Latitude: 55.9907 / 55°59'26"N
Longitude: -3.3853 / 3°23'7"W
OS Eastings: 313679
OS Northings: 678395
OS Grid: NT136783
Mapcode National: GBR 21.VFG6
Mapcode Global: WH6S9.ZP39
Plus Code: 9C7RXJR7+7V
Entry Name: Newhalls Road, Hawes Pier, Lighthouse
Listing Name: Newhalls Road, Hawes Pier, Lighthouse
Listing Date: 22 February 1971
Category: B
Source: Historic Scotland
Source ID: 386277
Historic Scotland Designation Reference: LB40353
Building Class: Cultural
ID on this website: 200386277
Location: Edinburgh
County: Edinburgh
Town: Edinburgh
Electoral Ward: Almond
Traditional County: West Lothian
Tagged with: Lighthouse Architectural structure
John Rennie, circa 1812; lantern late 19th century. Circular base; hexagonal tower; lantern above. Base level; band course at cill; blind arches with keystones; cable course at springing of arches; rusticated ashlar; smooth ashlar dressings.
N FACE: round arched doorway; short steps from east and west; sculptured carved head keystone.
S FACE: sculptured carved head keystone.
B-Group with Newhalls Road, Pier. Lighthouses were relatively rare structures until the 18th century and the earliest ones had stone towers. This is a fine example of a small unmanned harbour light, designed in the manner of a garden folly in rusticated ashlar. The lighthouse would have served as both a warning and a guide to approaching boats. The proximity of the pier to Hawes Inn would suggest that it was the main boarding/disembarking point for the ferries. With the decline in ferry travel in the twentieth-century the lighthouse became redundant and is no longer visible from either the Forth or the shore as other buildings, including the Lifeboat Rescue boathouse, have been built around it. John Rennie found fame for his engineering works, such as the three bridges he designed for the River Thames in London, than for lighthouses. However, it is a tribute to Queensferry that, whilst designing grand bridges in the Capital, Rennie took the time to design a handsome harbour light for the small fishing town.
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