Eilean Glas is a common island name on Scotland's west coast. For other islands see Eilean Glas (disambiguation)
This particular Eilean Glas is actually a peninsula of Scalpay in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Eilean Glas is of particular interest as it is home to an historic lighthouse.
Eilean Glas lies on the west coast of Scalpay at grid referenceNG247948. The island is just 300 metres long and rises no more than 30 metres above sea level.
The island projects out considerably into the busy shipping lane of the Minch which is likely why it was decided to place a lighthouse here. The lighthouse lies in the south at Rubh' an Eòrna.
A track across the narrow isthmus connects Eilean Glas to Scalpay.
In recent times a radio mast has been erected on Eilean Glas.
The engineer who built these lighthouses was Thomas Smith. The light was first displayed in 1789 and the original tower was replaced in 1824 by Smith's stepson Robert Stevenson.
The lighthouse was an early candidate for automation and this was carried out in 1978. The local community of Scalpay are currently attempting a community buyout.
In 2004, the owners the lighthouse building were convicted of theft and of running a fraudulent charity to pay for the mortgage on the property. However, a recent court appeal has confirmed the legitimacy of the trust, and that it does own the property. [1].
