Ross Island Lighthouse

About Ross Island Lighthouse

The Lighthouse was built on Little Ross between 1813, when the “Topographical Dictionary of Scotland: and of the British Seas” by Nicholas Carlisle was first published, making a clear and concise case for the construction of a Lighthouse there, to early 1840 when approval from the Northern Lighthouse Board and Trinity House was finally obtained. It is a fascinating tale of petitions, politics, personalities, action and inaction, conflict and cooperation between Lighthouse Boards, mis-information and lobbying. All unfolding against a background of a growing number of vessel wrecks in the vicinity.

The lighthouse is well known due to the murder of the lighthouse keepers Hugh Clark by the relief keeper, 1960.