Cantick Head Lighthouse Cottages

Cantick Head Lighthouse is situated at the tip of the Walls peninsula attached to the island of Hoy overlooking Cantick Sound and the southern entrance to Scapa Flow in the Pentland Firth.
Aerial image click to see more

Click the photo to view more aerial shots

Unique holiday accommodation is offered in two former Lightkeeper's homes. Restored and refurbished to a very high standard, the cottages provide modern facilities and comforts associated with 21st century living yet retain many original Victorian features.

Private and secluded within an acre of walled grounds and over a mile from its nearest neighbour, the Lighthouse cottages provide peace and tranquillity occasionally interrupted by the sound of the sea and calling of the birds.

The Assistant Lightkeeper's Cottage is ideal for 1 or 2 singles, a couple or small family of three.The Principal Lightkeeper's Cottage is suitable for 2 singles, 1 or 2 couples, a couple and single adult or family of 3 or 4.

Helen Comrie om Cantick Sound
Cantick at Dusk
Cantick from rear garden

Dramatic scenery, bird, marine and plant life in abundance, mild climate and very little Traffic make the Island of Hoy & Walls an ideal base for walking and cycling. Archaeology, Geology and an impressive Naval history from the Vikings to World War II are all on the doorstep.

Porpoise, Seals and Whales are frequent visitors to Cantick Sound - Minke, Orcas & Pilot have been seen on several occasions since June 2003. Basking Shark have been sighted a few times during July & August and Dolphins on one or two occasions since 2006. Cantick Head is one of only 8 'sighting hotspots' in the Sea Watch Foundation Cetaceans of Orkney Guide.

Sea angling is a common pastime from the cliffs around the Lighthouse and Trout fishing is available at Heldale Water, licenses or permits are not required; off shore angling and wildlife cruises are available with Out West Charters

Two seasonal Cafes and three pubs provide snacks, lunches, afternoon teas and evening meals; the Anchor Bar, Royal & Stromabank Hotel offer traditional Pub atmospheres including pool, darts and occasional live music.

The Island of Walls is well served by a licensed General Store, Post Office and fuel pumps at Longhope Pier.

Tower left of cottages
Tower right of cottages

Designed to mark the southern entrance to Scapa Flow, the Lighthouse is 22 metres high, the beacon is flashing white every 20 seconds with a range of 18 nautical miles and was first lit July 15th 1858. The light was automated in 1991 and is remotely operated by Northern Lighthouse Board from their Edinburgh offices.

Cantick Head Lighthouse, cottages, outbuildings and walls are Grade B listed of architectural and historic interest. The Lighthouse and Lightkeeper's Cottages were designed and engineered in the 1850's by the Stevenson brothers David & Thomas, sons of engineer Robert Stevenson [1772-1850]

David Stevenson 1815-1886
David Stevenson (1815-1886) constructed some 30 lighthouses during his tenure as Engineer with the Northern Lighthouse Board; David also designed lighthouses in Japan and a method of protecting them from earthquakes.
Thomas Stevenson 1818-1887
Thomas Stevenson (1818-1887) Father of the author Robert Louis Stevenson joined  the family firm in 1838. Thomas invented a new and much improved illumination system for lighthouses and also the "Stevenson Screen", which is still used as a stable container for meteorological instruments.

"There is scarce a deep sea light from the Isle of Man to North Berwick, but one of my blood designed it. The Bell rock stands monument for my grandfather; the Skerry Vhor for my uncle Alan; and when the lights come out along the shores of Scotland, I am proud to think they burn more brightly for the genius of my father." Robert Louis Stevenson

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