I happened to see this lighthouse (several times) during the TV sports coverage of the Scottish Open 2023 golf tournament, won by Rory McIlroy this year. It's called the Bass Rock Light, and in addition to being a strikingly big rock with a lighthouse on it, it also hosts what I believe is the world's largest rookery/colony of gannets.
So let's learn more about it. First off, it is located here. It's up the coast (east) of Edinburgh.
From the Lighthouse Directory, naturally:
"1903 (David A. Stevenson). Active; focal plane 46 m (151 ft); three white flashes, separated by 2.5 s, every 20 s. 20 m (66 ft) round cylindrical tower with lantern and gallery, attached to a 1-story keeper's house. Tower painted white with buff trim, lantern buff with a black dome. ... Bass Rock is a steep crag on the southern entrance to the Firth of Forth, rising 107 m (351 ft) above the sea. ... It is an important nesting ground for seabirds, especially gannets; the common northern species was named Morus bassanus for the island. The island is privately owned. Located about 5 km (3 mi) northeast of North Berwick. Accessible only by boat."
And so, some pictures:
 |
| There are indeed several gannets on the island |
No comments:
Post a Comment