Alexander Fraser of Philorth (died 1623) was a Scottish landowner and founder of Fraserburgh .
16-513: There are two lighthouses located on Kinnaird Head , in Fraserburgh , Scotland : an historical one built in a converted castle; and its modern replacement, built in 1991. The original lighthouse now forms part of the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. The original light at Kinnaird Head Lighthouse was established by Thomas Smith on 1 December 1787. A lantern was set 120 feet (37 m) above
32-571: Is now home to The Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. A new automatic light was established beside the original light in 1991. In 2012 the old Kinnaird Head Lighthouse was lit for two anniversary celebrations organised by the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses . First, on 2 June 2012 the light was exhibited in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. Secondly, the light was exhibited on 1 December 2012 in celebration of Kinnaird Head's 225th anniversary. The light
48-526: The 12th Lord Saltoun, and her husband John Gordon of Kinellar (1684-1764). In 1787, it was leased to the Trustees of the Northern Lights, who turned it into Kinnaird Head Lighthouse . Designed by Thomas Smith , the lamp was first lit on 1 December. The structure was rebuilt in the 1820s and superseded by a new lighthouse in 1991. It now houses the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, which incorporates
64-456: The base of the lighthouse are the work of Robert Stevenson . Kinnaird Head Castle [ Wikidata ] , also known as Fraserburgh Castle and Kinnairdshead Castle, was begun in March 1570. The builder was Sir Alexander Fraser, 8th laird of Philorth (c.1536–1623), who also transformed the fishing village of Faithlie into the burgh of Fraserburgh in the 1590s. However, the building of
80-500: The castle led to such expenses that he was forced to sell Philorth Castle , the family home. Alexander, 10th of Philorth , fought for the king at the Battle of Worcester (1651). Despite being badly wounded, he survived to live into his eighties. In 1669 he inherited the title of Lord Saltoun , and in later years he had apartments at Kinnaird Castle The last people to reside in the castle were Henrietta Fraser (1698-1751) daughter of
96-654: The first lighthouse in Scotland to be lit by the Commissioners of Northern Lights . Kinnaird Castle and the nearby Wine Tower were described by W. Douglas Simpson as two of the nine castles of the Knuckle , referring to the rocky headland of north-east Aberdeenshire. The lighthouse is a category A listed building . and the Wine Tower (perhaps from Wynd Tower ). is a scheduled monument . The buildings around
112-513: The funds for the royal wedding. Most sources attest that he died on the 12th of April 1623, though some state July 1623. There is a portrait of him depicted around the year 1597, including a small dog. The National Museum of Scotland has a pair of small miniatures of Alexander Fraser and his wife Magdalen Ogilvie. These were probably originally set within lockets of gold enamel work like similar Scottish examples. Fraser married Magdalen Ogilvie, daughter of Walter Ogilvie of Dunlugas. He married
128-411: The job for nearly a decade. In 1824, internal alternations were made to construct a new lighthouse tower through the original castle tower. This tower supported a new lantern and reflector array by Robert Stevenson . In 1851 Robert's son, Alan Stevenson , installed a first order dioptric lens at Kinnaird Head. The lens was standing and gave a fixed character. The site was further improved in 1853 with
144-575: The modern Fraserburgh, and commenced building a new harbour in 1576. In 1592 he obtained a charter to found a college or university, which was confirmed in 1597, resulting in the short-lived Fraserburgh University , which closed in 1605. James VI wrote to him in April 1589 asking for money to advance his projected marriage with Anne of Denmark . He was knighted at the baptism of Prince Henry at Stirling Castle on 30 August 1594. Fellow knights, including John Boswell of Balmuto had also contributed to
160-417: The only stations to retain their hyperradials today. A foghorn was also built and was operational from 1903 giving a 7-second blast every 90 seconds. In 1906 the light was converted to incandescent operation. In 1929 Kinnaird Head became home to the first radio beacon in Scotland. The Fog Signal was discontinued in 1987, although the horn is still in place. The original lighthouse is no longer operational and
176-411: The original lighthouse and a modern building housing collections of lenses and other artifacts from many lighthouses across Scotland. The wine tower is a small, three-story tower located approximately 50 metres (160 ft) from Kinnaird Head Lighthouse. The tower has been dated to the 16th century and may have gained its name through use as a store associated with the castle. The tower is accessed via
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#1732793342548192-415: The sea on a tower of the old castle. Whale oil lamps produced a fixed light, each backed by a parabolic reflector. Kinnaird Head was the most powerful light of its time, and contained 17 reflectors arranged in 3 horizontal tiers. It was reported to be visible from 12 to 14 miles (10 to 12 nmi; 19 to 23 km). The first lighthouse keeper was James Park, who was paid a shilling per night and remained in
208-552: The second floor and contains elaborate carved stone pendants, reputedly the result of its use as a covert chapel for the Catholic wife of Protestant Alexander Fraser. It is reputed that in the cave below, one of the Fraser family imprisoned his daughter's boyfriend, leaving him to drown there. The daughter then jumped from the roof of the tower. There is red paint on the rocks below to illustrate her blood. According to local tradition,
224-570: The site's first purpose-built accommodation blocks designed by brothers David and Thomas Stevenson . David Alan Stevenson further upgraded the site in 1902 by installing a flashing lens apparatus. The hyperradiant fresnel lens gave one flash every fifteen seconds and was visible for 25–27 miles. The lens was designed by David and his brother Charles Alexander Stevenson , and was made by the Chance Brothers . Only nine Scottish lights were given hyperradials, Hyskeir and Kinnaird Head being
240-410: The tower is said to be haunted. Alexander Fraser (died 1623) He was the eldest son of Alexander Fraser (died 1564) younger of Philorth and Beatrix Keith, a sister of William Keith, 4th Earl Marischal . Their home at Philorth is now known as Cairnbulg Castle . In March 1570 he started building a tower at Kinnaird Head and a church nearby. He continued to develop the harbour at Faithlie,
256-549: Was lit at 3.31pm, and extinguished at 8.30am the next morning, marking a full 17-hour shift. Kinnaird Head Kinnaird Head ( Scottish Gaelic : An Ceann Àrd , "high headland") is a headland projecting into the North Sea , within the town of Fraserburgh , Aberdeenshire , on the east coast of Scotland. The 16th-century Kinnaird Castle was converted in 1787 for use as the Kinnaird Head Lighthouse ,
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