The first Rona light was provided by a widow named Janet Mackenzie to warn boats of the rocks at the entrance to Big Harbour, where she is said to have lost her husband and sons. Janet MacKenzie was a noted benefactor to the small boats of Rona and elsewhere which sought shelter in the great anchorage, and as such she is remembered in the name of the 1930's lighthouse boat.
The Northern Lighthouse Board's records include a letter dated 28 October 1851 from Capt Henry Otter, of H.M .S. Comet, to Alan Stevenson, Engineer to the Commissioners, about this "philanthropic widow":
“Her cottage is on the beach and in such a position that a light in one of her windows when in sight clears all the rocks at the entrance of the harbour. For 10 years she has kept this light burning except in light summer nights, and in stormy weather when vessels are seen beating about, she puts up two.....many fishing boats owe their safety from the storm to the poor widow's lights when beating up the sound of Raasay in long winter nights and, unable to contend against the terrific squalls that blow from the Skye shore, they anxiously watch for a glimpse of the narrow belt of light”
Captain Otter goes on to say that the "only assistance she has ever received
was £20 some years ago from the Trinity Board", and he suggested that the
Commissioners for Northern Lights give her an Argand Burner with reflector,
and keep her in oil. Mr Stevenson advised rather to reward her "praiseworthy
exertions" with financial aid. The Commissioners accordingly sent a further
£20 to her, asking Captain Otter to convey the gift.
In 1853 the Commissioner’s Engineer David
Stevenson prepared a list of 45 possible sites to complete a lighthouse
system for the Scottish coasts. The board prioritised 8 sites, including
Rona to light the north entrance to the sound between Skye and the mainland.
It was lit on 10th November 1857, and commemorated its 150th anniversary in
2007. Special commemorative Rona
local carriage stamps and first day
covers depicting the lighthouse are available.
| Rona Lighthouse details |
|
| Established | 1857 |
| Engineer | David & Thomas Stevenson |
| Character | flashing white every 12 seconds |
| Elevation | 69 metres |
| Nominal Range | 19 miles |
| Structure | white tower 13m high |
| Automated | 1975 |
