I have been meaning to take some pictures of Buchan Ness Lighthouse for some time, but I have never got round to it until today. 

Two things came together to spur me into action.  The first was that I have agreed to speak on the subject of “Light” at the Cruden Parish Church “Messy Church” meeting this week and I thought a picture of our nearest lighthouse would fit in well.  The second was that as I drove to Peterhead this morning the sun was shining, the sea was blue and there was a lovely clear sky.

I did not have long but I managed to take a few pictures from the village of Boddam and from the main road beside Stirling Hill Quarry. Then I decided to try to take a couple of pictures after dark to see the light in action.

The idea of a lighthouse on Buchan Ness was first raised in 1819 but it was not until 1827 that the light started to shine.  Robert Stevenson, Engineer to the Board (also grandfather of Robert Louis Stevenson) surveyed the area and decided on the present position beside the village of Boddam. The red bands were added in 1907 to make it more visible in daylight.

 [More information about the lighthouse can be found on the Northern Lighthouse Board Website:]

  I have often watched waves breaking on the island where the lighthouse stands as I drive along the road to Peterhead.  Now that I have taken the plunge, so to speak, I am sure that I will be back to try to find the best angle for a picture.  But as always, the light and the tide have to be right, and if I want to catch the breakers, the wind too.