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South Queensferry Lighthouse

🇬🇧City of Edinburgh, GBOperational

Location & Light Range

About South Queensferry Lighthouse

Built in 1812, this hexagonal stone structure is 5 meters in height and is located on the south bank of the Firth of Forth. Designed by John Rennie, the unpainted tower originally included a lantern but lacked a gallery. It served as a marker for the former ferry terminal west of the Forth Road Bridge, near Hawes Pier in the City of Edinburgh. The lighthouse ceased operation in 1877, replaced by a light at Hawes Pier.

Why it matters: This lighthouse provides a direct link to the ferry services that were central to the South Queensferry area prior to the construction of modern bridges.

Tower & Structure

Tower Height
5m
Tower Shape
hexagonal
Tower Color
unpainted
Material
stone

Structure: hexagonal stone tower with lantern but no gallery; unpainted

Location

City
City of Edinburgh
Country
🇬🇧United Kingdom
Region
Scotland
Sea Region
Firth of Forth, guiding ferries crossing the Firth, near the foot of the Hawes Pier, at the old ferry terminal on the south bank of the Firth just west of the Forth Road Bridge
Latitude
55.9907°
Longitude
-3.3853°

Nearby Vessels

Flag
Type
Name
Dist.

Construction & History

Year Built
1812

Significant events: Inactive since 1877, discontinued in favor of the Hawes Pier light

References & Identifiers

Nearest Port
Hawes(0.1 km)
ARLHS No.
SCO-328
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Frequently Asked Questions

Which ports and harbors does South Queensferry Lighthouse guide vessels into?+
South Queensferry Lighthouse assists vessels approaching 5 nearby ports. The closest is Hawes at 0.1 NM to the NW. Other ports served include QUEENSFERRY (0.4 NM W), South Queensferry (0.9 NM WNW), North Queensferry (1.1 NM NNW), Port Edgar (1.1 NM WSW). Mariners should consult the relevant chart for full approach and pilotage information.
Is South Queensferry Lighthouse still active and maintained?+
Yes, South Queensferry 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 South Queensferry Lighthouse?+
South Queensferry 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 South Queensferry Lighthouse?+
You can track vessels near South Queensferry 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.