Sumburgh Head Lighthouse facts for kids
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 Sumburgh Head Lighthouse
Location in Shetland
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| Location | Sumburgh Head Shetland Scotland |
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| Coordinates | 59°51′15″N 1°16′29″W / 59.854053°N 1.274585°W |
| Year first constructed | 1821 |
| Automated | 1991 |
| Construction | masonry tower |
| Tower shape | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern |
| Markings / pattern | white tower, black lantern, ochre trim |
| Height | 17 metres (56 ft) |
| Focal height | 91 metres (299 ft) |
| Range | 23 nautical miles (43 km; 26 mi) |
| Characteristic | Fl (3) W 30s. |
| Admiralty number | A3766 |
| NGA number | 3320 |
| ARLHS number | SCO-232 |
The Sumburgh Head Lighthouse is a famous lighthouse located on Sumburgh Head. This is at the very southern tip of the Mainland of Shetland, an island group in Scotland. Lighthouses like this one help ships find their way safely, especially in bad weather or at night.
History of the Lighthouse
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The Sumburgh Head Lighthouse was built by a famous engineer named Robert Stevenson in 1821. It's the oldest lighthouse in all of Shetland!
For many years, from 1906 to 1987, the lighthouse also had a loud foghorn. This foghorn could turn to point in different directions. It was put in place after a ship called the Royal Victoria was lost in 1864. Before the foghorn, there was a fog bell. This old bell now hangs in the church at Dunrossness.
Modern Changes and Restoration
In 1991, the lighthouse light was made automatic. This meant that lighthouse keepers were no longer needed to live there. Their houses were then changed into holiday homes for visitors.
The old foghorn was fixed up in 2015 and now sounds on special occasions. The lighthouse area is also home to offices for the RSPB. This group looks after the bird reserve that surrounds the lighthouse, protecting many different kinds of birds.
The Northern Lighthouse Board is in charge of keeping the light working. The Shetland Amenity Trust owns the land and buildings. They plan to make the lighthouse facilities even better and build a special visitor centre. The Sumburgh Head Lighthouse is a very important building and is protected as a category A listed building.
