Rattray Head,[1] historically Rattray Point, is a headland in Buchan, Aberdeenshire, on the north-east coast Scotland. To north lies Strathbeg Bay and Rattray Bay is to its south. The dunes at Rattray Head beach can be up to 75feet high and stretch 17miles from St Combs to Peterhead.[2] [3]
Qid: | Q17777585 |
Location: | Rattray Head Buchan Aberdeenshire Scotland |
Coordinates: | 57.6101°N -1.8166°W |
Yearbuilt: | 1895 |
Automated: | 1982 |
Foundation: | granite basement |
Construction: | brick tower |
Shape: | cylindrical tower with balcony and lantern on a conical frustum basement |
Marking: | unpainted basement, white tower, black lantern |
Height: | 34m (112feet) |
Focalheight: | 28m (92feet) |
Intensity: | 156,000 candela |
Characteristic: | Fl (3) W 30s. |
Fogsignal: | 2 blasts every 45s. |
Managingagent: | Rattray Head B&B and Ratty's Tearoom [4] [5] |
The 120feet[2] [3] Rattray Head lighthouse was built in 1895.[6] [7] It was built by the engineers and brothers David Alan Stevenson and Charles Alexander Stevenson. In February 1982 it became unmanned and self-working.[2] [3]
The lighthouse is accessible by way of a causeway that is usually underwater and only visible at low tide. It is wide enough for a vehicle to cross.
Remains of several shipwrecks can still be seen on the beach.
Access to the beach is by a narrow track with deep ruts, potholes and limited passing places which leads to a carpark and a short walk through the sand dunes (high ground clearance and good reversing skills required).[2] [3]