The loss of sixteen vessels in the Moray Firth storm of November 1826 brought many applications for lights on Tarbat Ness or the Covesea Skerries. 

            The former was given priority as it was regarded by the Caledonian Canal Commissioners as being important to that undertaking.  The canal, which runs for some 56 miles from Inverness to Fort William, follows the Great Glen Fault which rarely exceeds  half mile wide at any point.

         The light, details shown above, was engineered by Robert Stevenson and the light was first exhibited on 26th. January, 1830. 

            James Smith of Inverness was the contractor responsible for it being built. 

            The lighthouse is the third tallest in Scotland ( North Ronaldsay and Skerryvore being taller ) and bears two distinguishing broad horizontal red bands.

            The navigation light originally was an Argand Paraffin Lamp with four burners until 1907 when it was changed to an incandescent pressurised lamp with 55mm mantles.  The lightroom machine in use at the present time was installed in 1892 and remained in use until automation in  1985.  The lens and machine are now on show at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.

            Earthquake shocks were sometimes reported and Tarbat Ness once shook so that the shades and lamp glasses rattled

            According to Highland folklore, the site of the lighthouse was used as a meeting place for witches and covens and prior to that it was used as a Roman Fort

            Most of the Tarbat Ness peninsula is farmland,  but it remains an attractive amenity area, and an asset of East(er) Ross.  It has geographical and ornithological significance.  The geological interest lies chiefly within the foreshore stretch between Rockfield and the lighthouse, especially east of Wilkhaven Farm.  The sedimentary structures in the Upper Old Red Sandstone, intertidal weathering in calciferous rock and deeply weathered rock are well displayed here.  There are also Jurassic outliers on the shore. 

           Oyster plants and other interesting coastal plants occur.  Tarbat Ness is the stopping-off point for migratory birds during the autumn migration.  It is of special interest for the observation of seabird passage through the Moray Firth, and Manx and Sooty shearwaters, great arctic and pomarine skuas as well as other seabirds may be seen.  There are considerable falls of Scandinavian migrants, including redwing, meadow pipit and wheatear.

           The engineer Robert Stevenson was born on the 8th June, 1771 in Glasgow and died on 12th July, 1850.  He was appointed Engineer on the death of his step-father, Thomas Smith, who had been appointed Engineer in January. 1787.   Thomas Smith had been a whiteironsmith and manufacturer of lamps in Edinburgh prior to his appointment.

           Robert Stevenson was responsible. in the years between 1808 and 1842,for the erection of at least 15 major Lighthouses.  The one which turned out to be the most important work of his life and one which undoubtedly of notable engineering achievement,  was the Bell Rock or Inchcape Lighthouse lying some 12 miles off the Angus coast.

          My thanks to the Northern Lighthouse Board for their help in providing these interesting facts

Motto:             "In Salutem Omnium"    For the Safety of All