Condition

6
Lighthouse/Beacon
Post-Medieval
90334
Edinburgh

Description

The lighthouse has been built at the southern end of Hawes Pier and is a six sided sandstone structure, c 10m high. The sandstone is very weathered. [Edit:] A hexagonal lighthouse, standing c.6m high, constructed of sandstone near the southern end of Hawes Pier. A category B listed building since 1971, it was built by the Scottish civil engineer John Rennie in 1812, probably in collaboration with Robert Stevenson of Bell Rock fame, and is contemporary with the pier itself (also a Rennie work). It is a decorative building with arches on each side, and the north and south arches have carved human heads at their tops. Much of the sandstone has been dressed to give it an excessively weathered appearance, with a pock-marked pattern covering the arches and base. This is seemingly deliberate distressing to give it a rusticated or at least a textured appearance, although the structure does show signs of natural weathering. The lantern, which may date from later in the 19th century, was most likely used primarily as a beacon to guide the ferry which operated between Hawes Pier and North Queensferry before being made redundant by the construction of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964. The lighthouse is no longer in use, and is now largely obscured by later buildings built close by to the north and south. There is a lighthouse which partnered it on the opposite pier in North Queensferry, built by the same architect c.1812. Note: Canmore record contains descriptions clearly referring to this lighthouse at the southern end of Hawes Pier, but the location on Canmore has been confused with the fixed beacon at the northern end.

Location

313678.00
678395.00
27700
55.9907227
-3.3853357

Submitted photographs

Image Date Caption User
Lighthouse and Hawes Pier, showing buildings and pier wall 21/03/2014 Lighthouse and Hawes Pier, showing buildings and pier wall Laurens
Lighthouse and Hawes Pier, showing buildings and pier wall
Lighthouse from SW, showing southern carved head 21/03/2014 Lighthouse from SW, showing southern carved head Laurens
Lighthouse from SW, showing southern carved head
Detail of carved head in the northern arch 21/03/2014 Detail of carved head in the northern arch Laurens
Detail of carved head in the northern arch
Lighthouse from NW, showing doorway and staircase 21/03/2014 Lighthouse from NW, showing doorway and staircase Laurens
Lighthouse from NW, showing doorway and staircase

Submitted updates

Update id Date User
1603 21/03/2014 Laurens
Tidal state Mid
Site located? Yes
Proximity to coast edge < 10m
Coastally eroding? not eroding
Coastal defence Yes
Threats structural damage/decay
Visibility above ground Highly visible (substantial remains)
Visibility in section Not visible
Access easily accessible - no restrictions; accessible on foot (footpath); vehicular access
Local knowledge is well known; is well visited; has local associations/history
Description The lighthouse has been built at the southern end of Hawes Pier and is a six sided sandstone structure, c 10m high. The sandstone is very weathered. Edit March 2014 A hexagonal lighthouse, standing c.6m high, constructed of sandstone near the southern end of Hawes Pier. A category B listed building since 1971, it was built by the Scottish civil engineer John Rennie in 1812, probably in collaboration with Robert Stevenson of Bell Rock fame, and is contemporary with the pier itself (also a Rennie work). It is a decorative building with arches on each side, and the north and south arches have carved human heads at their tops. Much of the sandstone has been dressed to give it an excessively weathered appearance, with a pock-marked pattern covering the arches and base. This is seemingly deliberate distressing to give it a rusticated or at least a textured appearance, although the structure does show signs of natural weathering. The lantern, which may date from later in the 19th century, was most likely used primarily as a beacon to guide the ferry which operated between Hawes Pier and North Queensferry before being made redundant by the construction of the Forth Road Bridge in 1964. The lighthouse is no longer in use, and is now largely obscured by later buildings built close by to the north and south. There is a lighthouse which partnered it on the opposite pier in North Queensferry, built by the same architect c.1812.
Comments The lighthouse is made of sandstone which is somewhat weathered, although this is made harder to assess by the deliberately distressed appearance of the dressed stone. This is above the HWM of Hawes Pier, which is built like a slipway and slopes down into the sea. It is protected from the sea by the pier itself, which still appears fairly strong. Although almost hidden from front and back by other buildings (all of which are in use, including the old and new RNLI stations), it is visible from either side and is seen by many who use or visit the pier. It is next to the most popular parking area for visitors to South Queensferry, and at all times of year this can be a busy area. The outside is always open to access, although the interior is closed.

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