Kinnaird Head Castle Lighthouse

The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses and Kinnaird Head Castle and Lighthouse are based in the bustling fishing port of Fraserburgh on the North East corner of Aberdeenshire. It’s all here; a Castle a Lighthouse and a museum. Kinnaird head castle is the only castle in the world to have a lighthouse built right through its heart, truly unique! The lighthouse at Kinnaird Head was the first to be built by the Northern Lighthouse Board engineers on mainland Scotland. The light was first lit in 1787 and Scotland’s first lightkeeper, Mr James Park, was employed. Kinnaird Head Castle and the adjacent Wine Tower are two of the best preserved structures of the ancient “nine castles of the knuckle” situated alongside the Buchan coast. The 16th century castle was built by the Frasers of Philorth to demonstrate dominance and power over their planned town of Fraserburgh. Falling out of fashion, the castle was sold to the Northern Lighthouse Board in 1787 to be converted into Scotland’s first mainland lighthouse, making Kinnaird Head unique among Scotland’s castles. This is the only dedicated lighthouse museum in Europe so don’t miss it, you’ll love it and we’d love to see you. If you are lucky you may just see some wonderful marine wildlife on your visit! Check out our website for ticketing options and opening times.

Alongside the castle and lighthouse sits the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses which houses the national collection of lighthouse lenses, objects and archival material. The museum tells many stories including that of the Northern Lighthouse Board, The Stevenson Engineers, Fresnel Lenses and the dedicated lightkeepers who tended them for decades, saving countless lives. The story tells of skill, courage, technical genius and a brilliant organisation saving the lives of thousands of mariners since 1787.

Your visit to the museum includes a self-guided tour of the museum to see some stunning Fresnel lenses, some weighing upwards of two tonnes and some fantastic exhibitions, then hop on a guided tour of the castle and lighthouse which is included in the ticket price.