Scotland

The Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) has provided a vital safety service to mariners since 1786 and is responsible for the superintendence and management of all lights, buoys and beacons within Scottish and Isle of Man waters. The service makes a significant contribution to the prevention of accidents and incidents around the coastline, safeguarding not only lives and property, but also protecting our precious marine environment. 

NLB currently operates and maintains 208 lighthouses and 174 buoys as well as providing radio aids to navigation (AtoN). The organisation is also responsible for ensuring other AtoN providers such as port authorities, are conforming to international standards. NLB’s two ships PHAROS and POLE STAR carry out buoy work, deliver stores and supplies to lighthouses, inspect third party aids to navigation in Scottish waters, and are on standby to respond to wrecks and new navigational dangers. 

Many of the lighthouses built in Scotland were engineered by the famous Stevenson family, who for over 150 years constructed wonders of engineering that have withstood the test of time and the elements, an amazing historical achievement. 

The Northern Lighthouse Board is proud of its rich heritage and history and there are currently five lighthouses that are open to the public. The sites offer visitors a range of experiences from climbing the lighthouse and seeing how lighthouse keepers lived to discovering the technology used in lighthouses today and finding out about the importance of Scotland’s maritime and lighthouse heritage.