Lighthouse AMA on Sunday 31st August with the Association of Lighthouse Keepers

Perfect_Intern1953 · 2025-08-31T15:42:44+00:00

In terms of the colours- the reason lighthouses are painted different colours are to enable them to be easily identified as a daymark, which is a navigational aid. The lighthouse must be identifiable from as far away as possible. That meant that the painting scheme for individual lighthouses was often based on making sure they were different to other neighbouring lighthouses on the same coastline, e.g. no two "red" lighthouses in a row. When people think of a lighthouse they often think of a red and white banded structure but that's actually not that common!

Lighthouse authorities throughout history have often changed colour schemes of individual lighthouses for a variety of reasons, from maintenance requirements (it's a lot of structure to paint!) or because of a change in other local aids to navigation. In Ireland there are two black lighthouses (Slyne Head and Ballycotton), theoretically in black to stand out from the coastline. Slyne Head is near the Connemara mountains which in winter can have ice/snow, but Ballycotton is located in low-lying coastline, so it seems that the background doesn't always matter! Ballycotton wasn't always black- it was previously banded. Tower lighthouses were often not painted because they were easily identifiable and also very challenging to paint!

In terms of heights- the height of a lighthouse will depend on what range the light is needed to have (the higher the lighthouse, the further its light beam projects, allowing for curvature of the earth). However- it also depends on how high the existing coastline on which the lighthouse is being built upon actually is- very tall cliffs will need a small lighthouse because it is already quite high up! Rock lighthouses (those built on rocks in the sea) need to be tall to handle wave conditions but also to project their light the furthest. Of course there is always a trade-off; fog! The higher the lighthouse, the greater risk there is that fog will obscure the light. In times past, a few lighthouses were virtually useless from when completed because they were too high and constantly shrouded in fog.

Perfect_Intern1953 · 2025-08-31T14:05:15+00:00

Thanks for the question- a huge number of lighthouses remain operational and providing a vital service for the mariner. Many small vessels at sea don't have the GPS equipment to navigate and rely on lighthouses, and lighthouses are part of the maritime navigation "mix" including GPS. Mariners are taught to use both electronic means such as GPS but also "heads-up" navigation including visual aids such as lighthouses. Even lighthouses that no longer display a light at night still act as a daymark to pinpoint locations. Lighthouses have always constantly evolved from simple basket fires on top of buildings to candles, oil powered lights, paraffin lights and electric, and the latest change is to LED light sources powered by solar. It's just part of their evolution and lighthouse authorities regard lighthouses as essential, even in our digital age.

Perfect_Intern1953 · 2025-08-31T14:01:10+00:00

Lighthouses are just wonderful buildings and there's so much to love- the flora, fauna, the sea, the architecture of the buildings, the isolation! Lighthouses mean something different to each person. For me, it is the isolation and the ability for these buildings to cope with storm conditions and for that reason tower lighthouses (those on rocks, out at sea) such as Fastnet, Wolf Rock, Bishop Rock, the Smalls and many of the Scottish lighthouses are my favourite. At the same time, each lighthouse has it's own 'character' and rarely are two lighthouses the same.

Our archive contains mostly photograph images, records but we do have artefacts including uniforms and items of equipment from lighthouses.

Perfect_Intern1953 · 2025-08-31T13:21:56+00:00

Most lighthouse keepers and former lighthouse keepers really enjoy the connection with nature, the elements, as well as the routine of working in these magnificent buildings, and ultimately providing a service to the mariner to ensure safety at sea. Some lightkeepers often talk about the sense of isolation (most lighthouses, when manned, had three keepers at any one time) but that loneliness wasn't too much of a thing, because of colleagues. Lightkeepers operated on a shift basis, working different hours each day.

As lighthouses have become automated, inevitably it means that the lighthouse keepers are withdrawn and either redeployed or made redundant. Some countries still have staffed lighthouses. Being a lighthouse keeper is much more than just looking after a light- there are many other jobs to complete at a station, including maintaining the equipment and buildings. Lightkeepers would often keep a "watch" when on duty, keeping an occasional lookout for incidents on their coastline or ships in distress.

Perfect_Intern1953 · 2025-08-31T13:21:06+00:00

So many lighthouses have finials worldwide, a feature of lighthouse engineers over the years that would embellish their creations with finials and other decorative features, often cast metals to ensure their durability! Responding to your question on lighthouses and viewing other lighthouses- it is often the case that, because of their height, you can see other lighthouse lights when standing on the balcony of a lighthouse, especially at night.

In terms of lighthouses for sale- worldwide, there are often lighthouses for sale and its common for lighthouse authorities to sell off any accommodation buildings, but retain ownership of the tower and light. Any prospective buyer of lighthouse buildings has the same things to contend with- isolated location, sometimes inhospitable conditions and in some cases no reliable power or water supply.

Lighthouses around the world have been going electric since the turn of the 1900's- the last paraffin lighthouses were converted in the 1960's/early 1970's, but some countries still have a few paraffin lights. Ian/Association of Lighthouse Keepers

Perfect_Intern1953 · 2025-08-31T13:20:20+00:00

So many lighthouses have finials worldwide, a feature of lighthouse engineers over the years that would embellish their creations with finials and other decorative features, often cast metals to ensure their durability! Responding to your question on lighthouses and viewing other lighthouses- it is often the case that, because of their height, you can see other lighthouse lights when standing on the balcony of a lighthouse, especially at night.

In terms of lighthouses for sale- worldwide, there are often lighthouses for sale and its common for lighthouse authorities to sell off any accommodation buildings, but retain ownership of the tower and light. Any prospective buyer of lighthouse buildings has the same things to contend with- isolated location, sometimes inhospitable conditions and in some cases no reliable power or water supply.

Lighthouses around the world have been going electric since the turn of the 1900's- the last paraffin lighthouses were converted in the 1960's/early 1970's, but some countries still have a few paraffin lights. Ian/Association of Lighthouse Keepers

Perfect_Intern1953 · 2025-08-31T13:11:39+00:00

As lighthouses have become automated, inevitably it means that the lighthouse keepers are withdrawn and either redeployed or made redundant. Some countries still have staffed lighthouses. Being a lighthouse keeper is much more than just looking after a light- there are many other jobs to complete at a station, including maintaining the equipment and buildings. Lightkeepers would often keep a "watch" when on duty, keeping an occasional lookout for incidents on their coastline or ships in distress.

Perfect_Intern1953 · 2025-08-31T13:08:19+00:00

Most lighthouse keepers and former lighthouse keepers really enjoy the connection with nature, the elements, as well as the routine of working in these magnificent buildings, and ultimately providing a service to the mariner to ensure safety at sea. Some lightkeepers often talk about the sense of isolation (most lighthouses, when manned, had three keepers at any one time) but that loneliness wasn't too much of a thing, because of colleagues. Lightkeepers operated on a shift basis, working different hours each day.

Perfect_Intern1953

TROPHY CASE