Southerness Lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse in Scotland, standing on the rocky shoreline of the Solway Firth.
The headland of Southerness was originally called Salters’ Ness when in the 12th century, it was an important area for salt-panning. The beach here is very rocky, and the tide was out a long way, but there are clear views across the Solway Firth to Cumbria and the Lake District.
Southerness Lighthouse was built as an unlit beacon in 1748 to guide vessels heading into the Nith estuary to Dumfries. Dumfries was an important port at that time, regularly trading with Liverpool and Ireland.
The square tower was lighted around 1800 and raised twice between 1842 and 1844, which may account for the tapered design at the top.
There appeared to have been financial difficulties between 1867 and 1894, and the tower was not lit during this time. It was finally decommissioned in 1931.
Behind the lighthouse is a raised piece of land with a concrete plinth on the foreshore. During the 1970s/80s, the former optic was mounted here. However, it has since been removed and safely relocated to the top of the lantern.
The lighthouse is now in the custody of the Lighthouse Leisure Caravan Park, and is occasionally open to the public.
There is a small row of cottages alongside the road, one named Lighthouse Cottage. This may have been one of the former keepers’ cottages, but I have not been able to confirm this to date.
In the village of Southerness, the golf club and caravan park both use the distinctive lighthouse as part of their branding. The village has an obviously proud connection with the beacon.
