New Edinburgh Fringe exhibition to document the live-saving stories of Scotland's lighthouses
The show will document the stories from lighthouses across the length and breadth of Scotland
For centuries, sailors on Scotland’s waters have relied on lighthouses the length and breadth of the country.
Now the story of Scotland’s lighthouses is being brought to life in a new free exhibition at the National Records of Scotland as part of the Edinburgh Fringe.
Maps, letters, memos and employment records will be among the historical records on show at the ‘For the Safety of All: Scotland’s Lighthouses’ exhibition.
Amongst the artifacts on display is a letter from Flannan Isles lighthouse keeper Joseph Moore, which is going on display for the very first time.
Mr Moore arrived on Eilean Mòr in the Flannan Isles on Boxing Day in 1900, but tragically could find no trace of his colleagues - his letter recounts the “sad events” which had taken place.
Lesley Morgan, Mr Moore’s great-niece, spoke to the archivists about the exhibition and the letter.
“Joseph was deeply affected by the tragedy and he didn’t talk much about Flannan,” she said. “He was convinced his colleagues had been swept away by a powerful wave.
“It is good to think that people will be able to see his letter in person and read his words. It’s a very moving letter.
“The design and building of lighthouses in such inhospitable environments is awe-inspiring. The exhibition will show what the amazing engineers created with their brave construction teams.”
As well as artifacts retelling the mystery of the Flannan Islands lightkeepers, the exhibition will also feature the story of an “impossible” lighthouse built on a tiny reef.
“We’re celebrating the history of Scottish lighthouses using a range of historical records,” said Jessica Evershed, the archivist at the National Records of Scotland who is the brains behind this exhibition.
“Find out how and why they were built, what the job of a lightkeeper was like and what happened during wartime.
“Take a closer look at Bell Rock, Robert Stevenson’s ‘impossible’ lighthouse. It’s the world’s oldest working offshore lighthouse and came under attack three times in World War II.
“We also feature records documenting the disappearance of the three lightkeepers from the Flannan Isles in 1900.”
A lot of the items that will be on display at this exhibition come from the Northern Lighthouse Board, which is the General Lighthouse Authority for Scotland and the Isle of Man.
Mike Bullock, chief executive of the Northern Lighthouse Board, said: “The continuing story of the Northern Lighthouse Board is one of engineering triumph and dedicated service which has helped protect the lives of mariners in the waters of Scotland and the Isle of Man for well over two centuries.
“We are indebted to our friends at the National Records of Scotland for their preservation and care of the National Lighthouse Board’s historical records for the nation and generations to come.”
‘For the Safety of All: Scotland’s Lighthouses’ runs as part of the Edinburgh Fringe, however it will stay open until September 25 and again on September 26 for ‘Doors Open Day’ as General Register House is taking part in this year’s event.
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