Start Point Lighthouse, Sanday, Orkney

Start Point lighthouse is found on a small tidal island on the Orcadian island of Sanday.  Located just beyond the bay at Scuthvie it is a reminder of the rocks and reefs that lay beyond the tranquil sandy beaches and undulating sand dunes that are a part of this small island.  Walking beyond the signs warning of coastal erosion eventually the causeway comes into view.  Isolating the lighthouse for half the day, gulls soar above surveying the intruders in their quiet home.

History

Start Point lighthouse started life as a beacon.  An unlit masonry tower marked the nearby reefs but was inadequate and ships continued to wreck around the shores of Sanday.  It was decided that the light from North Ronaldsay a few nautical miles away would be transferred to Start Point.

The ball from the original beacon was moved to North Ronalsday and is still there today. Robert Stevenson was an apprentice engineer on the building of the 23-metre-tall Start Point Lighthouse which was finally lit on 2nd October 1806.  The build was not without problems including the loss of all workmen (except for a cabin boy) when their ship “Stromness”  was wrecked near Flotta on their return to Leith in a storm.

Start Point Lighthouse

Start Point Lighthouse was the first Scottish lighthouse to have a revolving light which made it easy to distinguish from other nearby lighthouses which has 2 white flashes every 20 seconds. The lens is a 4th Order Fresnel lens, made from polished crystal glass lenses in a bronze support.  In 1915 it was painted with vertical black and white stripes which makes it identifiable in daylight.  This is the only Scottish lighthouse to have this unique paintwork.  

The Principal keeper and an assistant lived with their families in the light.  They were almost totally self-sufficient.  A hard life in this remote and wild landscape. In 1962 the lighthouse was automated and the keepers moved away from the island.  More recently solar panels were introduced making the light powered totally from renewable energy.

The beach to Start Point Lighthouse

This lighthouse is at sea level so the stunning clifftop walks are not on offer here.  However, this is made up for by the sandy beaches and ruined buildings surrounding the lighthouse.  

On the island are beautiful shell beaches with cowrie shells (groatie-buckies) that are a special treat to find and as you reach the island from Sanday the blue swathes of oyster-plants can be seen. These unique sea-loving plants thrive on this sandy isolated island with their succulent leaves

Visiting Start Point Lighthouse

Start  Point Lighthouse is a short walk from the last parking place at Thrave on the far northeast of Sanday.  Beyond this the road is eroded and not suitable for vehicles.  The walk is along a grassy track that follows the pebbly beach below. 

Eventually, you come to a small hut that marks the start of the causeway.  This is exposed for a short while on either side of low tide so always check times before heading across the causeway.

The Sandy Ranger organises guided tours of the lighthouse throughout the year, but this is the only way to access the tower itself.

• B9069 on the north of Sanday, Orkney, KW17 2BP
• Find the parking area on Google Maps
• Visit the Start Point Lighthouse Website