Dennis Head Old Beacon facts for kids
| Construction | stone tower |
|---|---|
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower and no lantern |
| Markings / pattern | unpainted tower |
The Dennis Head Old Beacon is a historic, ruined lighthouse located on the island of North Ronaldsay. This island is part of the Orkney islands in Scotland. The old beacon tower and the houses where its keepers lived are now protected as a scheduled monument. This means they are important historical sites.
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What is the Dennis Head Old Beacon?
This old lighthouse tower is about 70-foot (21 m) tall. It was finished in 1789. An engineer named Thomas Smith oversaw its building. His stepson, Robert Stevenson, helped him. This was one of the first lighthouses Smith built on an island. He had already worked on lights at Kinnaird Head and Mull of Kintyre.
How did the Old Beacon work?
The lighting system used at Dennis Head was quite advanced for its time. It had many oil-burning lamps and special reflectors. However, it wasn't always very effective. Sailors sometimes mistook the light for the mast of another ship. This could be confusing and dangerous for them.
Why was the Old Beacon closed?
In 1809, new lighthouses were built nearby. Because of these new lights, the Dennis Head Old Beacon was no longer needed. So, its light was turned off. The round stone tower was kept as a "sea-mark." This means it still helped ships know where they were, even without a light.
Changes to the Tower
After the light was removed, the top part of the tower was changed. The original room where the light shone was replaced with a rounded roof. A unique ball-shaped decoration was placed on top. The stone spiral staircase inside the tower, which led up to the light, was taken down. The houses where the lighthouse keepers lived are still there below the tower. They don't have roofs anymore, but much of their original structure remains.
The Old Beacon on TV
The Dennis Head Old Beacon became famous in 2006. It was featured on a BBC television show called Restoration Village. The old beacon finished in third place in the show.
Nearby Lighthouse
A newer lighthouse, called the North Ronaldsay Lighthouse, was built close to the Old Beacon. It was completed in 1854.
