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Granton East Breakwater Lighthouse

Fl Red 2s🇬🇧City of Edinburgh, GBOperational

Location & Light Range

About Granton East Breakwater Lighthouse

A square brick building, the Granton East Breakwater lighthouse stands 5 meters high and emits a red flash every two seconds. Built in the 1940s, it originally served as a lookout post during World War II before being adapted for navigational use. The structure is painted white and is located at the end of the east breakwater in Edinburgh. Its focal height is also 5 meters, and it has a geographic range of 8.4 nautical miles. The site is open to the public, allowing access to the lighthouse's base, though the tower itself remains closed.

Why it matters: This lighthouse is essential for guiding ships safely past the eastern breakwater into Granton Harbour. Its origin as a World War II lookout post adds a unique layer to its historical significance.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Fl Red 2s
Flash Type
Flashing
Light Color
Red
Interval
2s
Raw Code
Fl R 2s
Focal Height
5m
Geographic Range
8.4NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1940

Significant events: built as lookout post during World War II

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
5m
Tower Shape
square
Tower Color
white
Material
brick

Structure: square brick building, painted white

Location

City
City of Edinburgh
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Region
Scotland
Sea Region
end of the east breakwater at Granton
Latitude
55.9879°
Longitude
-3.2207°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Granton(0.1 km)
Admiralty No.
A2904
NGA No.
2380
ARLHS No.
SCO-332
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Granton East Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Granton East Breakwater displays the characteristic Fl Red 2s. 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 red color may indicate a specific sector or warning zone.
Which ports and harbors does Granton East Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Granton East Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Granton at 0.3 NM to the SSW. Other ports served include Newhaven/Edinburgh (1.3 NM ESE), Leith (1.7 NM ESE), Edinburgh (2.4 NM SSE), Cramond (2.5 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Granton East Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Granton East Breakwater 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.
What shipping routes pass near Granton East Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Granton East Breakwater Lighthouse is located within the English Channel / North Sea corridor — one of the world's busiest maritime corridors connecting the Atlantic to Northern European ports. This makes it an important navigation reference for commercial shipping traffic in the region.
How can I track vessels near Granton East Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Granton East Breakwater 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.