Girdleness

Girdle Ness Lighthouse (or Girdleness Lighthouse) is situated near Torry Battery on the Girdle Ness peninsula just south of the entrance to Aberdeen’s harbour, in Scotland. It is an active light, managed by the Northern Lighthouse Board.

In 1813 the whaler Oscar was blown ashore in a storm into Greyhope Bay, at the entrance to Aberdeen Harbour.

Despite rescue attempts only two men of the forty four on board were saved. Appeals were made for the provision of a lighthouse on the headland above the bay, but it took twenty years before the lighthouse was eventually built. Construction was finally completed in 1833 and the 15 October Girdle Ness lighthouse eventually illuminated the coastline.

Until 1987 the associated foghorn was operated when visibility was less than 9.3 km. It was nicknamed the “Torry Coo” (alluding to the “Turra Coo”) because it sounded like a coo – one that could be heard twenty miles away.

Although it is no longer used, the siren has been preserved.