First new Scottish lighthouse for 11 years to protect Fort William cruise ships

A new lighthouse is being built at the Corran Narrows on Loch Linnhe to enable larger cruise ships to safely reach the West Highland town.
The new lighthouse will look similar to Cailleach Head lighthouse at Scoraig near Ullapool. Picture: Northern Lighthouse BoardThe new lighthouse will look similar to Cailleach Head lighthouse at Scoraig near Ullapool. Picture: Northern Lighthouse Board
The new lighthouse will look similar to Cailleach Head lighthouse at Scoraig near Ullapool. Picture: Northern Lighthouse Board

The 5.5m (18ft) high aluminium tower will help the vessels safely navigate the channel used by the Corran Ferry, using solar-powered lights.

It is the first lighthouse to be constructed since one at Corran Narrows North East in 2009.

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The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), which runs 206 lighthouses across Scotland and the Isle of Man, said the work at Rubha Cuil-Cheanna, near Corran Point, was due to be complete next March.

Construction materials flown to the Corran Narrows site by helicopter. Picture: Northern Lighthouse BoardConstruction materials flown to the Corran Narrows site by helicopter. Picture: Northern Lighthouse Board
Construction materials flown to the Corran Narrows site by helicopter. Picture: Northern Lighthouse Board

NLB project lead Alastair Rae said: “In recent years there has been an increase in the number of larger cruise vessels who wish to include Fort William on their itinerary.

"As its name suggests, the Corran Narrows is a narrow channel with strong tidal streams which together present additional challenges for navigation.

“We improved the marking of this channel for northbound vessels about three years ago, with extra precision lighting on the port entry light at Corran North East.

"The new lighthouse will guide southbound traffic exiting Fort William and will use the same LED technology as Corran North East.

“We’re excited this new lighthouse will make a big difference to the cruise industry.”

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The NLB said the scheme was developed in consultation with NatureScot, Scotland’s nature agency as it lies within the Onich and North Ballachulish Woods and Shore site of special scientific interest, which is protected for its geology, woodland and fen.

It is also within a special area of conservation.

The lighthouse is being built by RS Merriman from Orkney, with JGC Engineering & Technical Services from Thurso fabricating the structure and manufacturing the electrical control cabinets.

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Hepburn Fabrication from Edinburgh has made the lantern pedestals and solar panel framework.

The NLB said the lighthouse had a rectangular rather than traditional circular design because it was cheaper to build.

Its spokesperson said: "It’s more cost effective to fabricate the structure using straight lengths of aluminium section.

"If it was cylindrical, the aluminium sections would need to be rolled to form a radius.

"A rectangular structure also provides more useable floor space.

"The room required for the electrical equipment can be condensed which reduces the overall size of the structure and construction cost."

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