The Lighthouse Stevensons - Bella Bathurst [142]
early impoverishment and reluctance to build lighthouses 28, 56-7
and Eddystone Lighthouse 59, 64
and Faraday 221
founding xvi, 56
relationship with NLB 50, 208, 234
and Skerryvore lighthouse 159
takes on overall supervisory role of Scottish lights 141, 142
Turner, J.M. 107
Union, Act of (1707) 10, 38
Volvo Syndrome 262
Warden, Dr Adam 127, 193, 197
Watt, James 40, 116
Waverley, Scott 113
Wemyss, Captain 141
Whalsey Skerries 213
Wick breakwater 229-31, 233
Wilson, James 172-3
Winstanley, Henry 59-61
Wolf Rock 31
Wordsworth, Gordon 173
Wordsworth, William 172-4, 216
wreckers 3-4, 28-32, 53-4
York, HMS 69, 73
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Since 1786, all the Northern Lights have been administered by the Northern Lighthouse Board. In March 1998 the last of the lights was automated but the loss of the keepers has if anything meant an increase in the NLB’s workload. At present, they are responsible for 84 ‘major’ lights (those originally manned), 112 minor lights (most of which were always automatic), and a network of beacons, buoys and radar beacons around the coast. They are also still building lighthouses. The lights at Haskeir, Gasker and Monach Isles have all been constructed in the last few years to serve the oil tankers on their route west of Lewis to the terminal at Sullom Voe on Shetland. Whatever the arguments over the need for the lights, it is evident that the NLB’s role and purpose is as powerful now as when it was first established.
This book could not have been written without their assistance. As well as plundering their archive, their picture library and their stationery cupboard, I was also given generous access to the remaining keepers and the lights themselves. Lorna Grieve, the NLB’s Information Officer, answered questions, organised visits and helped trace material; I owe her heartfelt thanks and a ream of photocopying paper. Bill Paterson read and corrected the first draft, while Chief Executive James Taylor offered help and encouragement both for the book and for several articles during 1997. In London, Jane Wilson offered access to the Trinity House archive and helped with queries. I am also hugely grateful to the crew of the lighthouse ship Pharos and the keepers at Cape Wrath, Fair Isle, Butt of Lewis, Rinns of Islay, Duncansby Head and Mull of Kintyre for making me welcome and answering questions.
Quentin Stevenson and Jean Leslie also gave me help with material and with building an image of their ancestors. Simon Leslie, great great great grandson of Robert Stevenson, fulfilled the role of lawyer, friend and Stevenson with his usual style and discretion. I am also grateful to Hector McPhail, Pat Lorimer, Craig Mair, the Multiple Sclerosis Society, HM Coastguard, the Royal Yachting Association, the RNLI and the National Libraries of Scotland for information and assistance at various stages. Thanks also to Pete Jinks for his helpful suggestions for titles (which I helpfully ignored), Alan Taylor at the Scotsman for ideas and a reference, Alex and Danny Renton for answering endless questions about the sea and sailing, Euan Ferguson for comments and incentives, Ruaridh Nicoll for help with editing, Alexa de Ferranti for encouragement and kindness, Sandy Milne for inspiration and Victoria Hobbs and Michael Fishwick for turning this from an idea into a book.
About the Author
BELLA BATHURST is the author of the critically acclaimed The Wreckers, as well as The Lighthouse Stevensons, which was shortlisted for The Guardian First Book Award and won a Somerset Maugham Award. She has also written one novel, Special, which was longlisted for the Orange Prize. She lives in Scotland.
Bella Bathurst’s website address is www.bellabathurst.com
Visit www.AuthorTracker.co.uk for exclusive information on your favourite HarperCollins authors.
Praise
From the reviews of The Lighthouse Stevensons:
‘An inspiring account of men pushed to the limits and beyond on offshore slivers of black rock exposed to sea and gales; of masons, carpenters, blacksmiths