Little Ross facts for kids
 |
|
| Gypsy point looking over to Little Ross Island, showing its two lighthouses | |
 Little Ross Lighthouse
Range Rear Location in Scotland
|
|
| Location | Little Ross Island Kirkcudbright Dumfries and Galloway Scotland United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 54°45′56″N 4°05′05″W / 54.765671°N 4.084695°W |
| Year first constructed | 1843 |
| Automated | 1961 |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern attached to 1-storey keeper’s house |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, black lantern, ochre trim |
| Height | 22 metres (72 ft) |
| Focal height | 50 metres (160 ft) |
| Characteristic | Fl W 5s. |
| Admiralty number | A4634 |
| NGA number | 4828 |
| ARLHS number | SCO-125 |
Little Ross is a small island, about 29 acres in size, located off the coast of Kirkcudbright in Galloway, Scotland. It's part of the beautiful Solway Coast. Near Little Ross, you'll find Meikle Ross on the mainland, which is a piece of land sticking out into the sea. There are also two small rocks nearby called Sugarloaf and Fox Craig. The only ways to reach the island are by private boat or helicopter. The island gets all its electricity from solar panels and a small wind turbine, as it's not connected to the main power grid.
Contents
Building the Little Ross Lighthouse
The lighthouse on Little Ross Island was built in 1843. It was designed by Alan Stevenson, a famous lighthouse engineer. This lighthouse was important because it helped fill a gap between other lighthouses. These included the ones at the Mull of Galloway and Southerness. The Little Ross Lighthouse stands about 66 feet (20 meters) tall.
Life at the Lighthouse
In the early 1900s, the island was a busy place. It was home to the head lighthouse keeper and an underkeeper. Their families also lived there, making a total of about 16 people. To help feed everyone, the island had a small dairy farm and a piggery. This meant they could produce some of their own food.
Modern Lighthouse Operations
The Little Ross Lighthouse was operated by people until 1960. After that, it became automated in 1961. This means machines took over the job of keeping the light running. Today, the lighthouse is managed by the Commissioners for Northern Lighthouses. They visit regularly to make sure everything is working correctly. As mentioned, the island still relies on solar panels and a small wind turbine for power.
Little Ross Island for Sale
In July 2017, Little Ross Island was put up for sale. It was listed for £325,000 GBP. This price was similar to what you might pay for a two-bedroom apartment in Edinburgh. The sale included a six-bedroom cottage, which is a historic building. However, the lighthouse itself was not part of the sale. The property also came with three old barns and a courtyard. It's rare for private islands with houses to be available at such a price.
