Building record 2338 - SCALPAY, EILEAN GLAS LIGHTHOUSE

EILEAN GLAS LIGHTHOUSE
1. LISTING DESCRIPTION

2 circular lighthouse towers, main tower designed by Robert Stevenson circa 1825 superseding 1789 tower; 1789 house adjoining original tower converted to store also probably 1825; high enclosure wall; 2 parallel detached ranges of single storey keeper's cottages to north probably by Alan Stevenson circa 1845; jetty to northwest; outbuildings; foghorn to south at Rudh' an Eorna. Most buildings whitewashed.
Original lighthouse: probably lowered in height, lantern replaced by shallow-pitched roof circa 1825.
Main lighthouse: 5-stage tower with bands between stages, painted red and white. Small oculi in narrow top band under cantilevered platform with lattice guard rails. Lantern with diamond glazing and domed cap.
Store: originally 2 storeys; converted probably by Alan Stevenson 1845 to single storey keepers' cottages. Rubble-built with long and short dressings to doors and windows. Simple parapet and flat roof. Tall stacks.
Keepers' Cottages: range to north east now 2 cottages (originally 3) in Graeco-Egyptian manner. Built of squared whin rubble with granite dressings. Bold ramped doorpieces with cavetto cornices and stepped blocking courses, outer bays similarly detailed but with windows (one later door). Sash and case windows with 8-pane glazing pattern. Main cornice and blocking course. Tall battered stacks with splayed cornices, 4 central stacks grouped, outer 2 paired. Flat roof. Range to north west 8 bays with principal house and old engine room.

REFERENCES: John Taylor, Harris - a Guide and Gazetteer, 1971 (includes reproduction of 1819 print by William Daniell). 1789 construction work may have related to the developments at Rodel in the earlier/mid 1780's.

2. SUPPORTING STATEMENT
Historically, Eilean Glas occupies a significant position in the history of lighthouses being one of the first 4 lighthouses commissioned by the then newly formed Northern Lighthouse Board (1786). Until this time the construction of lighthouses had been somewhat haphazard. Eilean Glas thus represents an important step in the present day coverage of lighthouses in Scotland.
Eilean Glas lighthouse and its associated buildings gets relatively scant attention in Bella Bathurst's otherwise, excellent recent book on the history of the development of lighthouses (The lighthouse Stevensons). The quality and style of architectural design possibly warrants more attention. However, there is a reference in the centre illustration section to 'Alan's' (Stevenson) design for Ardnamurchan, Scotland's only Egyptian - style lighthouse. The illustration shows the proposed lighthouse together with a group of associated buildings of quite distinct design which are presumably credited with being Egyptian in style. Reference to the photographs of Eilean Glas will show that the (probably) older associated building is in exactly the same style. Indeed the building proposed at Ardnamurchan could almost be a replica of the one at Eilean Glas. The other building (on the landward side) is possibly a later addition being in a very different style. It is, however, in the same style as both Tiumpan Head and the Butt of Lewis.
The Keepers Cottages, in the Graeco - Egyptian style were obviously built at significant cost. Despite some modernisation and more recent vandalism the buildings are remarkably intact. The original brass door hinges, marked with the Northern Lighthouse Boards initials are still in place.
On a wider scale the several associated buildings and structures from a very distinctive group in a remarkable and distinctive landscape setting. These factors together with historical and architectural significance of the individual buildings would all that the group of buildings are worthy of category A designation.
Ian Wilson 14.8.2002

Orkney Islands Council, 2016, Eilean Glas Condition Survey (Unpublished document). SWE41217.