Rubha Rèidh Lighthouse

A lighthouse on Rubha Rèidh Point was first proposed by David Stevenson in 1853. Building was started by his son, David Alan Stevenson in 1908 and the light was first lit on 15 January 1912. The light came from a paraffin lamp, subsequently converted to electricity and automated in 1986. The original lens, red fog siren trumpet, along with its clockwork timing mechanism were removed and were donated to the Gairloch heritage centre.

It's great to see that the lighthouse at Rubha Rèidh is once again accessible to the general public without them having to run a gauntlet of abuse from the previous owners. The lighthouse was bought by a couple and turned in to holiday accommodation in the early 2000s. They immediately started to stop people from using the road out of Melvaig by putting a sign up saying that it was private property and only to be used by guests of the lighthouse and I believe they also put a couple of gates across the road. This meant that anyone who wanted to visit the stunning coastal scenery of the area were faced with a four mile walk in before they even started and then a four mile walk back out.

Locals and visitors alike took up the cause to get access to the peninsula but it turned out to be a long fight with neither the police or council wanting to get involved although the Highland Council did eventually get involved and gave the owners the ultimatum of either giving access or facing court proceedings. The old owners finally left a year or so ago and the new ones seem to be a lot more amiable. There is now a small car park and even though you are not allowed on to the private land of the lighthouse, you are allowed to freely roam without fear of abuse.

The scenery is stunning with lots of small rocky coves and even a one-time natural harbour called Port an Amaill. Most of the rock cliffs slant down to the sea hence its Gaelic name Rubha Rèidh which means The Flat Headland. We visited in sunshine and pretty calm weather but I would love to experience the place when it is in the grip of a full-on Atlantic storm!

As I said in the last blog, this was our last day in Wester Ross and I don't think we could have bettered it. The morning was spent on a beautiful white sandy beach with stunning views across to An Teallach and the Coigach and Assynt Hills whereas in contrast, the afternoon was spent on a rugged rocky headland with far-reaching views to Skye and The Outer Hebrides.

Pure magic.