An 1848 light raised on timber piles marks navigation in the Tay and survives as an unusual offshore counterpart to Tayport’s masonry shore lights.
Quick facts
- Date
- 1848
- Architect / designer
- Probably James Leslie
- Type
- Timber-piled navigational lighthouse
- Designation
- Listed building, Category B (LB9009)
- OS grid reference
- NO 46323 29325
Architecture, archaeology and continuing use
Timber stilts lift a compact superstructure above tidal water. The open pile construction reduces the force of the estuary while providing a platform from which the light can be seen by shipping.
Its story
Probably designed by engineer James Leslie in 1848, the structure belonged to the navigational system serving Dundee, Tayport and the river approaches during rapid expansion of rail and harbour traffic.
Why it is included
Category B listing recognises a rare timber-piled light whose exposed structural system directly expresses the practical demands of an estuarine location.
What to notice
- Open timber framework standing above the tide.
- Small light structure concentrated at platform level.
- Relationship with shipping channels and shore lights.
Reading the surroundings
Observe only from safe lawful shore positions. Do not swim, wade, paddle or take a boat toward the structure; tidal currents, navigation and fragile historic fabric make approach dangerous.
Timeline
- 1848 A pile-supported light was erected during expansion of Tay navigation.
- Later 19th century Growing harbour and railway traffic increased the value of channel marking.
- 1971 Listing recognised the unusual survival of the timber structure.
What we know — and what remains uncertain
The designation attributes the design only probably to James Leslie, and current light characteristics or maintenance responsibility were not independently verified.
Sources & further reading
- Historic Environment Scotland: Tayport Pile Lighthouse, LB9009 — Current designation status, mapped location, date, fabric and architectural or archaeological interest.
- Trove designation: LB9009 — Parallel national record identity and archival context.
- Northern Lighthouse Board: Stevenson engineers and Tay Lights — Official lighthouse-authority context for the coordinated Tay navigation system.
Location
OS grid reference NO 46323 29325 · Location confidence: High: the current national designation supplies an exact mapped National Grid Reference; the public text separately states access and any current-use uncertainty. · Select the marker to open its satellite view in Google Maps. On desktop, drag Pegman (the yellow figure) onto a blue road. On mobile, turn on the Street View layer and tap a blue road. Other photo markers may be user-contributed.
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