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Scurdie Ness lighthouse white against a blue evening sky.
Angus

Scurdie Ness Lighthouse

A tall white lighthouse of 1870 by David and Thomas Stevenson on the point south of the South Esk's mouth at Montrose, reached by a path from Ferryden.

Welcome

Across the mouth of the South Esk from Montrose, on a low rocky point, a slender white lighthouse rises beside its keepers' cottages.

Scurdie Ness was asked for in 1867 by the fishermen of Ferryden, after years of shipwrecks on the rocky shore between the Bell Rock and Girdle Ness, and it was built by David and Thomas Stevenson of the famous lighthouse family.

It was first lit on 1 March 1870, to cheers from the crowd gathered on the links and the sands. With no cliff to stand on, the tower had to be tall: it rises 128 feet, with 170 steps inside to the lamp.

A path runs along the shore from the village of Ferryden to the point, with seabirds on the rocks and boats in the harbour mouth, and at sunset the tower glows against the sky.

A short drive awayLilybank BakehouseA sourdough bakery on Montrose High Street, grown from a home micro-bakery, baking bread, buns and pastries with local organic flour.9 min by roadSee itThe shopfront of Lilybank Bakehouse on Montrose High Street.
Before you go

Free, at any time.

A path runs along the shore from Ferryden to the lighthouse; the tower itself is not open.

Where
Scurdie Ness, south of the mouth of the South Esk, by Ferryden.
Height
128 feet.
Where it is

On the point south of the South Esk's mouth, across the water from Montrose.

Close byMontrose.
  1. Black Labrador carrying a stick across a bowling green near a pavilionThe Flower Pavilion2 miles8 min by road
  2. The window of Tomorrow Is Another Day on George Street, Montrose.Tomorrow Is Another Day3 miles9 min by road
  3. RAF Tornado ZD744 stored in a hangar with squadron crests on the wallMontrose Air Station MuseumBritain's first operational military airfield, 1913.4 miles12 min by road
  4. Rusted boat rests beneath the brick arches of a river viaductMontrose BasinA tidal basin of pink-footed geese behind the town.4 miles13 min by road
  5. Wooden viewing platform overlooking dunes and a wide sandy beachLunan BayTwo miles of sand and dunes to the south.6 miles14 min by road
Directions
Restaurant tables laid with cutlery beneath hanging plants, overlooking coastal dunes at duskRestaurantsRoo's Leap1.1 miles over the water
Two golfers on a coastal tee, one mid-swing overlooking a sandy bayAttractionsMontrose Golf Links1.1 miles over the water
The shopfront of Lilybank Bakehouse on Montrose High Street.CafeLilybank Bakehouse2.5 miles
The painted front of the Funky Wee Teapot ceramic painting studio in Montrose.CafeThe Funky Wee Teapot2.8 miles
Tables and shelves of books in Ink & Quill, Montrose.ShoppingInk & Quill Bookshop2.9 miles
Dunninald Castle, its turrets and pinnacles above a green lawn.AttractionsDunninald Castle and Gardens3.1 miles
AttractionsMontrose Playhouse3.2 miles
Whisky casks marked "Arbikie Highland Estate 2022" stacked in rows inside a warehouseAttractionsArbikie Distillery5.4 miles
Stone arched bridge spanning a wide river beneath a cloudy blue skyAttractionsBridge of Dun5.5 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the lighthouse, and when each is next free.

Timber cabin with metal roof and decking surrounded by woodland treesNorth Lodge and River Cabin
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Banchory
  • 19 miles from Scurdie Ness
Free 11–13 NovA stone farmhouse covered in climbing ivy stands behind a gravel drive, seen through overhanging pine branches.Cuttieshillock
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 19 miles from Scurdie Ness
Free 16–18 OctA stone cottage with dormer windows sits behind a low blue gate, a rose-covered archway framing the front door.Gamekeeper’s Cottage
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Strachan
  • 19 miles from Scurdie Ness
Free 2–4 NovA stone steading with a slated pyramid roof and a chimney stands behind a green nameplate sign, a chair visible through the window.No 2 Steading Cottage at Glendye
  • Sleeps 4
  • In Strachan
  • 19 miles from Scurdie Ness
Free 18–20 OctPlaces to stayEvery stay in AngusAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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For further reading, before you go.