A 19TH CENTURY lighthouse cottage designed by Robert Louis Stevenson’s uncle is on the market for £275,000.
The A listed property sits proudly alongside the famous Noss Head Lighthouse overlooking the Caithness coast in Wick.
The lighthouse, which is still in use today, has been described by estate agents as “the beautiful epitome of Stevenson lighthouse engineering.”
Designed by Alan Stevenson, the brother of RLS’s father, Thomas, it is believed to be the first ever lighthouse to be built with a paned diagonal lantern room.
Unfortunately the lighthouse itself is not for sale and still remains property of the Northern Lighthouse.
But potential homeowners have the opportunity to buy the adjoining three bedroomed Egyptian style cottage which offers breathtaking panoramic views out to sea.
A four bedroomed superintendent’s cottage, engine room, stables and store and 39 acres of coastal land are all included in the price.
The premises are located just south by the striking remains of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe – historically one of the seats of the Sinclair family who governed the area as the Earls of Caithness.
And the dramatic cliffs of Noss Head project into the North Sea offer stunning views out to the sandy beach of Sinclair’s Bay where both Castle Sinclair Girnigoe and Ackergill Tower are found.
The property is listed on the market for the asking price of £275,000 by joint selling agents, Bidwells and Drever & Heddle.
Alastair Campbell of Bidwells, said: “The history of Noss Head itself and the surrounding area makes this property quite unique and will no doubt be of great interest to a variety of prospective purchasers.
“Although unusual, Noss Head would lend itself to a range of uses and the new owners will certainly not tire of the views.”
The Clan Sinclair Trust acquired the estate in 2006 and the property is now being sold to raise funds in aid of the ongoing preservation of Castle Sinclair Girnigoe – a 15th century building just three miles north of Wick.
It has the highest classification for preservation in the UK being a Scheduled Monument and was listed in 2002 by the World Monuments Fund as one of the 100 Most Endangered Sites in the World on their Watch List.
The property is accessed via the coastal village of Staxigoe, and the majesty of the environment cannot be overstated, nor can the unique prospect this estate provides.
Robertson Stevenson had three sons – Alan, David and Thomas – all of whom joined him in the family business designing lighthouses.
Between 1843 and 1853, Alan Steveson built thirteen lighthouses in and around Scotland.
Thomas Stevenson was the father of legendary writer, Robert Louis Stevenson, who penned classics such as Treasure Island and Kidnapped.
