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One of the newer Northern Lighthouse Board lights the Ve Skerries was difficult lighthouse build as it is located on a series of smooth rock approximately 1400 feet in diameter and at their highest point only eight feet above high water. It was decided to put a 42-foot tower on the rocks. (Position on the Nautical Chart is 60° 22.4' N and 01° 48.7' W) The materials for the lighthouse were brought by helicopter from a construction camp at Eshaness Lighthouse. (The now popular carpark between the Eshaness lighthouse and the world famous cliffs) was the helipad for this operation. Construction started on the light on 28 May 1979 and the light was first lit on 27 September 1979. The basic design for the lighthouse was the same used in Bell Rock, Skerryvore and Dubh Artach. The lantern for the facility was from the North Carr lighthouse vessel and had a nominal range of twelve miles. The night character of the light was 2 white flashes every 20 seconds.

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If you would like to know what it is like to buy a Scottish lighthouse then check out The Last Lighthouse.

You can find more articles in the archive under Lighthouse Beacons From Scotland.