Inchkeith Lighthouse

Inchkeith is a small island in the Firth of Forth, halfway between Kirkcaldy and Leith. It lies closer to Fife’s coast than to Midlothian, with Kinghorn just to the north. The island’s geology mixes volcanic rock with sandstone, shale, coal and limestone. Fossils appear in the shale layers, and several springs provide fresh water. James Grant noted the springs in the 19th century, while James Boswell recorded two wells during his visit. A third well was once thought to exist near the old castle. The island has served many purposes over the centuries. In 1497 it became a quarantine for people with syphilis, and later for plague victims. Russian sailors who died of disease were buried here in 1799. During the reign of James IV a mute woman and two infants were taken to the island in an attempt to discover the original language. The experiment, recorded by Robert Lyndsay of Pitscottie, remains unproven. Today the island is best known for its lighthouse. A large square fort once stood where the lighthouse now stands. The fort was built by English forces during the Rough Wooing and later captured by a Franco-Scottish army. The lighthouse itself commands wide views across the Firth of Forth. Visitors can walk the island’s paths and see the remains of the old fort and wells. The low rainfall and sheltered spots make it a quiet place to explore.