Rattray Head Lighthouse © Ian Cowe

Lighthouse life

In 1998, the last lightkeeper left Fair Isle, the only manned lighthouse left in Scotland. Our slideshow below gives you an insight into the daily lives of lighthouse keepers around Scotland.

Breakfast at Copinsay lighthouse Donald Michael with his dog, at Butt of Lewis lighthouse Keeper Norrie Muir hanging out the washing at the Isle of May lighthouse Principal Lighthouse Keeper John Kermode picking tomatoes at Rhinns of Islay lighthouse Keepers of Inchkeith lighthouse by the allotment A helicopter delivers gas to Dhu Artach lighthouse Ricky Nixon doing maintenance work at Bass Rock lighthouse Principal Lighthouse Keeper John Kermode testing wind direction at Sule Skerry lighthouse Two service crew in silver protective wear, at Dhu Artach lighthouse Occasional Keeper Andy Flaws with his boat, at Sumburgh Head Keeper Norrie Muir drawing the blinds at the Isle of May lighthouse Lamp with keeper looking out, Sule Skerry lighthouse

All photos by Keith Allardyce © the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses.

You can see more photos of lighthouse life from the Scottish Life Archive on our Flickr site.

Shining Lights is sponsored by:

Pagan Osborne

Shining Lights Exhibition

Open: Fri 15 October 2010 – Sun 3 April 2011
Cost: Free
Venue: Special Exhibitions gallery, Level 3

Lighthouse keepers' life Lighthouses today

External links

National Museums Scotland, Scottish Charity, No. SC 011130