Graemsay Low Lighthouse

Henry Harding

We have never been out to Graemsay to the lighthouse, unfortunately we missed the ferry by about 5 minutes or less as it just had cast off when we ran up to the dock, but I have taken a few pictures of the lighthouse from the Mainland and the Scrabster Ferry. The lighthouse is called the Low Light as there is also a High Light, which many people who are familiar with lighthouses would think that they are a pair that used together as Range Lights to show the direction of a narrow channel. This is not entirely the case. The High Lighthouse is separate, but built near to each other showing different aspects of the channel into Hoy Mouth. The High Light shows Red while the Low shows White while entering Hoy Mouth. But then the High Light turns to white when nearing the entrance into Stromness Harbor. If traveling into Hoy Sound the High light will turn Red again in an area North by West of the light whilst the low will still show White. Once North of the High Light that Light will return to White again and the Low light will disappear. At that point the Sailor should be able to see the Cava Lighthouse ahead and later Barrel of Butter. You will notice that in the background of these images that the distant hillsides appear Purplish. This is due to the perfusion of Heather flowering, which is in August, as well as atmospheric distortion from Mirage over distance. When traveling around Scotland in August the darker areas of the hills will begin to have a purplish hue to them which increases until flowering Max. We met a fellow who retired to Stromness he said that Winters are mild but stormy with some snow occasionally. The Gulf Stream from the Caribbean Sea affects this whole area.

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