

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
19m
Tower Shape
cylindrical
Tower Color
yellow brown, lantern black
Material
stone

Structure: round cylindrical stone tower with lantern and gallery rising from a 2-story stone keeper's house

Location

Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Region
Scotland
Sea Region
Inchkeith is an island in the middle of the Firth of Forth about 4 km (2.5 mi) southeast of the Fife coast east of Burntisland and about 6.5 km (4 mi) north of Leith. The island guards the entrance to the upper Firth of Forth and the approach to Edinburgh. Located at the summit of the island.
Latitude
56.0334°
Longitude
-3.1362°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses Lighthouse at night?+
Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses displays the characteristic Fl White 15s. Each lighthouse has a unique flash pattern published in the List of Lights, allowing mariners to positively identify it and distinguish it from other navigation aids in the area. The white color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Pettycur at 2.5 NM to the NW. Other ports served include Kinghorn (2.6 NM NNW), Leith (3.3 NM SSW), Newhaven/Edinburgh (3.4 NM SSW), Burntisland (3.6 NM WNW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses Lighthouse is currently operational. It is actively maintained and continues to emit its characteristic light signal for marine navigation. Most modern lighthouses are automated and monitored remotely by the national maritime authority.
How can I track vessels near Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Burntisland and Aberdour Area Lighthouses Lighthouse in real time using MarineRadar. The platform shows live AIS positions of ships in the area, including vessel name, type, flag, speed, and course. Use the "Track Vessels Nearby" button on this page to open the live map centered on this lighthouse.