West pier lighthouse

A trip to Kirkwall for supplies.

We are doing this now, once a fortnight, and it feels like a major expedition - it's carefully and thoughtfully planned, nothing must be forgotten, and the best bit is arriving back home.

A highlight, though, was an opportunity for a different walk.

I've often been close by this lighthouse but never paid it much attention.

It was designed by Thomas Telford and built in 1854 - a 20' high, cast iron tower with hexagonal lantern top.
Interestingly, I've read that it is an example of the early use of cast iron for a lighthouse, a material that became more popular in 1870s and '80s.

The lighthouse was taken out of service in 1994 and moved from the head of the main pier to its present position on the inner west pier.

It sounds as if it was an impressive sight in its heyday, with a 15' lattice cast iron pyramid superstructure, complete with flagstaff. For good measure, its lantern platform used to be decorated at the five corners with corbels in the form of seaman's heads.

So it's a bit plainer now than it used to be, but I still rather like it.