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Lighthouse built in 1833, designed by engineer Robert Stevenson, and constructed by John Gibb of Aberdeen. The main light was altered in 1847 and 1890. In 1870 it was used for the trial installation of paraffin illumination (superseding sperm oil). A radar beacon was installed after 1968. It is a tapering tower with lanterns at two levels, rising from a semi-circular base. It is the only lighthouse in Scotland to have shown twin fixed lights, these spaced vertically 70 feet (21.3m) apart. The lower lantern was a 28-sided structure, glazed to the sea but infilled with cast-iron plates on the landward side: it had 13 lamps in a covered gallery 11m high. The cast-iron ladders that give access to the upper part of the lantern were embellished with processions of ascending and descending crocodiles. When first installed both lights were produced by Argand burners in the focus of 21inch parabolic reflectors, the upper lamp comprising 18 reflector lamps. In 1847 a dioptric lamp was installed and the original lantern transferred to Inchkeith Lighthouse. The lower light was removed in 1890 when a new principal lantern was installed. The light flashed twice every 20 seconds and had a nominal range of 22 miles. To the west of the lighthouse is a pair of keepers' cottages. The light is still operational, controlled automatically from Edinburgh. The fog siren was built circa 1880-90, and is southeast facing, built of cast iron, on a concrete block. It is powered by compressed air from an engine house to the north of the road. The OS 2nd edition map also shows a sundial east of the lighthouse.
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Historic Environment Records (HER) 
Aberdeen City
HER -
NJ90NE0006 - GIRDLENESS LIGHTHOUSE