Kinnaird Head Strathspey

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

1- 8 1s+2s dance R&L
9-16 1s+2s+3s set and circle 6H round to left
17-24 1s followed by 2s dance down, 2s divide and 1s followed by 2s dance back up, remaining in middle, 1s facing 2s
25-32 1s+2s dance Rondel

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)

Dance Information

The site features a 16th-century castle, originally constructed by the Fraser family, which was later transformed into a lighthouse in 1787. This lighthouse was the first to be established by the Northern Lighthouse Board on mainland Scotland. The original structure incorporated a lantern mounted atop the castle, utilising whale oil lamps with parabolic reflectors to project light over the North Sea. ​

In 1824, engineer Robert Stevenson oversaw significant modifications to the lighthouse, including the installation of a new lantern and the construction of a spiral staircase through the castle's core. Further advancements occurred in 1902 when a hyper-radial Fresnel lens was added, enhancing the light's visibility to approximately 25 nautical miles. Kinnaird Head also became the site of Scotland's first radio beacon in 1929. ​

The original lighthouse ceased operations in 1991, replaced by an automated light nearby. The historic lighthouse and its associated buildings now form part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, which houses a collection of lighthouse equipment, personal items from keepers, and archival materials. ​

Adjacent to the lighthouse stands the Wine Tower, a three-storey structure dating back to the 16th century. Its exact purpose remains uncertain, though it may have served as a storehouse or chapel. Local legends suggest it is haunted, adding to the site's historical intrigue. ​

Kinnaird Head
Fraserburgh Lighthouse (Kinnaird Castle) And The Wine Tower

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