Eilean Musdile facts for kids
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| The lighthouse on Eilean Musdile from the Oban to Craignure ferry. | |
| Location | Eilean Musdile Firth of Lorn Scotland |
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| Coordinates | 56°27′20.1″N 5°36′26.6″W / 56.455583°N 5.607389°W |
| Year first constructed | 1833 |
| Automated | June 1965 |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern attached to 1-storey keepe's house |
| Markings / pattern | white tower and lantern, ochre trim |
| Height | 26 metres (85 ft) |
| Focal height | 31 metres (102 ft) |
| Intensity | 71,000 candela |
| Range | 17 miles (27 km) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 10s. |
| Admiralty number | A4170 |
| NGA number | 4072 |
| ARLHS number | SCO-121 |
Eilean Musdile (pronounced EE-lan MOOS-dil-eh), also known as Mansedale, is a small island or islet. It is located southwest of Lismore in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. This tiny island is home to the historic Lismore Lighthouse, which has guided ships for many years.
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What is Eilean Musdile Like?
Eilean Musdile is a low-lying rock that covers about 10 acres (4 hectares). It has some grass growing on it. The island sits right at the entrance to Loch Linnhe, a long sea loch. A narrow stretch of water, about a quarter of a mile wide, separates it from the larger island of Lismore.
Ferries Passing By
If you take a CalMac ferry from Oban to Mull, you will pass very close to Eilean Musdile. It's a great spot to see the lighthouse up close from the water.
Building the Lismore Lighthouse
The Lismore Lighthouse was built in 1833. It was designed by the famous Scottish engineer Robert Stevenson. He was known for building many lighthouses in Scotland. The lighthouse cost about £4,260 to build, which was a lot of money back then!
How the Light Worked
When it first started operating, the lighthouse showed a steady white light. Over time, lighthouse technology improved. By 1910, most lighthouses run by the Northern Lighthouse Board (the group in charge of lighthouses in Scotland) were updated. They began using special lenses called Fresnel lenses to make the light brighter and more focused.
However, Lismore Lighthouse and another one called Fidra were unique. They kept their original "catoptric" system. This meant they used mirrors to reflect the light, instead of the newer lenses. They were the last lighthouses in the service to rely purely on this older method.
Lighthouse Automation
In June 1965, the Lismore Lighthouse became automated. This means that people no longer needed to live at the lighthouse to operate it. Machines took over the job, making it more efficient.
An Ancient Standing Stone
Before the lighthouse was built, there was an ancient standing stone on the highest point of Eilean Musdile. This tall stone, about 9 feet (2.7 meters) high, might have been used to mark the midwinter sunset. It is believed that this important historical stone was removed when the lighthouse was constructed.
Nearby Lady's Rock
A short distance southwest of Eilean Musdile is a small, rocky islet called Lady's Rock.
