Hoy Sound High and Low Lighthouses

Hoy Sound High and Low Lighthouses are located on the island of Graemsay, one of the smaller islands between Mainland Orkney and Hoy.

With the increase of the herring fishing industry in the 19th century came the need for improvements in navigational aids.  Thus, both Hoy Sound High and Low Lighthouses were constructed.

Hoy High Lighthouse is on the island’s northeastern side on the Taing of Sandside, and the Bay of Sandside is alongside.  The bay is shallow and rocky and the Skerry of Cletts is a dangerous offshore reef.

It was built in 1851 by Alan Stevenson and has his distinctive Egyptian style within the design.

The island has two low hills, East Hill and West Hill. Hoy Low Lighthouse is located on the summit of West Hill.  It marks the main channel into Scapa Flow. It is on the northwestern side, at Point of Oxan.  A coastal battery was built alongside the lighthouse during the Second World War.

Hoy Sound Low Lighthouse was also built in 1851 by Alan Stevenson.  The keepers’ cottages were one storey high. It was automated in 1966.

The optic from Hoy Low Lighthouse was removed and is on display at Stromness Museum.

The island of Graemsay can be accessed by boat from Kirkwall.