The eastern-most of two quite large, square, nineteenth century lime kilns on the Island (see also NPRN 411577). The lime kiln is sited on the slope overlooking North Haven from its western side. It has been converted to a store, and then a shelter for visitors awaiting the ferry, and is much degraded on its seaward face. Davies (1997: 45) considers this to be the earlier of the two lime kilns on the island.

Lime was important on the island both to be used as mortar for the buildings and to spread on the land as a fertilizer, the volcanic rocks of the Island not giving rise to a naturally fertile soil. Limestone (and coal) would have been imported from the mainland, landed on the beach at North Haven and then moved to the kilns where it would be heated. The intense heat changed the rock, making in brittle and easy to crush to a fine powder ready for use.

Sources Include:

Davies, P. 1997. Pembrokeshire Limekilns, St Davids: Merrivale.

History of Skomer Island -The Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales, NJR 07/10/2010

J. Whitewright, RCAHMW, June 2024.