Muckle Roe is an island on the west coast of the Shetland archipelago. This lighthouse was established in 1897 on the southern side of the Island, overlooking and marking the approach to Swarback Minn, a large area of deep water that could provide refuge in storms, and which later became to be an anchorage and minor base for Royal Navy vessels during both world wars.

The lighthouse is a prefabricated type, but is one of only a few to survive. Originally lit with paraffin, the light was upgraded to run on acetylene gas in 1937, and later propane gas.

Due to the higher levels of maintenance these iron lighthouses required compared to newer alternatives, many reached the end of their serviceable lives in the 1990s and early 2000s, with most being replaced by solar-powered lattice aluminium towers (SPLATs)

The lighthouse was taken down and replaced in 2001, after which the structure remained in a dismantled state, left in the open for several years. Thankfully the lighthouse was saved and underwent an extensive refurbishment in 2014, at which time it was relocated to Sumburgh Head, near the carpark for the lighthouse and visitor centre. During the summer months the structure serves as a visitor information point.