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Leith East Breakwater Lighthouse

Oc Red 4s🇬🇧City of Edinburgh, GBOperational

Location & Light Range

About Leith East Breakwater Lighthouse

This octagonal stone tower, standing 4 meters tall, was constructed and first lit in 1937 at the end of the east breakwater pier in Leith Docks. It has a focal height of 7 meters and displays a red light with an occulting characteristic, showing one red flash every 4 seconds. The tower is painted white and features a red lantern. The lighthouse provides a navigational range of 9.3 nautical miles. While the site is open, the tower itself is closed to the public.

Why it matters: This lighthouse warns mariners of the eastern breakwater's presence, guiding vessels into the Leith Docks and preventing collisions with the structure.

Light & Optic

Characteristic Signature
Oc Red 4s
Flash Type
Occulting
Light Color
Red
Interval
4s
Raw Code
Oc R 4s
Focal Height
7m
Geographic Range
9.3NM

Construction & History

Year Built
1937

Visiting

Open to public
Site open, tower closed

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
4m
Tower Shape
octagonal
Tower Color
white with a red lantern
Material
stone

Structure: octagonal stone tower with lantern

Location

City
City of Edinburgh
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Region
Scotland
Sea Region
end of the east breakwater pier of the Leith Docks
Latitude
55.9913°
Longitude
-3.1824°

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Leith(0.4 km)
Admiralty No.
A2884
NGA No.
2368
ARLHS No.
SCO-080
Wikidata
Q116259487 →
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Frequently Asked Questions

How do mariners identify Leith East Breakwater Lighthouse at night?+
Leith East Breakwater displays the characteristic Oc Red 4s. 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 Leith East Breakwater Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
Leith East Breakwater Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Newhaven/Edinburgh at 0.5 NM to the S. Other ports served include Leith (0.7 NM SE), Granton (1.4 NM WSW), Edinburgh (2.6 NM SSW), Cramond (3.7 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is Leith East Breakwater Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, Leith 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 Leith East Breakwater Lighthouse?+
Leith 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 Leith East Breakwater Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near Leith 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.