Eilean Glas Lighthouse

Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom

Eilean Glas Lighthouse was one of the original four lights commissioned by the Commissioners of the Northern Lights, and the first in the Hebrides. These lighthouses were built by Thomas Smith. Eilean Glas light was first displayed in 1789. The original tower was replaced in 1824 by Smith's stepson Robert Stevenson. In 1852 the light was changed to a revolving system lens. The lighthouse was an early candidate for automation and this was carried out in 1978. Several of the original buildings have been sold off. The fog signal was discontinued in the 1980s although the horn remains place as a decoration.

The 30-metre tower is painted with two distinctive broad red bands. Light is now from catoptric sealed beam lamps, mounted on a gear less pedestal.

References:

    Comments

    Your name


    Address

    Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom
    See all sites in Outer Hebrides

    Details

    Founded: 1787
    Category:

    More Information

    en.wikipedia.org
    www.nlb.org.uk

    Rating

    4.7/5 (based on Google user reviews)

    Interesting Sites Nearby


    Callanish Stones (38,4 km)
    Dunvegan Castle (45,5 km)
    Callanish II (37,9 km)
    Howmore Chapel (75,9 km)
    Dun Carloway Broch (46,7 km)
    St. Clement's Church (23 km)
    Callanish III (38 km)
    Lews Castle (42 km)
    Kisimul Castle (112,6 km)

    User Reviews

    peter kwas (3 years ago)
    Spectacular views and path to the lighthouse. Certainly worth a visit, great for spotting whales too.
    Karen Messenger (3 years ago)
    Would love to know more history to this place , and hope it not left it get anymore dilapidated
    Steve White (3 years ago)
    Farthest point in to the Minch on Scalpay and a great walk to a couple of secluded bays good for whale and porpoise watching. Sadly they didn't come out for us although the seals did.
    russell hamilton (3 years ago)
    Great walk and much more to see than you might expect. Totally worth the visit.
    Linda Moyes (3 years ago)
    Nice walk along well made path and interesting to see the lighthouse and ancillary buildings. Fantastic views and nice wee bothy close by with information about the lighthouse
    Powered by Google

    Featured Historic Landmarks, Sites & Buildings

    History of Guernsey & Jersey
    Photo from Flickr, copyright twiga-swala

    Historic Site of the week

    Heraclea Lyncestis

    Heraclea Lyncestis was an ancient Greek city in Macedon, ruled later by the Romans. It was founded by Philip II of Macedon in the middle of the 4th century BC. The city was named in honor of the mythological hero Heracles. The name Lynkestis originates from the name of the ancient kingdom, conquered by Philip, where the city was built.

    Heraclea was a strategically important town during the Hellenistic period, as it was at the edge of Macedon"s border with Epirus to the west and Paeonia to the north, until the middle of the 2nd century BC, when the Romans conquered Macedon and destroyed its political power. The main Roman road in the area, Via Egnatia went through Heraclea, and Heraclea was an important stop. The prosperity of the city was maintained mainly due to this road.

    The Roman emperor Hadrian built a theatre in the center of the town, on a hill, when many buildings in the Roman province of Macedonia were being restored. It began being used during the reign of Antoninus Pius. Inside the theatre there were three animal cages and in the western part a tunnel. The theatre went out of use during the late 4th century AD, when gladiator fights in the Roman Empire were banned, due to the spread of Christianity, the formulation of the Eastern Roman Empire, and the abandonment of, what was then perceived as, pagan rituals and entertainment.

    Late Antiquity and Byzantine periods

    In the early Byzantine period (4th to 6th centuries AD) Heraclea was an important episcopal centre. A small and a great basilica, the bishop"s residence, and a funerary basilica and the necropolis are some of the remains of this period. Three naves in the Great Basilica are covered with mosaics of very rich floral and figurative iconography; these well preserved mosaics are often regarded as fine examples of the early Christian art period.

    The city was sacked by Ostrogoth/Visigoth forces, commanded by Theodoric the Great in 472 AD and again in 479 AD. It was restored in the late 5th and early 6th century. When an earthquake struck in 518 AD, the inhabitants of Heraclea gradually abandoned the city. Subsequently, at the eve of the 7th century, the Dragovites, a Slavic tribe pushed down from the north by the Avars, settled in the area. The last coin issue dates from ca. 585, which suggests that the city was finally captured by the Slavs. As result, in place of the deserted city theatre several huts were built.

    The Episcopacy Residence was excavated between 1970 and 1975. The western part was discovered first and the southern side is near the town wall. The luxury rooms are located in the eastern part. The 2nd, 3rd and 4th rooms all have mosaic floors. Between the 3rd and 4th rooms there is a hole that led to the eastern entrance of the residence. The hole was purposefully created between the 4th and 6th century.

    Map Top Sights Tags Historical Periods City Guides About Us Sign Up Upload new site
    © 2021 SpottingHistory.com. All rights reserved.