Start Point Lighthouse
| Start Point Lighthouse | |||
| Sanday | |||
 Start Point Lighthouse | |||
| Location | |||
| Grid reference: | HY78684350 | ||
| Location: | 59°16’39"N, 2°22’33"W | ||
| Characteristics | |||
| Height: | 82 feet | ||
| Tower shape: | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern | ||
| Tower marking: | white and black vertical stripes tower, black lantern, ochre trim | ||
| Light: | Fl (2) W 20s. | ||
| Focal height: | 79 feet | ||
| Range: | 24 nautical miles | ||
| Admiralty No.: | A3718 | ||
| History | |||
| Built 1870 | |||
| First lit: | 1870 | ||
| Information | |||
| Owned by: | Northern Lighthouse Board | ||
Start Point Lighthouse stands on Start Point, the easternmost headland or tidal island of Sanday in Orkney.
The first lighthouse here was completed on 2 October 1806 by engineer Thomas Smith. It was the first lighthouse of the Northern Lighthouse Board to have a clockwork-driven revolving parabolic reflector creating a sweeping beam. The reflector was later replaced by a Fresnel lens.
In 1870 the lighthouse was rebuilt.
Since 1915, the Start Point Lighthouse has been painted by distinctive black and white vertical stripes which are unique in the north. The light was automated in 1962 and is powered by a bank of 36 solar panels.
Despite the presence of the lighthouse, HMS Goldfinch was wrecked in fog on Start Point in 1915.
References
- Start Point The Lighthouse Directory. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Start Point: Northern Lighthouse Board
