Southerness

Settlement in Kirkcudbrightshire

Scotland

Southerness

Southerness Lighthouse The Southerness lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse still in existence in Scotland (<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=182" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=182">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Engineering Timelines). The square-based tower was commissioned by the Town Council of Dumfries in 1748 to assist in the safe passage through the Solway Firth of ships heading to the Nith Estuary. At that time roads in South West Scotland were quite sparse so the bulk of trade, even between local villages, was carried out by sea. Dumfries was a major port and there were regular connections with Liverpool and, especially, Ireland. Construction was completed in 1749. Originally a navigational marker, it became a lighthouse probably circa 1811. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1936.

The lighthouse is a Category A listed building (LB10415 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB10415" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB10415">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Historic Environment Scotland). — Southerness Lighthouse Credit: David Dixon

Southerness is a charming coastal village located on the southern coast of Scotland, in the historical county of Kirkcudbrightshire. Situated on the Solway Firth, it offers breathtaking views of the sea and the beautiful surrounding countryside. With a population of around 300 residents, Southerness maintains a peaceful and close-knit community.

The village is renowned for its stunning beach, which stretches for several miles and boasts golden sands and clear waters. It is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike, offering a range of activities such as swimming, sunbathing, and beachcombing. The area is also known for its abundant wildlife, including various bird species and seals that can often be spotted on the shoreline.

One of the key attractions in Southerness is the Southerness Lighthouse, a striking structure that dates back to 1749. It stands at 18 meters tall and has been guiding ships safely along the Solway Firth for centuries. Visitors can climb to the top of the lighthouse and enjoy panoramic views of the coastline.

For those who enjoy outdoor pursuits, the nearby Southerness Golf Course offers a challenging 18-hole course with stunning sea views. The village also has a range of amenities, including a local shop, a pub, and a caravan park, making it a convenient base for exploring the wider Kirkcudbrightshire region.

Overall, Southerness is a hidden gem on the Scottish coast, offering a tranquil and picturesque setting that is perfect for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and those seeking a peaceful getaway.

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Southerness Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 54.874366/-3.5980558 or Grid Reference NX9754. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Southerness Lighthouse The Southerness lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse still in existence in Scotland (<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=182" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=182">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Engineering Timelines). The square-based tower was commissioned by the Town Council of Dumfries in 1748 to assist in the safe passage through the Solway Firth of ships heading to the Nith Estuary. At that time roads in South West Scotland were quite sparse so the bulk of trade, even between local villages, was carried out by sea. Dumfries was a major port and there were regular connections with Liverpool and, especially, Ireland. Construction was completed in 1749. Originally a navigational marker, it became a lighthouse probably circa 1811. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1936.

The lighthouse is a Category A listed building (LB10415 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB10415" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB10415">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Historic Environment Scotland).

Southerness Lighthouse

The Southerness lighthouse is the second oldest lighthouse still in existence in Scotland (Link

Engineering Timelines). The square-based tower was commissioned by the Town Council of Dumfries in 1748 to assist in the safe passage through the Solway Firth of ships heading to the Nith Estuary. At that time roads in South West Scotland were quite sparse so the bulk of trade, even between local villages, was carried out by sea. Dumfries was a major port and there were regular connections with Liverpool and, especially, Ireland. Construction was completed in 1749. Originally a navigational marker, it became a lighthouse probably circa 1811. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1936. The lighthouse is a Category A listed building (LB10415 Link

Historic Environment Scotland).

Lighthouse at Southerness Point The Southerness lighthouse is at present the second oldest lighthouse still in existence in Scotland (<span class="nowrap"><a title="http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=182" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=182">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Engineering Timelines). The square-based tower was commissioned by the Town Council of Dumfries in 1748 to assist in the safe passage through the Solway Firth of ships heading to the Nith Estuary. At that time roads in South West Scotland were quite sparse so the bulk of trade, even between local villages, was carried out by sea. Dumfries was a major port and there were regular connections with Liverpool and, especially, Ireland. Construction was completed in 1749. Originally a navigational marker, it became a lighthouse probably circa 1811. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1936.

The lighthouse is a Category A listed building (LB10415 <span class="nowrap"><a title="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB10415" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="http://portal.historicenvironment.scot/designation/LB10415">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> Historic Environment Scotland).

Lighthouse at Southerness Point

The Southerness lighthouse is at present the second oldest lighthouse still in existence in Scotland (Link

Engineering Timelines). The square-based tower was commissioned by the Town Council of Dumfries in 1748 to assist in the safe passage through the Solway Firth of ships heading to the Nith Estuary. At that time roads in South West Scotland were quite sparse so the bulk of trade, even between local villages, was carried out by sea. Dumfries was a major port and there were regular connections with Liverpool and, especially, Ireland. Construction was completed in 1749. Originally a navigational marker, it became a lighthouse probably circa 1811. The lighthouse was decommissioned in 1936. The lighthouse is a Category A listed building (LB10415 Link

Historic Environment Scotland).

Coastal Path at Southerness

Coastal Path at Southerness

Southerness Southerness is a small, compact coastal village located approximately 2 miles south of the A710 between Caulkerbush and Kirkbean. The town today is mainly a tourist village dominated by the Southerness Holiday Village with its large number of static caravans.

Southerness

Southerness is a small, compact coastal village located approximately 2 miles south of the A710 between Caulkerbush and Kirkbean. The town today is mainly a tourist village dominated by the Southerness Holiday Village with its large number of static caravans.

Gillfoot Bay

Gillfoot Bay

Southerness Lighthouse

Southerness Lighthouse

Southerness Point

Southerness Point

Gillfoot Bay

Gillfoot Bay

Lighthouse and sea defences Southerness is suffering from erosion, and even the concrete at the base of the lighthouse is showing signs of undermining. Change here has been profound, and I remember a wide sandy beach here in the 1980s, where it was customary to drive straight onto the sand to park.

Lighthouse and sea defences

Southerness is suffering from erosion, and even the concrete at the base of the lighthouse is showing signs of undermining. Change here has been profound, and I remember a wide sandy beach here in the 1980s, where it was customary to drive straight onto the sand to park.

Jonathan Wilkins

Paul Jones Hotel with lighthouse Icons of Southerness, and memories that I could not suppress.

Paul Jones Hotel with lighthouse

Icons of Southerness, and memories that I could not suppress.

Jonathan Wilkins

Southerness Lighthouse shore 1986 I was shocked to find that the sandy shore which I remember from our first family holidays had vanished. Compare this image with <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6971076">NX9754 : Lighthouse and sea defences</a>. Great amusement ensued when we realised that our only spaniel never to have starred in a geograph appears centre-stage. It was customary in those days to park cars on the sand at low tide, but now it is impossible even to leave the short access lane due to the abrupt drop at its end. The reverse change is noted to the west of Sandyhills (see <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6970251">NX8854 : Needle's Eye</a>).
It has taken a while to locate and scan this original transparency, taken with my Praktica TL3 (huge and incredibly heavy after my customary Powershot 710) on Kodachrome 200 film. My scanner is not so well specified!

Southerness Lighthouse shore 1986

I was shocked to find that the sandy shore which I remember from our first family holidays had vanished. Compare this image with NX9754 : Lighthouse and sea defences. Great amusement ensued when we realised that our only spaniel never to have starred in a geograph appears centre-stage. It was customary in those days to park cars on the sand at low tide, but now it is impossible even to leave the short access lane due to the abrupt drop at its end. The reverse change is noted to the west of Sandyhills (see NX8854 : Needle's Eye). It has taken a while to locate and scan this original transparency, taken with my Praktica TL3 (huge and incredibly heavy after my customary Powershot 710) on Kodachrome 200 film. My scanner is not so well specified!

Jonathan Wilkins

Southerness. A small resort by the lighthouse. View towards a storm from the golfcourse.

Southerness.

A small resort by the lighthouse. View towards a storm from the golfcourse.

Southerness Lighthouse

Southerness Lighthouse

The beach at Southerness

The beach at Southerness

Caravan Park Overlooking Gillfoot Bay near Southerness.

Caravan Park

Overlooking Gillfoot Bay near Southerness.

Gillfoot Bay Low tide at Gillfoot Bay, northeast of Southerness.

Gillfoot Bay

Low tide at Gillfoot Bay, northeast of Southerness.

The shoreline at Southerness Exposed rocks as the tide goes out. Grid reference by GPS.

The shoreline at Southerness

Exposed rocks as the tide goes out. Grid reference by GPS.

Solway Links Golf Course A pay and play course with rates at £10 for 9 holes and £15 for 18 holes. A board at the entrance to the links claims that the course is 99% midge free!

Solway Links Golf Course

A pay and play course with rates at £10 for 9 holes and £15 for 18 holes. A board at the entrance to the links claims that the course is 99% midge free!

Show me another place!

Southerness is located at Grid Ref: NX9754 (Lat: 54.874366, Lng: -3.5980558)

Unitary Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

Police Authority: Dumfries and Galloway

What 3 Words

///wiping.loaning.driveways. Near Silloth, Cumbria

Nearby Locations

Southerness Point Southerness

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 54.874366,-3.5980558

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8718732/-3.6041206

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8718622/-3.6032652

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8718755/-3.602781

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8719294/-3.601498

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.872273/-3.5977857

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8723077/-3.5971334

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8728128/-3.5954455

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8727817/-3.5949042

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8730695/-3.5946059

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.874631/-3.594267

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8749981/-3.5943229

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8757375/-3.593775

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8759626/-3.5937787

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8763372/-3.594003

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8765382/-3.5941912

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8767721/-3.594317

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8772819/-3.5945517

Source: PGS

Lat/Long: 54.8784523/-3.5950948

Southerness

Is In: Dumfries & Galloway, Scotland, UK

Name Sco: Satterness

Place: hamlet

Lat/Long: 54.8749945/-3.5977025

Parking

Access: customers

Fee: yes

Parking: surface

Lat/Long: 54.8742095/-3.5984059

Bus Stop

Holiday Village

Bench: yes

Bin: yes

Bus: yes

Lit: no

Naptan AtcoCode: 680000029501

Naptan Bearing: NW

Naptan CommonName: Holiday Village

Naptan Indicator: Shelter

Naptan Landmark: Holiday Park

Naptan NaptanCode: 34235768

Naptan Notes: none

Naptan Street: C22

Naptan Verified: no

Public Transport: platform

Shelter: yes

Source: naptan_import

Tactile Paving: no

Lat/Long: 54.8752094/-3.5996775

Southerness lighthouse

Man Made: lighthouse

Seamark Landmark Category: tower

Seamark Name: Southerness lighthouse

Seamark Type: landmark

Wikidata: Q7570747

Wikipedia: en:Southerness Lighthouse

Lat/Long: 54.8729255/-3.5952516

Toilets

Lat/Long: 54.8741524/-3.5978963

Post Box

Brand: Royal Mail

Brand Wikidata: Q638098

Collection Times: Mo-Fr 12:00; Sa 10:45

Operator: Royal Mail

Operator Wikidata: Q638098

Post Box Type: wall

Ref: DG2 113

Royal Cypher: scottish_crown

Source: survey

Lat/Long: 54.8732912/-3.5958796

Pub

The 19th Hole

Lat/Long: 54.8744008/-3.5988479

Paul Jones Hotel

Tourism: hotel

Lat/Long: 54.8741333/-3.5971081

Fast Food

JJs Fish and Chips

Lat/Long: 54.8745475/-3.597929

Telephone

Booth: KX100

Covered: booth

Man Made: telephone_box

Lat/Long: 54.8741632/-3.5978136

Post Box

Brand: Royal Mail

Brand Wikidata: Q638098

Collection Times: Mo-Fr 12:00; Sa 11:00

Operator: Royal Mail

Operator Wikidata: Q638098

Post Box Type: lamp

Ref: DG2 104

Royal Cypher: scottish_crown

Source: survey

Lat/Long: 54.8746092/-3.5982561

Noexit: yes

Lat/Long: 54.8758737/-3.5986325

Noexit: yes

Lat/Long: 54.8756018/-3.5981565

Turning Circle

Lat/Long: 54.8769158/-3.6023285

The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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