Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse and Museum — Attraction in Scotland

THE 16TH-CENTURY KINNAIRD CASTLE WAS CONVERTED IN 1787 FOR USE AS THE KINNAIRD HEAD/CASTLE LIGHTHOUSE, THE FIRST LIGHTHOUSE IN SCOTLAND TO BE LIT BY THE COMMISSIONERS OF NORTHERN LIGHTS WHO BUILT MANY MORE ON SCOTLAND'S COASTLINE OVER THE NEXT 200 YEARS OR SO. IT WAS INSTALLED BY A MR THOMAS SMITH FROM EDINBURGH, WHO WAS THE FATHER-IN-LAW OF ROBERT STEVENSON WHO SUCCEEDED HIM AS ENGINEER TO THE NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD (ROBERT STEVENSON WAS GRANDFATHER OF THE AUTHOR ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON). A LANTERN WAS SET ON A CORNER OF A TOWER OF THE OLD CASTLE IN FRASERBURGH OWNED BY LORD SALTOUN. THE LIGHTS IN THOSE DAYS WERE FIXED, USING ARRAYS OF LAMPS BURNING WHALE OIL, EACH OF THEM BACKED BY ITS OWN PARABOLIC REFLECTOR MADE UP OF A MULTITUDE OF FACETS OF SILVERED MIRROR-GLASS SET ON A PLASTER MOULD. KINNAIRD HEAD WAS THE MOST POWERFUL LIGHT OF ITS TIME, AND CONTAINED 17 REFLECTORS ARRANGED IN 3 HORIZONTAL TIERS. IN CLEAR WEATHER, THE LIGHT COULD BE SEEN 12 TO 14 MILES AWAY. THE STRUCTURE WAS REBUILT IN 1824 WHEN INTERNAL ALTERNATIONS WERE MADE TO THE TOWER TO ACCOMMODATE A NEW LANTERN AND ADDITIONAL BUILDINGS WERE CONSTRUCTED FOR THE LIGHTKEEPERS. DURING WORLD WAR II, FRASERBURGH WAS KNOWN AS "LITTLE LONDON" BECAUSE OF THE HEAVY BOMBING AND MACHINE-GUN ATTACKS ON THE TOWN DUE TO THE AMMUNITIONS MANUFACTURE AND WORK CARRIED OUT ON ROLLS ROYCE AIRCRAFT ENGINES. DESPITE THAT, THE LIGHTHOUSE WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY DAMAGED BY A NEAR MISS. THE PRESENT LIGHTHOUSE IS A NEW BUILDING CREATED IN 1991 AT THIS STAGE IT WAS AUTOMATED AND THE ORIGINAL BUILDING NOW HOUSES THE MUSEUM OF SCOTTISH LIGHTHOUSES. THIS INCORPORATES THE ORIGINAL LIGHTHOUSE AND A MODERN BUILDING HOUSING COLLECTIONS OF LENSES AND OTHER ARTEFACTS FROM MANY LIGHTHOUSES ACROSS SCOTLAND. IT IS NOW LISTED AS A BUILDING OF ARCHITECTURAL/HISTORICAL INTEREST BY HISTORIC SCOTLAND. THE FOGHORN BESIDE THE NEW LIGHTHOUSE IS NO LONGER...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Unique Blend of Castle and Lighthouse — Truly One of a Kind!

Kinnaird Head Castle & Lighthouse in Fraserburgh is an absolute must-visit if you’re anywhere near Aberdeenshire. What makes this place truly special is that it’s a castle converted into a lighthouse — a rare combination that you won’t find anywhere else in Scotland, or maybe even the world.

The experience starts with a warm welcome at the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, which is right next to the castle. I highly recommend joining the guided tour — the guides are passionate and extremely knowledgeable. You’ll learn how lighthouse keepers lived, how the old light mechanisms worked, and get to see one of the best-preserved lighthouse lenses still intact. The climb to the top of the lighthouse rewards you with panoramic views of the North Sea and Fraserburgh Harbour — definitely bring your camera or phone!

The museum also has a fascinating collection of lighthouse equipment, models, and maritime artifacts. It’s very family-friendly, and you can explore both indoors and outdoors. The site is clean, well-maintained, and not overly crowded, which made the visit even more enjoyable.

📸 Photo tip: Try to visit during golden hour for the best light over the sea and castle. The view from the top platform is ideal for wide landscape shots.

Highly recommended for history lovers, architecture fans, or anyone who appreciates Scotland’s coastal charm. It’s a hidden gem on the northeast coast that deserves...

This is a castle turned lighthouse. The tour of the lighthouse included explanation of the different sections of the lighthouse plus climbing up the spiral stairs all the way to the top of the lighthouse. The view from there was spectacular. The museum of Scottish lighthouses is next-door. Fascinating history and facts about Scotland’s lighthouses. The most interesting facts to me was to learn about the lighthouse keepers job and how much responsibility and concentration was required. There is a visitor center with plenty of souvenirs to choose from. Restaurants and coffee shops are nearby in Fraserburgh. I highly...