Stoer Head Lighthouse, Sutherland

Lighthouse near Sutherland

Stoer Head Lighthouse
Stoer Head Lighthouse
CC BY-SA 4.0 / DeFacto

Stoer Head Lighthouse is the kind of place that makes you feel like you've driven to the edge of the map. Perched on cliffs above the Atlantic, it's a compact white tower set against raw rock, fast-moving weather, and a horizon that seems to go on forever. The lighthouse itself isn't open to visitors, but the viewpoint and surrounding headland are the real draw, and they deliver the sort of scenery that stays in your head long after you've left.

If you’re basing yourself nearby, this is one of the top sights in Lochinver for travellers who want a short detour with an outsized payoff. It also fits nicely into a walking tour of Lochinver if you’re balancing big driving days with easier leg-stretches and small, memorable stops along the Assynt coast.

History and Significance of the Stoer Head Lighthouse

Stoer Head Lighthouse was built in 1870 by the Stevenson brothers, David and Thomas, after Stoer Head was identified as one of dozens of key Scottish coastal danger points that needed a light to protect shipping. The tower is only 14 metres tall, which can look almost squat up close, but its position on high cliffs gives it serious reach out to sea, guiding vessels along a coastline known for reefs, Atlantic swell, and sudden weather changes.

For over a century, life here revolved around the lightkeepers and the strict routine of keeping the beam burning at full strength through long Highland nights. That human chapter ended in 1978 when the lighthouse was automated, but the sense of isolation is still palpable when you stand on the headland and imagine the same wind and waves shaping every day.

Today, Stoer Head Lighthouse remains a working navigational aid, and that matters: it's not a museum piece, but a functional landmark in one of Scotland's most dramatic coastal landscapes. Even without stepping inside, you feel the engineering logic of its placement, the severity of the site, and the quiet confidence of a structure built for endurance.

Things to See and Do in the Stoer Head Lighthouse

The main experience is the viewpoint itself: arrive, step out into the wind, and take in the cliff-top panorama. Watch the sea for colour shifts and white-water patterns, especially when the swell is up, and keep an eye on the skies because the light changes fast and can make the headland look completely different in ten minutes.

If you like coastal walking, this is a strong starting point for the classic route toward the Old Man of Stoer sea stack. The terrain is rough in places and close to cliff edges, but the scenery is spectacular, with constant views, seabirds, and that feeling of walking through an open-air wilderness.

For photographers, Stoer Head is less about “perfect symmetry” and more about atmosphere. The lighthouse makes an ideal focal point against big weather, and even a short wander from the car park can give you angles that feel far more remote than the drive suggests.

How to Get to the Stoer Head Lighthouse

Inverness Airport is the most practical gateway if you're flying in, with onward driving routes through the Highlands toward Assynt and the northwest coast. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Sutherland on Booking.com.
Stornoway Airport can work for some itineraries if you’re combining the Outer Hebrides with the mainland, but it adds ferry planning and extra travel time. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Sutherland on Booking.com.

There's no rail station in the immediate area, so most travellers use the train to Inverness and then continue by car or bus toward Lochinver. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.
If you want to reduce driving, you can pair rail to Inverness with a pre-booked transfer or local bus connections to reach Lochinver, then plan the final leg carefully. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio.

Buses serve Lochinver on limited schedules, and some services continue toward Stoer village, but they do not typically take you all the way to the lighthouse headland. For the easiest day, treat public transport as a way to reach Lochinver, then use a taxi or pre-arranged lift for the final stretch if you’re not driving.

Driving is the most straightforward way to reach Stoer Head Lighthouse: from Lochinver, you take the B869 and then follow the smaller road out to the headland, where a car park sits just below the lighthouse.

Practical Tips on Visiting the Stoer Head Lighthouse

  • Entrance fee: Free.
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours. Lighthouse tower & buildings: No public access.
  • Best time to visit: Go early or late for softer light and fewer vehicles on the single-track roads, and aim for a clear day if you want long-distance sea views. Windy weather can be dramatic, but dress for it.
  • How long to spend: Allow 30-60 minutes for the viewpoint and photos, or 2-3 hours if you’re adding the coastal walk toward the Old Man of Stoer.
  • Accessibility: Expect uneven ground, exposed cliff-top conditions, and steps or rough patches beyond the car park area; the viewpoint is the easiest part, while the coastal paths are more demanding.
  • Facilities: There are no facilities on the headland, so bring water, snacks, and layers, and plan toilets and food around Lochinver before or after.

Where to Stay Close to the Stoer Head Lighthouse

For the simplest logistics and the widest choice of food and supplies, base yourself in Lochinver; if your trip’s main focus is solitude and scenery, stay in the Assynt/Stoer area and treat driving as part of the adventure.

For a comfortable base close to the coast road network, Inver Lodge Hotel is a strong choice with a more refined, getaway feel. If you want something central and practical right by the harbour area, Culag Hotel makes day trips easy and keeps you close to local cafés and provisions. For a scenic NC500-style stay further north with great water views, Kylesku Hotel is a memorable option if you’re building a broader Highland loop.

Is the Stoer Head Lighthouse Worth Visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy big landscapes and places that feel genuinely remote. The lighthouse itself is a working site rather than an interior attraction, but the viewpoint delivers a dramatic cliff-top experience with very little effort once you arrive.

It’s also an excellent “high impact” stop on a northwest Highlands itinerary: a short detour that feels like a full reset, especially if you’ve been driving for hours. If the weather is clear, the sea horizon and headland scale make it feel unmistakably worth the miles.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

This can be a great family stop because the reward is immediate: park, step out, and you’re in a dramatic landscape that feels like an adventure. Keep the visit simple and viewpoint-focused unless your group is comfortable with rough coastal paths and changeable weather.

If you do attempt the walk toward the Old Man of Stoer, set expectations early and treat it as a hike rather than a casual stroll. Windproof layers and sturdy shoes matter more here than almost anywhere, and a quick snack break can turn “too windy” into “fun expedition.”

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, Stoer Head is all about atmosphere: sea cliffs, shifting cloud light, and that cinematic feeling of being far from everything. It’s the kind of place where a short visit can feel like a full experience, especially if you time it for late afternoon and let the weather add drama.

Make it part of a slower coastal day with a good meal back in Lochinver and a few scenic pull-offs in between. Even if the wind is fierce, the shared “we made it out here” feeling is part of what makes the stop special.

Budget Travelers

Stoer Head Lighthouse is excellent value because it's free and delivers a top-tier Highland viewpoint without tickets or tours. If you're travelling on a tight budget, it's a perfect anchor stop that pairs well with other low-cost highlights like beaches, short hikes, and scenic drives.

The main cost is transport, so the best strategy is clustering your Assynt stops into one day to reduce backtracking. Pack food and water, fuel up where options are reliable, and treat the headland as your scenic “main event” without spending extra.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (372)

Stoer Lighthouse, Stoer Lighthouse, Lairg IV27 4JH, UK offers dramatic coastal views across to Harris and Lewis and is reached via a single-track road; visitors praise short walks from the car park to the lighthouse and recommend exploring nearby beaches and a hilltop geological marker for outstanding panoramas, though the peat can be muddy so waterproof boots are advised. The lighthouse apartment is described as spotless and well maintained, with a well-equipped kitchen, comfortable beds, a good bathroom and heating, making it a peaceful, family-friendly rental enjoyed for its scenery and quiet setting.

Anon Mouse
3 months ago
"Great location for views across to Harris and Lewis. Visited on a windy day, well worth the drive along single track road."
Rob Keniger
a year ago
"As a family of four we had an absolutely amazing time here. The views are incredible and the lighthouse apartment itself is spotless and in fantasticcondition, with a well appointed kitchen, comfortable beds, great bathroom and good heating. The kids loved the beaches and the sheep. I recommend you walk up to the geological marker on top of the hill - absolutely stu ing views. Bring some waterproof boots though - it's peat bog and pretty muddy! This was our favourite place that we stayed in the UK, highly recommended...."
Edwin McGuire
4 months ago
"Worth the drive just for the view, the lighthouse is a sort walk from the car park"

FAQs for Visiting Stoer Head Lighthouse

Getting There

It’s on Stoer Head near Lochinver in the Assynt area of the northwest Scottish Highlands. You reach it via a detour off the B869, then a smaller road out to the headland.
Drive out of Lochinver on the B869 and follow signs toward Stoer, then continue on the minor road that leads to the lighthouse car park. The final stretch is narrow, so take it slowly and expect occasional passing places.
It’s difficult without a car because public transport is limited and does not typically take you right to the lighthouse headland. A workable approach is bus to Lochinver, then a taxi or pre-arranged lift for the last leg.
Yes, there’s a car park just below the lighthouse, which makes the viewpoint very easy to access. Arrive earlier in the day in peak season to avoid tight manoeuvring on the approach road.

Tickets & Access

No ticket is needed for the viewpoint and surrounding headland. The lighthouse is a working site, so treat the building itself as off-limits and focus on the landscape.
No, the lighthouse does not have public access to the tower or buildings. You can still enjoy excellent views from the area around it and from the coastal paths nearby.
The biggest one is respecting boundaries around operational buildings and not attempting to enter closed areas. Also, cliff edges can be deceptive in wind, so keep a sensible distance and supervise children closely.

Visiting Experience

A quick stop of 20-40 minutes is enough for the viewpoint and photos. If the weather is good, you may naturally want longer just to watch the sea and skies change.
Yes, as long as conditions are safe, because dramatic weather can make the headland even more memorable. If wind is extreme or visibility is poor, keep it to the car park viewpoint and skip exposed paths.
Pair it with the Old Man of Stoer walk if you want a proper hike, or combine it with Lochinver viewpoints and a beach stop like Achmelvich for variety. This mix balances cliff drama with calmer coastal scenery.

Photography

Yes, especially for wide coastal scenes and moody weather shots. The lighthouse works best as a small focal point that emphasises scale rather than as the only subject.
Late afternoon often gives the most atmospheric light and fewer harsh shadows, but any time can work because the weather changes quickly. Early visits can also feel quieter and more remote.

Accessibility & Facilities

The viewpoint near the car park is the most accessible part, but the wider headland paths can be rough and uneven. If mobility is a concern, plan for a short, contained visit rather than the longer coastal walks.
No, there are no facilities on the headland. Plan toilets, food, and drinks around Lochinver before you drive out.

Safety & Timing

Yes with close supervision, especially because the site is exposed and near cliffs. Keep children away from edges, watch for gusts, and treat the area like a serious coastal environment rather than a park.
Early can feel calmer and helps with quiet roads, while later often brings more dramatic light for photos. Choose based on your driving plan, but avoid feeling rushed, because the roads reward a slower pace.

Nearby Attractions to the Stoer Head Lighthouse

  • Old Man of Stoer: A striking sea stack reached by a rugged coastal walk with unforgettable cliff and ocean views.
  • Achmelvich Beach: A white-sand bay near Lochinver that feels almost tropical on a clear day, with easy access and big scenery.
  • Clachtoll Beach and Broch: A scenic beach area with a fascinating Iron Age broch site and great coastal wandering.
  • Clashnessie Falls: A photogenic waterfall close to the road that’s perfect for a short stop with a big visual payoff.
  • Ardvreck Castle: Atmospheric lochside ruins with classic Highland drama, especially in changing light and mist.

The Stoer Head Lighthouse appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Sutherland!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours. Lighthouse tower & buildings: No public access.

Price:

Free.

Address: Stoer Lighthouse Car Park Lairg IV27 4JH United Kingdom
Sutherland: 75 km

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