Turnberry Lighthouse
3rd July 2022
After spending most of the day at Culzean Castle on the west coast, we saw a scenic location on Google Maps called the Turnberry Lighthouse, just a further 15 minute drive south. And, as the days were so long, we knew there would be no rush to get home in daylight. And, in my ignorance, I did not fully get the significance of this lighthouse until we got there. You see, the Turnberry Lighthouse is on land which is the Trump Turnberry golf resort. So, as you take a breezy walk towards the lighthouse, you have to be aware of golfers out on a beautifully manicured golf course.
The lighthouse was built in 1873 and its foundations stand in what was the moat of Turnberry Castle. Now the signpost on the course says this is the birthplace of Robert the Bruce, but I believe this is a bit of wishful thinking as Robert the Bruce was born not far from my home in Great Baddow, in the village of Writtle, in Essex.
There is no denying that the Turnberry Lighthouse must be the most 'blingy' lighthouse in the world! It is clean and colourfully painted and stands out in a fashion one might expect from the ex-President of the USA. There are two accommodation suites in the base of the lighthouse with stunning views out towards the Isle of Arran, and what looked like a lounge with oversized brown leather armchairs. But the real highlight for us all today were the toilets! Thankfully, these were open to the public and much appreciated. Besides, the toilets had heating and the most fragrant hand soap and lotion. A real treasure on an otherwise bleak coastline.
As we sat outside watching the sea, we could glimpse Ailsa Craig in the distance. This is a volcanic island half a billion years old. In the 15th century it was a haven for Roman Catholics during the time of the Scottish Reformation. Later it was quarried for its granite to make curling stones. But today it is uninhabited and functions as a bird sanctuary for gannets and puffins.
Looking north from the Turnberry Lighthouse, you can see ruined stone walls perching on the coastline. I presume these most have been part of Turnberry Castle, the seat of the Earls of Carrick, and the 13th century home of Marjorie the mother of Robert the Bruce. Just a reminder of history: Robert the Bruce, King of Scots, had a famous victory over King Edward II of England at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Indeed, this is the most celebrated battle of all those between the Scots and the English.
