Little Cumbrae - History

History

Cumbrae Lighthouse
Little Cumbrae Lighthouse
Location Firth of Clyde
Coordinates 55°43.2179′N 4°58.0236′W / 55.7202983°N 4.96706°W / 55.7202983; -4.96706
Year first constructed 1793
Year first lit 1997 (current tower)
Automated 1977
Construction Traditional white tower (inoperative)

hexagonal/cylindrical tower

Focal height 92 feet (28 m)
Range nautical miles
Characteristic Fl. W 6 sec

Robert II is said to have built a castle on the island which was demolished by Cromwell's soldiers in 1653.

In the early 20th century, under the ownership of Evelyn Stuart Parker, a new ‘mansion house’ was created from the original single storey farmhouse, the gardens were laid out to a plan by Gertrude Jekyll, the renowned garden designer, and substantial repairs were undertaken to the castle and the original lighthouse. The original work commenced in 1913, with subsequent alterations made between 1926 and 1929 when the square tower and top floor were added.

Little Cumbrae is the birthplace of James Archbald, the first mayor of Carbondale, Pennsylvania.

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