Museum of Scottish Lighthouses

Kinnaird Head was the first lighthouse to be built by the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1787 and the only lighthouse to be built on top of a fortified castle. In 1824, the lighthouse was reconstructed inside Kinnaird Castle by Robert Stevenson, engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board. Decommissioned in 1991, and maintained for the nation, with the help of Historic Scotland and Scotland’s Lighthouse Museum Trust, the original lighthouse and engine room are now preserved as they were the day the last keeper left. The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses boasts the largest and best collection of lighthouse lenses and equipment in the UK. Discover the unique story of the Stevenson family, lighthouse engineers to the world, in the Stevenson Gallery and the multi-screen audiovisual which tells the story of the lighthouse service in Scotland.

School Visits

Planning your visit is important and we are here to help.

The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses is a great place for teacher-led school groups. The four capacities are encapsulated in the lighthouse experience and we provide a cultural experience entitlement.

Below are some ideas to think about the changing role of lighthouses.

• Why do we still need lighthouses?
• Lighthouses have always used new technology. What do you think the new technology in lighthouses will be in 200 years' time?