For the Safety of All: Scotland's Lighthouses
The stunning coastline of Scotland and its islands have provided a livelihood for its population for centuries. While beautiful, it is one of the most treacherous coastal waters in the world.
For centuries the stunning but treacherous coastal waters of Scotland and its islands has provided a livelihood for its population. The dangers were recognised during the reign of King James III (1460-1488) when voyages between Scottish ports were banned throughout winter months. As trade opened with the ‘New World’ Scottish waters became full of vulnerable ships delivering cargo to Scottish ports in hazardous waters. Navigators commonly waited for daylight before landing, to avoid unknown-dangers and protect the safety of cargo and crew (often considered in that order).
A series of storms in the 1780s contributed to shipwrecks along the east coast of Scotland, leading to a public outcry for improved safety measures. The Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses (NLC) (later to become the Northern Lighthouse Board, NLB) was established in 1786, following an act of parliament. They were responsible for the superintendence and management of all lights, buoys and beacons along the Scottish coast. This exhibition tells the story of Scottish lighthouses and the people connected to them by exploring the records of the NLC.
The Stevenson Legacy
The Flannan Islands Lighthouse
Further Reading
Explore some of the resources used to inform this exhibition.