Northern Lighthouse Board Serving the Mariner since 1786 Journal Winter 2018

Lighthouse Keeper’s Celebration at 84 George Street ‘A Song for Lighthouse Bill’ Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

Journal WINTER 2018 | ISSUE NUMBER 113 Contents

1 Welcome from Mike Bullock

3 5 Message from the Chairman Graham Crerar

4-5 Health, Safety and Environmental Update

6-7 Operations Update

14-15 24-25 8-9 14-1512-13 16-17 16-17 Business Services Update 10-12 Celebration of the Lighthouse Keeper

14-15 Rethinking the Rating

16-17 Heritage Trust Update

18-19 20-21 18-20 In Conversation with Tony Merriman

24-25 20-21 18-19 Erraid Residency

22-23 RLS Discovery in Samoa

24-25 Museum of Scottish Lighthouses Update

26-27 Ministers’ visits 22-23 10-12 29 Doors Open Day

26-27 30 20-21 10-11 © If you’d like to reproduce any Outreach articles or photographs in the Journal, please contact the editor 31-33 [email protected] Spotlight on our People - Engineers or write to: Fiona Holmes 84, George Street, 34-36 Edinburgh EH2 3DA. Appointments/Leavers/Retirements 28 Disclaimer: Published articles are not necessarily the views of the editor or NLB. Cover: Mull of Galloway Lighthouse. Photo credit: Ian Cowe More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

future is a key part of NLB’s long The most memorable VIP event term strategy and over the next of the year was without doubt year we aim to add further modern the gathering of former Keepers Apprenticeships within the Business at 84 George Street to mark the Services team. 20th anniversary of Automation. Our Patron, HRH The Princess Royal, The formula was very simple, once again sailed with PHAROS we provided the venue and for a few days during the summer, refreshments and our visitors did visiting stations on and around the rest. We were delighted that Islay. Very kindly HRH agreed to be a good number of partners and interviewed by Matt Allwright (of widows were also able to attend. Rogue Trader’s fame) for BBC’s One It was fabulous to see old friends Show. The interview was filmed together again and to hear the many as PHAROS made passage from reminiscences. Welcome Greenock and the BBC subsequently In late September, for the second went ashore at Ailsa Craig to film year running, we participated in from Mike HRH visiting the lighthouse. Edinburgh’s ‘Doors Open’ days. Although yet to be fully confirmed, The response was remarkable with we understand the interview will around 1200 visitors and many Bullock be broadcast sometime in February commented that they had no idea 2019. We will use Twitter and about the breadth of the services CHIEF EXECUTIVE Facebook to let everyone know the we provide or our importance to final date. the economy. Have a look at the photographs on pages 5 and 29. You To increase public awareness of the might spot some familiar faces. vital services we provide we have he NLB team know all too also been trying to get greater press In August we said farewell to well that our individual day to coverage of our work and have Commissioner Alistair Mackenzie day tasks and responsibilities T had a quite a number of articles who retired after nine years on keep us so busy that there is rarely published in local papers as well as the Board, including two years as the opportunity to stop and reflect the Scotsman, but having a ‘Prime the Chairman. As well as being a on our successes. For me, penning Time’ slot on the BBC is an exciting Master Mariner, Alistair brought a my article for the Journal always prospect. great deal of hard edged commercial offers a moment to look back at our experience which was fundamental collective achievements. Indeed We were also fortunate in August in helping shape NLB to meet the the Journal itself is a testament to to welcome the new UK Maritime challenges ahead. Although we will the dedication, skill and ingenuity Minister, Nusrat Ghani MP to our still see him from time to time in of our people. This edition is no Oban base. The visit included a his role as Chairman of Aberdeen different and although the featured visit to POLE STAR to witness buoy Harbour Board, I would like to articles can only record part of the operations (and actually going on record my sincere thanks for his story of the last six months, they do deck to help remove seaweed and support and leadership. showcase some of the remarkable barnacles!), meeting Technicians at highlights. Lismore Lighthouse as well as a tour of the base. Direct engagement with “Finally, as 2018 draws to a Two years ago we recruited our politicians and senior Government close I would like to thank first Apprentices for a number of officials is absolutely invaluable to decades. We started the programme each and every member of ensure decision makers have a clear with two Deck Ratings and followed the NLB team for their hard first hand appreciation of what we this last year with two Electrical work and to wish all readers do. Apprentices, who in between time of the Journal - staff, former at college have been working with This leads me nicely to the news staff, families, friends, our Aid to Navigation maintenance that the Fleet Review, which neighbours, colleagues in team. Our Deck Rating Apprentices, examined the future vessel Transport Scotland and UK Jordan Wilson and Lewis Thomas, requirements of the three General Department for Transport recently successfully completed Lighthouse Authorities, has reached and of course those who use their training and this September we a conclusion. In brief, we’ve had and pay for our services – a welcomed their successors, Stuart confirmation that our requirement very enjoyable Christmas MacBrayne and Cameron MacMillan. to continue to operate two vessels and Hogmanay and of has been confirmed. Having had this The new Apprentices have already course a very happy 2019.” green light we are now in the early completed their first phase at City stages of planning the replacement of Glasgow College and have joined of POLE STAR who is nearing her PHAROS for sea experience. This twentieth year of service. MIKE BULLOCK commitment to investing in the

1 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

OUR MISSION: “To deliver a reliable, efficient and cost-effective Aids to Navigation service for the benefit and safety of all Mariners”

COMMISIONERS OF NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSES (As at December 2018)

Graham Crerar (Chairman) Sheriff Principal Craig Turnbull Elected by the Commissioners Sheriff Principal of Glasgow and Strathkelvin

Captain Michael Brew (Vice-Chairman) Hugh Shaw Elected by the Commissioners Elected by the Commissioners

Rt Hon James Wolffe QC Captain Alastair Beveridge Lord Advocate Elected by the Commissioners

Alison Di Rollo QC Rob Woodward Solicitor General of Scotland Appointed by the Department for Transport

Sheriff Principal Ian R Abercrombie QC Elaine Wilkinson Sheriff Principal of Appointed by Transport Scotland South Strathclyde, Dumfries and Galloway Councillor Frank Ross Sheriff Principal Marysia Lewis The Rt Hon The Lord Provost of Edinburgh Sheriff Principal of Tayside, Central and Fife Councillor Eva Bolander The Rt Hon The Lord Provost of Glasgow Sheriff Principal Duncan Murray WS Sheriff Principal of North Strathclyde Councillor Barney Crockett Lord Provost of Aberdeen Sheriff Principal Derek Pyle Sheriff Principal of Councillor Bill Lobban Grampian, Highlands and Islands Convenor of Highland Council

Sheriff Principal Mhairi Stephen QC Councillor Len Scoullar Sheriff Principal of Lothian and Borders Provost of the Council of Argyll and Bute

“In Salutem Omnium” For the Safety of All

2 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

CHAIRMAN’S MESSAGE Graham Crerar

LB is rightly proud of its status measure and monitor, how this giving visitors a unique experience, as a General Lighthouse cooperation works at the level of and giving us the chance to tell NAuthority (GLA), a statutory our neighbours who own individual our story to those that wouldn’t body charged with ensuring that the properties is rather less precise. otherwise know who we are. coasts of Scotland and the Isle of Man have sufficient aids to naviga- Like a lot of things in life, it’s only tion to keep the mariner safe. But To some extent, helping when problems emerge that you while we care greatly about where become aware of how challenging our neighbours is what’s our responsibilities start and stop, the situation has become at some meant by our strategic most seafarers won’t think about remote and difficult to access whose ‘patch’ they are in; certainly objective of ‘helping the locations. However, I am also the vessels that pass around the wider development of the delighted to report that there are length or breadth of the British Isles many examples of excellence. Scottish economy’. Tourism, should never have to think about This summer, during both the ecological sustainability, whether it’s an NLB light or one Inspection Voyage and when maintained by Trinity House or Irish remote living, community accompanying the UK Maritime Lights. The overall systems of lights, enterprise, can all be Minister on board POLE STAR, we buoys and beacons has to work were fortunate to have come across advanced when we work well harmoniously and, to do that well, just such examples, where sharing with those around us. And requires hand-in-glove cooperation a lighthouse property with a family with our GLA neighbours - Trinity just as importantly can be set or a business appeared to work House and Irish Lights. equally well for both parties. And back when, often through no both NLB and our neighbours had fault other than neglect, it The nature of those relationships every incentive to keep it working - goes wrong. has changed over the years, but for NLB, the incentive was that the in many regards, the levels of site would be safe and accessible So although it would be difficult cooperation and joined-up working for its staff and for the property to be precise about how we see have never been more effective than owners, the incentive was that they all such relationships evolving, it they are today. Whether it’s making could be confident of consultation is a clear intention of the Board of sure that whoever has a vessel close and cooperation whenever we were Commissioners that they do. Just as to an outage or a wreck goes there there. with our GLA neighbours in England first, regardless of who has statutory and Ireland, we know that good responsibility, sharing best practice We also have countless examples relationships at a local level requires or pooling the three GLA’s resources of where our ‘neighbours’ are of the real commitment from both sides. to get the best possible prices for feathered kind and their nesting and everything from paint to helicopters, breeding needs have priority over working well with our GLA all but urgent NLB access. Or where neighbours is a win-win situation. we have been able to work with But while at the macro level reaping community groups to help them the benefits of a strong relationship create something that capitalises on with our GLA neighbours is an NLB the heritage of their local lighthouse, GRAHAM CRERAR objective that is relatively easy to

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Health, Safety and Environmental Update

Billy Byrne, HS&E Manager

echnology, automation and the modernisation of our Lighthouse Renewable (Solar) Energy Tlighthouses has had both Carbon Footprint Estimated Savings 1998 to 2018 positive and negative impacts on NLB. The departure of lighthouse keepers and their families, following automation, is without doubt one obvious loss.

Recent discussion with former Keepers and family members reaffirmed the pride they took in working for NLB, keeping the stations in good order, lights operational and as a result, keeping mariners safe.

THE KEEPERS AND THEIR FAMILIES HAD SUCH AN IMPORTANT ROLE AND ARE A CHAPTER OF NLB’S HISTORY NOT TO BE FORGOTTEN.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

Advancements in technology across (LED) lights. Energy use for would not be classed as a normal industry has driven change in most lighthouse station upgrades is run of the mill job. Given this, we businesses. We have progressively embedded into the planning process have a number of projects on-going been introducing renewable (solar) with our Projects Department to review and develop existing energy and this currently powers assessing the best types of procedures. One of those that has 170 buoys and 140 lighthouses. energy sources available and the perhaps been slightly under the impact they could have on the radar, but fundamental to our job, is As you would expect, this environment. Our focus remains to driving. renewable energy use is positive continually improve environmental for the environment with carbon performance. Out of a workforce of about 180, emissions reduced by nearly 1300 we have 146 employees who are tonnes since introduction. HAZARDS registered as ‘approved’ drivers for NLB. At some point they will have It is estimated that we have saved Our work does create a number to negotiate and drive on roads in over £438,000 from expenditure of hazards and because they Scotland and the Isle of Man, which on electricity or other types of are associated with the marine, is nothing unusual, but driving a energy resources that would have construction and aviation industry, car on behalf of a business covers previously been bought from other could be classed as higher more risks than you might think and providers. Fuel, for example, is not risk when compared to other includes: needed to power diesel generators occupations. Coupled with our that were removed from lighthouses general maintenance activities • A need to consider driver risk and replaced by solar power that and the remote locations of some profiling and whether additional now operate the light-emitting diode of our lighthouses, I suspect this training is needed for anyone

4 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

who may be identified as a ‘higher risk’ driver; route planning; weather conditions risk assessment; use of the ‘Grey fleet’ (where people use their own car on NLB business); 1 2 and checks on the following - 2 insurance, driving licence, NLB 3 Fleet/hire cars at the start and 3 end of a journey.

We also need to consider the driver’s 2 4 health and visual acuity as well as complying with the General Data 3 3 Protection Regulations where personal details are held. In light of all of this we have set up a working group to ensure that, as a responsible employer, we are doing everything we should be in relation to driving.

Amongst our review of existing procedures, work on a new personal protective equipment (PPE) contract has commenced. The HS&E Team has been assisting Procurement with the implementation and review on how best to further improve the way PPE is controlled and issued.

DOORS OPEN DAY

On the theme of PPE, over 1000 members of the public, including family members of NLB staff, had the opportunity to try on some of our PPE at Doors Open Day in September. We were delighted to Above: Ellie and Cameron McBrier receive a lot of positive feedback but Below left: Luca Macdonald that said it looks like we got the sizes Below right: Hamish and wrong for some people. There’s also Angus Ward risk in that…so make sure your PPE fits folks! “DOORS OPEN DAY GAVE US AN OPPORTUNITY TO MEET MANY MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC WHO WERE INTERESTED IN OUR WORK. WE’D LIKE TO SAY A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL THOSE WHO VISITED US.”

Read more about Doors Open Day on page 29.

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Operations Update

Phil Day, Director of Operations

s part of my role, I am Everything, including buoy Stakeholder input as well as AIS privileged to chair the IALA appearance, light flash characters, traffic pattern analysis form an AAids to Navigation and Racons, AIS, DGPS etc has technical essential part of this process. Requirements Committee. The parameters and guidance, which Consultations on any proposed autumn round of meetings recently influence our work and the service changes will be carried out during completed and all four committees we provide. 2019. have started the new 2018-2022 The General Lighthouse Authorities Projects to provide new LED lights work programme following the (GLAs), are currently reviewing and refurbish stations are conference held in early June this the DGPS service as it approaches on-going. year. a point where equipment renewal The overrunning project at Copinsay As well as work on current will be required. Space based GPS was further affected by internal technologies, IALA committees are augmentation systems are now cracking caused by hidden cast iron working on: widely used in aviation and the beam corrosion. A remedy for this GLAs are monitoring developments • VHF data exchange system has been identified and repairs to to see if this can become recognised (VDES) to provide future complete the work are underway. for marine use. live streaming of Navigation Work at Noss Head and Brough of warnings, chart amendments We are also conducting a survey Birsay has completed. and other data to try and determine the size and variety of the DGPS user base. Contractors are on site at Duncansby • a back up to GNSS using Head, Mull of Kintyre, Rhinns of Ranging Mode (R Mode), using Any reader input would be very Islay and Cape Wrath. A mains MF and VHF based signals from welcome. You can access the power outage on Islay resulted in existing systems survey from our website www.nlb. contractors temporarily vacating org.uk/InformationCentre/News/ • revision of the maritime Rhinns of Islay. Documents/Differential-GPS-user- buoyage system to include a survey/ We have awarded contracts for new mobile Aids to Navigation Stroma and for beacon replacement (AtoN) A recent stakeholder review of Oban at Grocis Sgeir and Cleit Rock, as AtoN provision led to a proposal to • and, in cooperation with IHO, well as for the painting of lights remove the Corran Ledge cardinal new data standards for the next in the Oban area. Mobilisation mark and increase the use of lateral generation of ECDIS (Electronic for Stroma has been significantly marks in the north entrance and Chart Display). delayed and the project will run into synchronise the buoy lights. Financial Year 2019/20. “THE TECHNICAL This will be NLB’s first significant use of the technique, which WORK UNDERTAKEN following IALA development, is AT THE COMMITTEES widely used in buoyed channels. ON HARMONIZATION We are also starting our five yearly AND STANDARDISATION AtoN review. This will be published OF AtoN AND SHORE in May 2020. We’ll review all our AtoNs to ensure they are sufficient BASED SERVICES HAS or that they remain necessary to A DIRECT IMPACT ON meet changing traffic patterns, and NLB AND EVERY OTHER deliver the Government’s SOLAS convention commitment to provide AtoN PROVIDER AND Aids to Navigation that meet the AUTHORITY” volume of traffic and degree of risk.

6 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

Duncansby Head Lighthouse, courtesy of Ian Cowe

POLE STAR PHAROS

We are delighted that PHAROS will be taking part in London International POLE STAR dry docked in Shipping Week from 9 to 13 September next year and will be berthed in the Middlesborough in October for Thames alongside HMS Belfast. London International Shipping Week has routine survey and repairs. This grown to become one of the leading maritime events in the world. included bearing replacements on the azimuth drives. Unfortunately, We hope to use PHAROS to promote the Scottish Maritime Cluster and for unexpected wear was found in the the Scottish Government to have the opportunity to highlight Scotland’s azimuth drive motor couplings. This contribution to the Maritime industry. required the removal of the motors for repair and the supply of new couplings. The vessel undocked but had to remain in Middlesbrough to wait for the the new couplings which had to be specially manufactured in Germany. In the meantime, on top of a busy project mobilisation and storing period, PHAROS picked up some of the outstanding buoy work. We are at the early stages of planning for POLE STAR’S replacement and I hope to provide an update in the next issue of the Journal.

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Business Services Update

Mairi Rae, Director of Business Services

CYBER THREAT VOLUNTARY REGISTRATION OF ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2017/18 TITLES e continue to raise The General Lighthouse Fund audit awareness of cyber threats We’re continuing to prepare and is complete and the GLF and GLA’s Wto our staff and are working submit applications to the Registers accounts have been laid before closely with the cross-function of Scotland (RoS) in relation to the Parliament. NLB’s accounts will tri-GLA Cyber Forum, to share best Scottish Government’s request for be available to view in the Funding practice. all public bodies to digitise their section of the NLB website soon. titles by 2019. In line with our policy of continuous Every five years we have to carry improvement with regards to cyber We submitted Ailsa Craig in out a full revaluation of our fixed threats, we will shortly be rolling November 2017 and it was returned assets. This involves reviewing what out cyber security training via a as registered in July this year. Due the modern equivalent replacement dedicated training package to all to a backlog of titles for Voluntary would be if one of our assets was staff. Registration, RoS might extend the lost. For example, what it would period for registration for a further cost to rebuild a modern Bell Rock. RECEPTION six months. Site visits with the Valuation Office took place in Skye in January, and For those of you visiting George So far, we have submitted 33 titles, Dumfries and Galloway in February. Street to buy Christmas cards and with a further 35 awaiting minor calendars this year, we hope you like revisions to drawings before we can The new NLB Asset Management our new refreshed reception area. send those to RoS. team worked with other GLA teams We do have other promotional items to agree the various types and available for sale so take a look in Over the summer, members of the costing of lights. The process of the display cabinet and see if we can Asset Management and Business determining modern equivalent tempt you to part with your pennies! Support teams undertook training costs of lighthouses across the on how to search for ownership of three GLAs took longer than initially We’re currenly developing a new properties. This will improve the anticipated, with much discussion website at www.nlb.org.uk and time and cost taken to investigate between Engineers and the Valuation last month we launched a new neighbouring properties. Office. The National Audit Office online shop. If any of you used our then involved a specialist Maritime previous shop, we think you’ll find Engineering Company to validate this much more user friendly! It’s at the work. www.nlbshop.org.uk NLB continues to deliver efficiencies to the GLF and a comparison of running costs over 10 years from 2008/09 shows a reduction of 22% (£3.4m).

NLB mug and umbrella are available to buy from our online shop. “WE CONTINUE TO RAISE AWARENESS OF CYBER THREATS TO OUR STAFF AND ARE WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE CROSS-FUNCTION TRI-GLA CYBER FORUM TO SHARE BEST PRACTICE”

8 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

Ailsa Craig Lighthouse in the Firth of Clyde. Photo courtesy of Ian Cowe

FINANCIAL REPORT TO SEPTEMBER 2018 CORPORATE PLAN 2019/20

Summary financial position for September 2018 is shown in the table below. Our Corporate Plan for the period We anticipate achieving budgeted spend for the full year except for: 2019/20-2023/24 is hot off the press and is with the Department for • Commercial work where a customer has indicated they no longer have Transport, the Lights Advisory budget to proceed with planned activities – work is underway to secure Committee and Transport Scotland. alternative sources of income. Myself and our Chief Executive carried out individual briefings • Lower redundancy costs as we conclude staff changes associated with during November. These culminated the Organisational Review. in a meeting in London to review all the GLA’s plans. • Our planned revenue and capital contingencies which we only intend to use in exceptional circumstances. GENERAL LIGHTHOUSE FUND

Light Dues have been held constant YEAR TO 30 SEPTEMBER 2018 for financial year 2018/19 (UK 37.5p and IL €0.60). The GLF fund stood at Budget Actual Variance £53.7m as at 30 September 2018 up £2m on 1 April 2018 balance. 18/19 18/19 18/19 In the UK, cumulative net Light Dues Running Costs 8,415 7,4 48 967 receipts at the end of September were down 0.2% (£83k). There has Other Costs 971 1,039 (68) been some unusual volatility in IRL Light Dues income so far this year with month-to-month comparisons Capital Expenditure 2,219 671 1,548 showing large variances. However, over the whole period to 30 Sanctioned Costs 11,605 9,158 2,447 September, income is up 6.6% (€218k).

Inter- GLA Expenditure 3 0 3 Light Dues collected in Scotland and the Isle of Man to September 2018 amounted to £3.6m (8.4% of Commercial Work Surplus (372) (351) (21) total Light Dues collected). This was up slightly on the 2017/18 figure of Total Net Expenditure 11,236 8,807 2,429 £3.4m (7.9%).

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Celebration of the Lighthouse Keeper

We were delighted to welcome former Keepers to No 84 in September for a special event to mark the 20th Anniversary of Automation.

The event was an opportunity for us to thank Keepers for their dedication to the service. It was wonderful to see so many former Keepers, widows and their families all together in the Stevenson Rooms.

Thank you to everone who came along to the event. We hope you enjoyed catching up with old colleagues and reminiscing about your time in the service.

A big thank you to Bill Gault for reading ‘A Song for Lighthouse Bill’ (opposite). It was a fitting and moving tribute. Bill wrote the song 10 years ago for a music night at the Ligie Folk Club.

There are more photos on page 12. Apologies if we didn’t manage to capture everyone!

The song was written over 10 years ago for a music night at the ‘Lighie Folk Club’. It was written by former Light- house Keeper, Bill Gault.

10 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

A Song for Lighthouse Bill by Bill Gault

When out at sea a glint of light through snow or darkest hour. You’ll know some keeper stood his watch on some island, cape, or tower. For fully thirty years i served as a keeper of the lights, Frae the shetland isles, tae the calf of man i spent my working nights

On fidra in the firth of forth i worked my starting days, Then at buchan ness and soon kinnaird i learned the keepers ways, On barra head up in the clouds, where atlantic’s swells roll high. And on ailsa craig then skerryvore soon weeks then years flew by.

At ardnamurchan’s rugged shores saw grampus, fulmars, whales. At copinsay saw dawn of day, bonnie sunsets over orkney’s green isles, At killintringan on the mull looked west to fingal’s way, Rhuval on islay’s northern shore looks out to colonsay.

I’ve struggled thro gales on many’s a day, been storm stayed more than once, Aince had to stay tho i had nae say, for damn near twa full months. But in the end a chopper came and flew us a safe hame. Aye and if need be i’d hae tae say i’d dee it ower again.

Now things have changed, alas no more are needed men like me. With computers then with gps soon came redundancie. It’s twenty years past since our last day we spent on bleak fair isle. Aye and on that day it’s true to say nae keeper raised a smile.

In 1786 the service it began, with whale oil lamps tae light the coast, Safe way for all sea men. Soon lights were fuelled with paraffin Horns sounded for fog, snow, and haze. The service it saw lots of change right up to its last days.

Twas on the 31st march in 1998 our service royal patron anne came to officiate. On looking round to my surprise, a crowd had come to see The end of lighthouse keepers with the nlb.

We lowered our flag for the last time, it was the final blow, presented to the Princess, we were feeling very low. Soon we popped a cork then had a dram to the Keepers who’d gone before. For, we now were the last of them There won’t be any more.

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Cromer Lighthouse 2010

“The departure of Keepers was a poignant milestone and definitely the end of an era. Lighthouse Keeping wasn’t just a job, it was a way of life. This is a poignant anniversary and we must not forget that for many, automation marked the end of a long career.”

12 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

Lighthouse Coffee Mornings

Join former NLB colleagues on the SECOND FRIDAY of each month for coffee and a catch up.

We meet at 10.30am in the Undercroft Cafe, of St Andrews & St Georges West Church, George Street, Edinburgh.

The Coffee Mornings provide a contact point for former and current NLB employees (and close associates) to come together for fellowship and conversation. And, of course, to put the NLB service and the world to rights.

The coffee, tea and cakes are excellent and very reasonably priced and those who come along to join in the chat and to reminiscence, very much enjoy themselves!

So do come and join us for this informal and relaxed gathering. You’ll be made to feel very welcome!

Living by the Lighthouse - a family by land and sea 1918-1938

In the late eighties or early 1990s, Lorna Hanwell’s late mother, Margaret Hanwell, nee Cordiner, wrote down for her in a black hardback notebook some of her childhood memories.

Lorna had grown up with her mother’s stories as a Lighthouse Keeper’s daughter. Her mother’s memories of those days in the 1920’s and 1930’s were full of nostalgia.

Lorna has compiled the stories into a booklet. If you would like a copy please email Lorna at [email protected] and put ‘Lighthouse booklets’ in the title. The booklets cost £3.50 including postage and packing.

Calling Keeper’s Wives!

Hazel Boath is married to former Lighthouse Keeper, John Boath. Hazel would love to hear from other wives who would be interested in getting together to talk about their lighthouse stories.

If you’d like to get in touch with Hazel, please call Fiona at NLB on 0131 473 3100 or email [email protected] and Fiona will pass on your contact details to Hazel.

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Rethinking the Rating

Liverpool Town Hall provided a grand setting for the ‘Rethinking the Rating’ event in September. Organised by the Merchant Navy Training Board, there was a lot of lively debate and thoughts on recruitment, training and retention and fantastic to see our Deck Rating apprentices Jordan and Lewis taking part in a panel discussion.

From left to right: Chief Caterer Ned Kelly, Chief Executive Mike Bullock, Deck Rating Apprentices Lewis Thomas and Jordan Wilson

Panel debates included:

• Current challenges of recruiting Ratings and possible solutions

• How we can attract more companies to take on more UK Ratings

• Developing a clearer career path for Ratings

14 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

The event was hosted by the Lewis talked about the training Merchant Navy Training Board aspect: (MNTB) and Mersey Maritime and attended by a good mix of “At NLB we have a lot of company employers, including those not specific courses. We wouldn’t be able currently working with apprentices, to do our jobs without the training seafarers and wider stakeholders. and we’re lucky to have diverse opportunities.” There was a good deal of debate around the challenges and Women in Maritime Charter opportunities, including the The event was followed by the recruitment of more women into the launch of the Women in Maritime maritime sector as well as the skills Charter where we heard three and aptitudes required to advance amazing and inspirational speakers the cause of modern shipping. It talk about their path into the was really interesting to hear the industry. The Women in Maritime views of those who have worked in initiative is designed to address the maritime industry for years and the lack of gender diversity in the views of the new recruits who were UK maritime sector by creating a just beginning their maritime career. framework to challenge companies THE MNTB EXISTS TO to make progress on diversity. Some of the questions were around IMPROVE THE TRAINING how we engage with young people “The world of work is changing and AND EDUCATIONAL and importantly at what stage? that is evident in the number of wom- en running global corporations and PROSPECTS FOR UK NLB Deck Rating Apprentices, yet there is still a reluctance to accept Jordan and Lewis, took part in the that women can handle the jobs many MERCHANT SEAFARERS ‘seafarers’ panel. They talked about still consider to be ‘male-orientated.’ AND THIS EVENT their own experiences of recruitment Well they need to think again: women and training. When asked how have been at sea, working in ports HIGHLIGHTED SOME easy it was to find out about and in maritime engineering roles for OF THE GOOD WORK, apprenticeship opportunities, Jordan as long as men. Now would be a good commented: time to open that acceptance door a THE AREAS FOR lot wider.” IMPROVEMENT AND “My Grandad worked at sea so I Taskforce Chair Sue Terpilowski was aware jobs like this existed. SOME OF THE But for people who don’t have a For more information go to https:// OBSTACLES TO family connection, there isn’t enough www.maritimeuk.org/programmes/ information about careers at sea. Also, women-maritime/women-mari- PROGRESS. the difference between a Cadetship time-matrix/ and a Rating isn’t clear.”

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Heritage Trust Update

Alastair Beveridge, Chairman of the Heritage Trust

Since my last report for the Journal, area for a number of significant it’s been a busy time for the buoys that have recently been Oral History project Northern Lighthouse Heritage Trust refurbished at NLB’s Oban depot. (NLHT). Our investment portfolio, The Oral History project is now in We are also undertaking some its third and final phase with the managed by Brewin Dolphin, has research into the history of a number focus on HQ staff. Aligned with this continued to show positive growth of surviving very old conical riveted project, we have a small working in line with our agreed risk crite- buoys. group who are looking at ways of ria. This has allowed us to release making the project and the wider funds to support a range of projects NLHT archive accessible by possibly linked to NLB’s rich history and North Carr Light Vessel using some form of audio/visual culture. Over the past year some of display linked to the new NLB these projects include: We’ve been in touch with the vessel’s website. owners regarding the ship’s future. The owners have a long term plan for the ship and in the meantime we Stevenson drawings Breasclete Community Association will continue to liaise with them. (Urras an Taighe Mhoir) We recently came into possession of a number of signed Stevenson We gave financial assistance to original site drawings and sketches help the Association establish Scottish and Manx Lighthouses of various Pillar lights, some of their Flannan Isles museum. The A Photographic Journey in the which are beautifully detailed and Association have obtained copies of Footsteps of the Stevensons very well preserved. We are currently the orignal drawings of the Keeper’s arranging to have these scanned cottages. They hope to buy these The second print of Ian Cowe’s book before they go to archive. and return them to something ‘Scottish and Manx Lighthouses’ approaching their original condition has been published in hardback. before relocating the museum into We are exploring ways of how we the building. can market the book more widely Mull of Galloway Experience through small retail outlets and possibly Amazon. The book, which is We gave a donation towards the Gairloch and District Heritage priced at £20, is currently available restoration of the Kelvin K2 engine Museum to buy from NLB’s online shop and coupled Alley McLelland air https://nlbshop.org.uk/ compressor which hadn’t been used The museum is custodian of the for 30 years. The restored Kelvin original Rubha Reidh Lighthouse engines are fired up on Sundays for lense and is relocating to a new and the public. much improved building. We agreed to help with new displays associated with the lense.

Museum of Scottish Lighthouses

We’re continuing to support the work of the museum which includes providing funds for displays and exhibitions.

One area we’re looking at is how we could help with a permanent display

16 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

3D Scanning Earlier in the year, we financially Book review supported the project to have 3D scans made of the reception area, boardroom and the Stevenson Rooms at NLB HQ.

Isle of May Project

We gave a contribution to support the work to conserve the armorial panel.

We’re continuing to restore various clocks and work is well advanced in the final transfer of assets from NLB to the Heritage Trust.

And finally, as many of you will be aware, particularly those who have sat on them for any length of time, the boardroom chairs are in urgent need of restoration. We’re pleased to report that we recently agreed a contract to proceed with this work. Chicken Rock Lighthouse Lighting the Manx Coast by Dermot O’Toole Recently restored Grandfather clock. Publisher Lily Publications Available from February 2019

An endeavour two years in the making, this is a story chronicling shipwrecks on the southern shores of the Isle of Man during the nineteenth century – a period when more ships were wrecked and lives lost than at any other time. In piecing events together in a story never before told, Dermot O’Toole had to rely on newspaper accounts of the time, government memorials and burial records of the parish churches of the Isle of Man.

He also obtained considerable material from NLB’s archives enabling him to chronicle a definitive history as to why and how the lighthouses on the Isle of Man were built. Mention is also given to the destruction of the Manx fishing fleet off Douglas in 1787, and that of the Liverpool brig “Lily” in the Calf Sound in 1852. Both were dreadful disasters resulting in great loss of life and cast the darkest shadows over the Island.

For the reader to understand the horror of being shipwrecked on the rocky shores of Langness and its immediate neighbourhood, the author has included a descriptive account of the wreck of the “Royal Charter” and the loss of 460 of her passengers and crew in Liverpool Bay in 1859. It is a chapter that makes grim reading.

The dreaded impressment of Manx seamen during the Napoleonic Wars is also documented; as is the destruction of HMS. “Racehorse” and loss of six of her crew at Langness in 1822. An account of Sir William Hillary’s brave rescue of the crew of the “St George”, wrecked in Douglas Bay in 1830 is also included. It was this incident that led to the formation of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution two years later. Because Derbyhaven forms a natural harbour, and was a port frequented by many hundreds of fishing boats during the early part of the period covered, the book includes a brief chapter dedicated to the Admiralty’s plans in 1810 to make it an Irish Sea safe port of refuge.

17 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

In conversation with... Tony Merriman

Fiona Holmes, Communications Officer/Editor

Tony, along with Brian Muir, is joint space. He also learnt that as a junior Managing Director of R S Merriman member of the team, when it came Ltd, an electrical contractor based to washing your hands, he’d be last in Stromness. The company was in line. With just one basin of water founded in 1946 by Tony and shared between six people, the Brian’s Grandfather, Rupert Stanger Principal Keeper went first, followed Merriman. Following successful by the Keepers, then the engineers tenders by the company, Tony has and lastly him. worked for NLB since 1976. “I looked in the basin and looked In September, I went along to the at my hands and decided against Mull of Galloway where Merriman’s washing them. My dirty hands were just about to begin work on the were cleaner than the murky lighthouse. I chatted with Tony about his experience of working in some of brown water! When you had the the most remote and unforgiving opportunity to have a shower you locations in the UK, for over 42 went on the balcony with two years. buckets of water, one to soap up with and one to rinse off. The sites Tony was 16 years old when he were set up to cater for three started working for the family lighthouse keepers and we business. He did a four year doubled that number and made a apprenticeship combining on the lot more mess!” job work experience with college studies. But when you work for a I asked Tony if there was ever any business that carries out work at tension between themselves and If anyone has an lighthouses, this was no ordinary the Keepers. After all, the work they apprenticeship and from 1976 understanding of what it were doing meant the end of a 200 Tony found himself working on the year tradition of lighthouse keeping was like to be a programme to automate Scotland’s but Tony was quick to point out that lighthouses. Lighthouse Keeper, he never experienced any resentment, in fact, far from it. without actually being a “We worked with NLB technicians Keeper, Tony Merriman all through the automation “The Keepers had work orders programme. In the early days, has a pretty good from 84 George Street to assist in they were the lead people and we the automation programme. We’d idea. He’s worked on supported them, whether that was be there carrying out the work lighthouses for the past pumping water or helping to carry and staying on site and they were stuff up from the landing, or assist really good about it. They had 42 years, many of his with an oil change on the engines, the attitude that if it wasn’t us it best friends at school we all worked together.” would be someone else. Because the Keepers were still working were Keeper’s children Of course, they also worked very 24 hours a day we made sure and his childhood home closely with the Keepers. One of Tony’s earliest memories was at we were respectful and kept the in Stromness was the Bell Rock with his father, where works to a minimum while they he quickly learnt that working and were sleeping. The Keepers looked sandwiched between two living in a confined area meant after all the food aspects so we shore station houses. you had to respect everyone else’s ate well and would always have meals together.”

18 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

“I was actually at the closing ceremony at Fair Isle South with NLB’s electrical engineer. It was very moving and of course the end of an era.”

Tony also worked with NLB technicians on the solarisation programme. This started with minor lights and as technology improved moved onto larger sites.

“We were at the Bell Rock when it was made a hybrid station so it ran on gas and had electrical controls. Along with NLB technicians, we installed, what I believe was the first low powered PLC (programmable logic controller) in the UK. The PLC can monitor and control the light.

“We used to do two weeks on and then we’d have a break and have one or two weeks off. And at that time, we would do high water landings so the ship’s crew would take you ashore in a work boat/rib and the mate in charge of the boat would tell you when to get off. As the boat came up on the wave The Bell Rock Lighthouse he’d tell you to get up the ladder for the rotating lenses and the before the next wave. The expertise light source was more energy of the ship’s crew was second to demanding.” none. But of course, this is what “Because we lived in the Keepers had to do all the time I asked Tony what he felt the main Stromness, we grew up going on and off shift.” challenges are when accessing the sites. with Lighthouse Keepers. After the fire at the Bell Rock in 1987 So even before I started Tony went back to the Bell to solarise “Logistics is the main challenge it. and making sure all the equipment working with NLB it needed for a job gets to the Oban was a huge part of my “We had some interesting times at depot on time. We have to make the Bell Rock. During high winds sure it’s all there to be transported upbringing. Most of my you’d be lying in your bunk and by ship and helicopter. best friends were you would get rocked back and Keepers’s children. It forth when the waves hit the “And the weather can of course be tower.” a factor, even in the summer.” was quite sad because you’d make friends with Unsurprisingly, Tony says that it’s Tony also recalls having to carry developments in technology that equipment for miles across the these kids and then have been the biggest change over moors when they were converting the years. the minor lights. It’s something they they’d get moved so it still occasionally have to do now, but was hard for them and “With the automation programme, thankfully not as frequently! for us.” work on the installations was a lot more involved whereas now it’s Merriman’s is now in its fourth more compact. There are more generation of working for NLB as Tony’s sons and daughters also work integrated controls and there’s in the family business. more efficiency. Back then there were more power requirements

19 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

The ERRAID Residency – 6°WEST

“I saw Erraid next from the stern thwart of an Iona lugger, Sam Bough and I sitting there cheek by jowl with our feet upon our baggage in a beautiful clear northern summer eve.” From Memories and Portraits, Memoirs of Himself, Selections from his Notebook, by Robert Louis Stevenson

20 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

Following a funded residency on keepers’ cottages, now owned the Isle of Erraid, Scottish artist by the Van der Sluis Family, collective 6°WEST have created a set and occupied by the Findhorn of four unique postage stamps and Community. Each artist pursued prints which focus on the life and their individual responses to the works of Robert Louis Stevenson history and topography of this multi Fingal and his connection to the island. layered island landscape, whilst also researching Stevenson texts, WELL KNOWN LOCALLY AS local maps, and the plans of the Dubh Artach lighthouse, to create a From working THE SHORE STATION FOR unique stamp and print. lighthouse tender to TWO STEVENSON luxury hotel! LIGHTHOUSES, SKERRYVORE Each artist’s stamp has an accompanying envelope featuring a AND DUBH ARTACH, Built in 1963 by the ERRAID WAS ALSO WHERE quote from the writer’s work. Letters using these stamps have been Scotstoun-based ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON sent across the world by 6°WEST, Blythswood yard, the Leith PONDERED HIS FUTURE reaching out to artists, curators, registered MV Fingal spent AS A WRITER AND galleries, people and places with a most of its working life as a TRAVELLER. ESCHEWING particular significance in Stevenson’s Northern Lighthouse Board life in order to depict, reflect and THE ENGINEERING CAREER ship working out of Oban amplify the artists’ dialogue with the and Stromness. EXPECTED OF HIM, writer. STEVENSON WENT ON TO USE Now the project to convert THE LANDSCAPES AROUND The ERRAID Residency is a our former ship into a ERRAID AS THE SETTING touring exhibition, which opened in the McTaggart Room at the high-end hotel is nearing TO ONE OF HIS BEST LOVED historic Scottish Art Club as part completion. As promised NOVELS, KIDNAPPED. of this year’s Edinburgh Festival, the ship’s origins are very emphasising Stevenson’s connection much a feature, including Formed in 2011, 6°WEST are artists with both Erraid and Edinburgh. suites named after some Anne Devine, David Faithfull, Alicia of our more famous Hendrick and Mhairi Killin. The stamps and prints are available lighthouses, walls adorned for purchase. Set of four envelopes, The name 6°WEST indicates the one from each artist is £175. with photographs by Ian geographical location of where the Set of four prints, one from each Cowe, carpets with an artists meet to generate new ideas artist framed £295, unframed astragal pattern, a lift that and create space for collaboration £175. Contact 6°WEST at looks like a fresnel lens and with a person, a process, a place, [email protected] much more! The ship is an object or an organisation. Both due to be open for business the island of Erraid and Robert As the Journal goes to print, the early in the new year. Louis Stevenson occupied this artists have just been invited to collaborative space for The ERRAID Samoa which is very exciting. We Residency project, with Stevenson wish them all the best with their becoming the collective’s own writer future plans for the exhibition. in residence. For more information about 6°WEST During their residency 6°WEST have a look at their website: stayed in the original lighthouse https://6degreeswest.blogspot.com/

www.fingal.co.uk

21 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

RLS discovery in Samoa

Neil Adam (left) in Samoa after discovering the mystery object

At NLB we love trying to solve a What I had found was in two pieces. the same ‘logo’ as the thing I found, good mystery especially when it It is clearly an artefact from the old the lighthouse is on a chair back and relates to a member of the Stevenson home. But what is it? on a detail from a stair case. This family. And when Neil Adam seems to confirm that the ‘thing’ is contacted us in September to ask if It appears to be made of cast iron, indeed an NLB item? Maybe it lived we could help identify a mystery clearly has a lighthouse on the front of in the Stevenson home, and made its object, we were happy to try and it and appears to have the letters R.L.S way to Samoa when Robert Louis help. I say ‘try’ as it turned out that on the back, but it may be B.L.S which packed up and closed up the family on this occasion we didn’t have I guess could have been a foundry. Is it home and took it among the 42 tons the answer but nontheless it was a meant to be the Bell Rock Lighthouse, of belongings he had packed up to very interesting story, as Neil Adam do you think, because it seemed to us move to the Vailima house on Samoa explains: it could be? It is about 350 mm long. in 1891?” No one at the museum in Samoa has “My wife and I are musicians and have the faintest idea what it could be. Just as Neil felt he was getting a show about Robert Louis Stevenson Opinions varied from a decorative closer to solving the mystery, he was which we play around the world. piece to be hung somewhere to a cast contacted by his friend, Catherine iron oven door, because it is about that who lives in Australia. Catherine “Today we played at Vailima, Robert size.” wrote: Louis Stevenson’s home in Samoa. I am writing from there. We want your At this point Neil contacted various “Have you solved your Lighthouse help with something extraordinary Stevenson experts and when back in mystery object yet? I reckon I have. that happened. I went walking in the the UK he visited the Courtyard You know when I saw that I garden looking for the old vegetable Marriott Hotel in Edinburgh. Neil recognised it immediately. Now, I garden, and took a wrong turn. You wrote: could be wrong BUT I instantly said have to take your shoes off to walk in “that’s a door off a Beacon Light fuel the house and I was walking barefoot “The saga with the ‘thing’ continues. stove” of which we have one (or two!), on the grass on the edge of the forest. Last night our friends took us to the here and up at Lightning Ridge. It I stubbed my toe on something hard Marriott Hotel, which as you know would make sense would it not? And and looked down. is in the old Stevenson family offices you say it was lying with other bits of on Leith Walk. In the basement metal hardware etc. I reckon it sounds I pulled grass out the way and dug a restaurant there are a lot of black and like it was their dump, like what you piece of metal out with my hands. And white photos which the staff say were find somewhere on the land around then another piece came into view. provided by NLB. Two of them have where old hotels used to stand out in

22 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

the bush. I’ve seen (and dug through) He would have been charmed with it, plenty of them in New South Wales wouldn’t he? The inside of the casting I and this is exactly the kind of objects found has letters which could easily be and treasures you find. The object is B for Beacon L for Lighthouse and S for obviously broken/damaged and if it stove. This feels like a solution!” WAS from a fuel stove, utterly useless so it was put into the dump. It looked like Catherine had solved the mystery and it turned out be an So maybe what we have is the back Australian link and not a Scottish panel to one of these stoves - pictured one! below? They were made in Sydney, Australia, from 1888 by the Metters You can read the full story of the Company, so the timing fits. RLS was mystery object at: https://www. in Sydney at that time, buying things neiladamandjudyturner.com/blog/ for the house, and maybe brought one the-vailima-artefact-what-is-it home for installation in the outside kitchen, less than 20 meters from where I found the casting?

Hebridean Whale Trail

The Hebrides are a pretty special Across the area they have met with place. From dramatic headlands and the communities that live there The Hebridean Whale Trail lighthouses, to white sandy beach- with an eye to create a network of project has been made possible es and bustling harbours, they are whale-watching and whale heritage by a grant from the Coastal brimming with special places where sites, promoting Scotland as one Communities Fund. The Coastal land meets sea; where natural and of Europe’s premier whale-watch Community Fund is funded by cultural heritage are interwoven. destinations. the Government with income from the Crown Estate’s marine Set to launch in 2019, The Hebridean Do you have any stories, assets. It is delivered by the Big Whale Trail will showcase some of anecdotes or photos of Scotland’s Lottery Fund on behalf of UK the best of the west and tell the sto- cetacean heritage that you’d be Government and the Devolved ries that make this area so special. willing to share with the Administrations in Northern So far, the Hebridean Whale Trail Hebridean Whale Trail? To get Ireland, Scotland and Wales. team have been out and about, involved or to find out more please exploring the west coast and visiting visit the website: some of these stunning locations. hwdt.org/the-hebridean-whale-trail Image of common dolphin courtesy of Dr Conor Ryan

23 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

News from the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses

Linda McGuigan, Museum Manager / Michael Strachan, Collections Manager

It’s been a particularly busy Autumn quarter at the Museum, with all sorts of things going on. As we move away from our summer period, focussed on visitors, we now turn more of our attention to looking after the special objects in our wonderful collection.

Towards the end of the summer we focused our efforts on two very special At the museum we favour the theory objects made by Jane Stevenson. We are unsure if this Jane was the that it was his daughter, supporting daughter of Robert Stevenson or if she was his wife, also Jane. In fact, some evidence being her knowledge of sources have even suggested it was his aunt Jane! the Bell Rock: she wrote, by dictation from her father, his account of the building of the Bell Rock Lighthouse and therefore would have had an intimate knowledge of the structure.

Whichever Jane it was, she embroidered two very beautiful flags during the years between the completion of the building of the Bell Rock in 1811 and the presentation of the flags to NLB in 1820. The importance of these two flags cannot be underestimated. One of the flags was made for the Bell Rock library and was used for religious ceremonies on the rock station. The other, we think, was used on the tender Pharos also for religious ceremonies.

The flags have long been displayed high up in the Audio Visual room at the museum, held in place using Velcro which in one instance was applied directly onto the fabric of the flag. Due to lack of support, stress has been placed on the stitching and it was necessary to take the flags down, and have them professionally assessed by a specialist conservator. The good news is the Velcro can be removed, and stabilisation and redisplay of the flags will ensure they will still be here in another 200 years.

We are delighted that we are able to carry out such remedial work on this wonderful collection.

24 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

ARMISTICE EVENT

The other thing which has try it out until the day when we taken up our time has been the pulled back the curtains. We held our planning and execution of our breath! event to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the end of WW1. Although the idea was late in coming to us we put together a “WE ORIGINALLY CAME fabulous community event which was well attended and it became UP WITH AN IDEA TO clear to us that Kinnaird Head Lighthouse still holds a very special SIMPLY EXHIBIT A RED place in the hearts and minds of the LIGHT AT KINNAIRD local community as many of these HEAD BUT THAT iconic lighthouse towers do. DEVELOPED (AS OUR We invited a local church to perform a service of Remembrance with IDEAS ALWAYS DO) our local Royal British Legion Pipe INTO TRYING TO TURN Band and Fraserburgh Boys’ Brigade taking part in the ceremony. Over OUR HYPER-RADIAL 250 local people turned out to join LENS INTO A POPPY.” us at the lighthouse and once again Kinnaird Head became the focus for We felt a bit like the team at Blue an important local event. Peter: our first idea was to use some white sheeting and cut out the shape The Honourable Mrs Katherine of a poppy, but we quickly realised Nicolson, Deputy Lieutenant of that would not work. Our ideas Aberdeenshire and a descendant of developed and we discovered we the builder of Kinnaird Head Castle, could do it with cardboard cut-outs switched on the light and we are and a red homemade filter to change delighted to say that a red poppy the colour of the light, an idea which shone out from Kinnaird Head in some thought would not work. honour of the many who gave their lives for our freedom. Photos of Kinnaird Head Lighthouse We took a chance that this would courtesy of Fat Man Skinny Camera actually work as we were unable to We Will Remember Them!

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Maritime Minister visits Oban

Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani MP, visited our Oban base in August. The Minister was given a tour of the buoy yard including the helicopter landing site, went on board POLE STAR and visited Lismore Lighthouse where she met NLB technicians. The Minister even tried her hand at buoy cleaning.

A huge thanks to everyone at Oban including Captain Mike Smith and the crew of POLE STAR for making the visit such a success.

“It was great to visit the Oban base to see how it delivers these vital navigation aids around the coastline of Scotland and the Isle of Man as well as meeting its highly dedicated and professional staff.”

Nusrat Ghani MP

26 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

Noss Head Lighthouse On your marks, get set, go! Cape Wrath welcomes Highlands Lighthouse provided the setting for two events and Islands Regional MSP this year.

NLB engineers Greg Doctor and David Wilson First off the starting blocks was the along with TRAC Senior Cape Wrath Challenge. The 26.2 mile Project Manager, David route takes runners through some McNish, welcomed of the most spectacular wilderness David Stewart MSP in the UK which includes running (Highland and Islands round the lighthouse. Regional MSP, Shadow Minister for Health) to Noss Head Lighthouse in July.

As part of the visit, David McNish explained the refurbishment work TRAC have been carrying out at Noss Head on behalf of NLB.

From left to right: David McNish of TRAC, David Stewart MSP, NLB’s Greg Doctor and David Wilson

Lighthouse to Lighthouse Charity Walk

We were delighted that Adam and Cape Wrath Lighthouse was Martin the Donkey started their lighthouse to lighthouse charity walk built by Robert at Cape Wrath. They were raising Stevenson in 1828 on the money for homeless charity most north-westerly tip of Centrepoint by walking the length of Western Britain, a distance of around the Scottish mainland. 700 miles. The name of the headland derives, not from the stormy waters of the area but from the Norse word for a ‘turning point’. For here the Norsemen turned their ships For five months, from May to October, they made their way south, to head home. Visitors to following footpaths, bridle ways, the lighthouse can cross the canal tow paths and small roads, Kyle of Durness by ferry boat eventually finishing at Portland Bill Lighthouse in October. (weather permitting)and then travel twelve miles by So far they have raised over £4,000 minibus along a track, which for Centrepoint. If you’d like to read more about Adam and Martin’s in winter can be difficult to journey go to negotiate. www.adamwalks.wordpress.com

27 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

Visitors from Chile Apprentices

In August, we welcomed Ricardo, Juan and Francisco of the Chilean Navy to Scotland. They spent two weeks on PHAROS and at the end of the visit presented us with a won- derful drawing of Faro Cabo Raper. Many of the historic lighthouses of Introducing our new Deck Rating Apprentices Stuart MacBrayne and southern Chile were built by George Cameron MacMillan. They are currently working on PHAROS and will Slight, a Scottish engineer who combine on the job experience with attending City of Glasgow College. moved to Chile in the 1890s

Name change for NAFC Students’ Achievements Recognised R&RNAV

The Research and Radionavigation team (R&RNAV) that supports the three General Lighthouse Authorities of the UK and Ireland will now be known as GLA Research and Development (GRAD).

Find out more about GRAD’s work at https://www.gla-rad.org Scottish User’s Consultative Group

In early November we hosted the annual Scottish User’s Consultative Group (SUCG) at George Street. Each year we sponsor two award categories at the NAFC student The purpose of the SUCG is to bring awards - Deck Cadet and Engineering Cadet. The awards are presented users of our services together to to students who have excelled in their group in terms of academic brief them on NLB’s work but most achievement, excellence in assessment and consistent professional importantly to get direct feedback. performance. There were around 50 represent- atives, one of the best turnouts Congratulations to Ciaran Boyd from Dingwall for winning the we have had in recent years, from Northern Lighthouse Board Prize for an Engineering Cadet and thank across the maritime sector including you to Captain George Sutherland for presenting the award on behalf ferry operators, cruise lines, leisure of NLB. sailors, professional bodies and government. Participants received Congratulations must also go to Huw Baxter from North Wales for briefings from CMAL, UKHO and winning the Northern Lighthouse Board Prize for a Deck Cadet. Huw GRAD as well as from NLB team was away at sea when the ceremony took place and will receive his members. This was followed by an prize when he is next on leave. initial meeting with stakeholders to review NLB’s coastline and gather The NAFC Marine Centre is an educational and scientific institute views at the start of the five yearly and is part of the University of the Highlands and Islands. The Centre AtoN review process. provides a range of services relevant to the maritime industries.

28 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

Doors Open Day 2018

For the second year running, we opened our doors at 84 George Street to the public for Edinburgh Doors Open Day. Last year we had just short of 1,000 visitors - this year we had 1,200 through the door. The displays were more inventive and interactive and made even better by having true subject matter experts there ready to answer questions.

Engineering apprentices, James and Lachlan, created a map that was an adapted shipping chart of the Forth Approach, into which they inserted “Wonderful reminder of the LEDs to represent the Lighthouses. The LEDs were controlled by a micro engineering feat and social PLC to flash to their real life char- contribution of so many men and acters. They also demonstrated two their families” examples of sector lights, a buoy light, a replica of a rotating lens and one of the newer Sealite LEDs. “Fantastic exhibition – great fun and informative for young and old alike” These events take a lot to organise so a massive thank you to all the volunteers for giving up their “Fascinating and highly informative. weekend and making this event such Also well organised” a success. “Great opportunity to see the origins of the important work you do”

RETIREMENT

We said farewell to Alan Gordon on 31 August 2018, when he retired after 38 years with NLB. Alan was appointed as an Electrical Artificer on 15th May 1985, having already been involved in the testing and commissioning of NLB equipment as a contractor for a few years. He was promoted to Electrical Technician on 1st January 1991, and then to Electrical Incorporated Engineer on 7th April 1995.

Alan and his wife Janet are off to a new house in sunny Spain for the next chapter of their lives. We wish Alan and Janet all the best in their retirement.

29 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

Outreach - working with the community to inspire, engage and collaborate

We increased our outreach work in 2018 and are committed to doing what we can to encourage awareness of STEM and the fantastic opportunities that are possible for young people. NLB Technician, Fiona Vick, has been championing STEM through engagement with primary schools and other groups.

In addition to Fiona’s initiatives, Craig Pake linked up with Inveralmond Community High School in West Lothian to use the work of NLB to stimulate and bring to life the importance of STEM. We featured the project in the summer issue of the Journal. Craig will continue his work with Inveralmond pupils in 2019. Commissioner goes back to school NLB Commissioner, Elaine Wilkinson joined up with Fiona Vick in November to talk to pupils at Dervaig Primary School on the Isle of Mull. The pupils enjoyed dressing up and hearing all about lighthouses. Elaine and Fiona Aftter School Club, ‘Schools Out were delighted to receive some lovely thank you letters from the pupils after Oban’ visited our Oban base in the visit. August. Fiona Vick and former staff member, Kirsty Morrison, engaged the children with a presentation on National Library of Scotland lighthouses. It was then all aboard PHAROS with Captain Sean Rathbone who gave the children a tour of the ship.

We are pleased to report that our relationship with the National Library of Scotland (NLS) continues. In November, our Chief Executive spoke about our work to a packed audience of over 100 members of the public at the library on George 1V Bridge in Edinburgh. Earlier in the month, Craig Pake and Fiona Holmes welcomed pupils from Edinburgh’s Basil Paterson Middle School to George Street, along with storytellers Jan Bee Brown and David Campbell. The group are working in partnership with NLS on a lighthouse inspired storytelling project.

30 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

Spotlight on our people Engineers

2018 was the Year of Engineering. This UK wide Government initiative aimed to inspire the next generation of engineers and encourage more young people into exciting and challenging engineering professions. As the year comes to a close, we thought it was time to shine the light on some of our own engineers and find out what advice they’d give to someone thinking about an engineering career.

Tam Cairns Delivery and Planning Manager, Edinburgh

I left school at 16 with pretty My proudest achievement in terms mediocre Standard Grades and of my career was being appointed started an indentured apprenticeship to my present position. My proudest with the National Coal Board (NCB) achievement academically was as a Colliery Fitter. Over the next 15 obtaining my 2nd Degree, a BEng in years I worked at Lady Victoria, Electrical & Electronic Engineering at Bilston Glen and Bilsthorpe Collieries Napier University over five years of completing my apprenticeship and day release. I was especially pleased achieving a variety of supervisory to be awarded the class medal for roles. For the following three years I my course. But the biggest part of worked as a maintenance fitter with my graduation day was sharing it Scottish Power at Cockenzie and with my youngest daughter Kirsty, Methil Power Stations. who was also graduating at Napier with a Degree in Nursing. In 1991 I joined NLB as Mechanical Artificer, a job title normally “For anyone thinking about a career in engineering, associated with naval fraternity. After five years I was appointed I’d say if you believe you’re not clever enough or Mechanical Incorporated Engineer, can’t afford to go to university in pursuit of the a role I’ve fulfilled in various guises over the past 18 years. graduate engineer route, don’t give up. Try and get an apprenticeship and take every advantage of As Delivery and Planning Manager, amongst other things, I’m further education opportunities. I’m proof that you responsible for making sure our can get the rewards you seek in engineering. maintenance and projects’ work focusses on providing efficient I might be biased but in my opinion the best all and available Aids to Navigation (AtoN’s). round engineers and managers are those who have followed the vocational path, while working.”

31 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

Ian McDownie David Wilson Engineering Technician, 2nd Engineer, NLB ships Edinburgh

I joined NLB in February 2018 as I’d say that engineering at its core I got into engineering as I was Second Engineer on POLE STAR. is problem solving so if you enjoy very good at maths. Well I simply problem solving then you can had a great teacher at school and I Throughout my life I have always usually combine it with something loved numbers – still do, I just love wanted to be an engineer, focusing else you enjoy and then make a Sudoku. on engineering as a career from a career out of it. young age. Initially I wanted to join I tried to get into BT as a technician the Royal Navy, before realising but failed as I am colour blind. I I don’t want to be behind a desk “There are so many applied for a job as an electrical and wanted a more hands on different disciplines within consultant when I left school as I had experience. Fortunately there was engineering. You could the necessary o’grades and got the a Merchant Navy training school job – that was in 1975. locally so I went to an open day and combine it with computers from there pursued a career in the either the software or In 1980 I joined NLB as an electrical Merchant Navy. draughtsman. That’s 37 years ago! hardware and become an My engineering heroes have to be I trained as a cadet with Trinity engineer. Like cars, there the Stevensons. Well actually all House and had the opportunity to is automotive engineering. the men who built these amazing experience coastal ships in the form Planes, aeronautical structures in such remote and of Trinity House themselves as well hazardous places. as Scottish Fisheries Protection and engineering. Want to build cruising as a cadet. structures, why not become “The advice I’d give to a a civil engineer? There are young person thinking about After qualifying I started work with Princess Cruises before getting lots of different options.” a career in engineering is that the chance to work for the British every day throws up new So, if someone was thinking about a Antarctic Survey where I have challenges and the rewards just spent the last six years. This job in engineering that would be my gave me the ability to explore the advice combine it with something can be great! Have an open Antarctic region. else that you enjoy. What is it that mind to problem solving they say “Find a job you enjoy and and bounce ideas off other So having seen the South Orkney you will never work a day in your and South Shetland islands why life.” people as this can very often not take the opportunity of a new provide a solution.” challenge and the chance to visit the Northern ones.

32 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

“I love being a STEM Ambassador and encouraging our next generation of engineers to see what a great career choice Fiona Vick ESTF Technician, engineering is. For a young person thinking about a career Oban in engineering, I’d say know you don’t have to have a degree to get into engineering. Apprenticeship schemes are a fantastic and a great way of getting hands on experience and getting into an engineering career. You’re always learning as When I was 18 I got an an engineer, as technology changes so fast.” apprenticeship as a multi-skilled fitter (Mechanical, Electrical, Instrumental and Control) with Scottish Power, working in Cruachan Power Station. Cruachan is buried one kilometre below the ground. I was the first female in engineering to work in the tunnel.

I joined NLB in 2005. A friend had just started working here, and I looked at the organisation and what it did and was really interested in working here.

I applied for two jobs at the same time - Depot Assistant and Electrical Technician and I was successful in getting the ESTF Electrical Technician post.

“Try and get an Craig Pake Planning Engineer, apprenticeship where Edinburgh you can learn as you earn. If in full-time education then look When I left school I gained an ONC in Electronic Engineering, then to try and get served an electrical apprenticeship. Once I’d served my time I looked at relevant practical joining the fire brigade (something I’d always wanted to do), but wasn’t skills in the discipline successful. you are interested in, I then saw an advert for a job with whether it be through NLB as an Electrical/Electronic Artificer, travelling extensively part-time work or throughout Scotland and the Isle of Man carrying out maintenance on volunteering. Keep a Aids to Navigation. Twenty years record of all the later I’m still with NLB! It was the opportunity to develop and learn practical experience new skills whilst travelling around Robert Stevenson would be the Scotland that attracted me to the job. engineer I admire most as he was you get so that it can paramount in the establishment of I’d say my biggest achievement the Bell Rock, the oldest existing be used as evidence to date would be graduating from seawashed lighthouse in the British Napier University with a Bachelor Isles. It’s been operating for over 200 in the future.” of Engineering Degree, with years in one of the most harshest Distinction, in Electrical Engineering. environments imaginable.

33 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

Rebecca Turner Stacey Leask Trish Donaldson Buyer, Supply Chain, Edinburgh Assistant Management Accountant, Compliance Officer, Edinburgh Edinburgh

Before coming to work for NLB in I graduated from Edinburgh Napier In November last year I came to August I worked for the Scottish University in June with an Honours work for NLB as a consultant to Qualifications Authority (SQA). I degree in Accounting with Marketing help to deliver compliance with new joined the SQA straight from school Management, and started with data protections regulations. I have never worked for a more welcoming as a Modern Apprentice. NLB in October as an Assistant Management Accountant. Despite organisation, so when a permanent During my time at SQA I completed only being here for a short time, role came up in August, I jumped at my SVQ in Procurement and my everyone has made me feel very the chance. first level of the CIPS qualifications. welcome and I am looking forward I became a civil servant in 1973 I’d already started my Level 4 to developing my career in such an developing an interest in computing. Diploma in Procurement and Supply amazing organisation. The first using punch tape, geekily when I saw the Buyers job at NLB I think I can probably still read it. advertised. I left SQA having only I previously worked for Tesco for Moving to software development, done two exams so I still have three eight years, during which time I I travelled throughout the UK more to complete. Thankfully NLB undertook different roles, becoming designing and delivering bespoke IT has committed to paying for the rest multi-skilled across the various systems. of the exams! departments of the store. Going from a retail to finance role has been Too late to cut a long story short ….. within six months of moving to a During my free time I enjoy sailing challenging, however I feel I am software house as a Project Manager - my family has a boat in North adapting well and I’m happy to be I became Quality Manager, with Berwick harbour - going out with putting my degree to good use! responsibility for assuring systems my friends and travelling to new developed complied with whatever places. I love to read and currently volunteer from home for a charity that helps required regulations, once being US FDA requirements for a virtual Since joining in August I have been visually impaired and disabled endoscope. I had found my vocation made to feel really welcome and persons to access an online library, and have since worked with a vast I’m looking forward to working with so that they have the ability to use range of organisations, including everyone. books electronically in a way that some I cannot legally name. But suits their individual needs. This is a I can confirm that some of their hugely rewarding role and I love that operatives do say, ‘I could tell you I’m giving others the opportunity to but then I would have to kill you’. enjoy reading as much as I do. Even now I am not sure they were joking! I’m looking forward to the challenges that will arise and being a I have one daughter, Clare a part of the future of NLB. School Depute Head, and two step grandchildren. I enjoy photography and reading and love to drive, especially in my ‘toy’ - a 3 litre MX5 Sport, in which we completed the North Coast 500. I used to fly single engine planes but no longer hold a licence.

34 More than Lighthouses – www.nlb.org.uk

Joanne Thom Stuart MacBrayne Barry Gannon Accountant, Edinburgh Deck Rating Apprentice, NLB Ships Electrical/Electronic Technician, Inverness

I joined NLB in September and I’m from Wick and before joining Originally from Perth, I studied spent my first month at Glasgow NLB in May, I’d been working in Accountancy and Financial Services Nautical College before joining the a manufacturing environment at Napier University. As a graduate I NLV PHAROS in October. During as an electronic test technician joined RBS working in internal audit my first two month trip at sea, I for 11 years. The job varied from on the joint venture with Virgin One. have already visited and seen more assembling and testing underwater In order to pursue my CIMA dreams of Scotland than I had before. cameras to junction boxes for ships. I then worked as a financial analyst at Agilent Technologies where I Growing up just outside I had been studying at college for the completed my CIMA Qualification. Campbeltown, close to the Mull past few years towards my electrical I’ve had a varied career since, of Kintyre Lighthouse, I have and electronic degree, and knew working in Sun Microsystems, always had an interest in life at once completed I needed a change. HBOS, and latterly within the sea and lighthouses. I studied Having contemplated what I wanted construction industry during a at Campbeltown Grammar to do, it became clear at that challenging period managing School before entering fulltime point in time I wanted to get in to the effects of the recession and employment with the local fuel maintenance, and also find a job restricted borrowing from the banks. merchants and shipping agent. where I could do some travelling I’ve also worked as far afield as After spending over 5 years around Scotland. Australia where I lived and worked working as a Fuel Transport Clerk, I in Melbourne also taking the decided it was time to move on and The job I have landed at NLB opportunity at the time to extend my start my career at sea. couldn’t have fitted the criteria any trip to travel within Asia, Australasia better and I feel lucky to say I have and South America. In my time off, I enjoy playing golf found a job that I actually want to at the many great courses in South do. The timing also couldn’t have I enjoy travelling, coastal walks and Kintyre and also play football for been any better as I started the week reading a good book. I also enjoy my local team. I enjoy holidays after my final exam. making and designing small hats, I abroad, especially cruises where I studied with Rose Cory in London can visit various destinations in a In my spare time I like to do a bit of and have had my work featured in a short period of time. sea fishing, whether from the rocks, couple of fashion shows. beach or boat. I plan to try and get I’ve been working in the finance I have really enjoyed my first out and fish in the various locations team in the Northern Lighthouse few months working with NLB while travelling. Board since February 2017 and and look forward to learning and was delighted to have been made progressing further during my a permanent member of staff in apprenticeship. Everyone aboard September. It’s an enjoyable, unique the PHAROS, all staff in Oban and and friendly place to work. I hope I Edinburgh have been extremely can make a positive contribution to welcoming and friendly which has the team going forward. helped me settle quickly into my new employment.

35 Northern Lighthouse Board Journal Winter 2018

PROMOTIONS

Fraser Byers appointed Senior Technician (Secondment) on 6 August 2018.

RETIREMENTS

Alan Gordon, Project Incorporated Engineer

John Turnbull Ross Russell Base Assistant, Oban Mechanical Technician, Oban LEAVERS Archie Whyte, DGPS Engineer I joined NLB as a Base Assistant in I started at NLB in July 2018.When Kirsty Morrison, Operations Oban in September 2018. I have I saw the job advertised I couldn’t Assistant lived in Oban all my life and have resist applying. Lindsay Wilson, HS&E Adviser enjoyed a few jobs since leaving school in 1989. Before joining NLB I was working Fraser Young, Principal for myself doing engineering work Mechanical Engineer Firstly, I worked with Caledonian on various marine projects. These MacBrayne on the Isle of Mull ferry ranged from new build passenger Barri Millar, Project Leader ferries to yachts and fishing boats. as a galley boy and then progressed Michelle Skiffington, to steward over the summer months Electrical/Electronic Technician I was born and bred in Oban. at the age of 16. I then joined I enjoy the great outdoors and Harrison & Clyde (Haven Shipping travelling to new parts of the Company Glasgow) sailing out of country. DEATHS Aberdeen on their stand by vessels patrolling various different Oil Loving the job so far! It is with sadness we have to platforms. report the following deaths: I finally settled at Glensanda Quarry Catherine Harrison Leslie, just up the coast from Oban in 1992 widow of former Lighthouse where I took on various different Keeper, David Leslie positions over the next 27 years. Quentin Stevenson, son of This varied from static plant to Lighthouse Engineer, D Alan mobile plant operator, mobile plant Stevenson trainer/assessor and SVQ assessor Kay Simpson, wife of former and finally holding a Shift Managers Lighthouse Keeper James position for the past ten years. Simpson In my spare time I have enjoyed Robert Scott, former playing shinty for Oban Celtic and Motorman have also coached their under 17 James Lyon, former Assistant team. I also enjoy the odd game of Lighthouse Keeper golf. Ian Robertson, former I am a keen accordion player and Electrical Installation take every opportunity to have a Technician tune and bit of craic. Jimmy Aitken, former Since joining the Oban Depot I have Lighthouse Keeper been made to feel very welcome Rae Phillips, former Principal and look forward to many years with Lighthouse Keeper NLB. Alexander McConnell, former Principal Lighthouse Keeper

36 MarineServices

Over 200 years of service to the mariner In the Northern Lighthouse Board the provision of reliable, cost effective and efficient aids to navigation is our core business. Our skills in this vital field have been built up over 200 years of service to the mariner in the harshest of marine environments. Our equipment, and the service we provide, has to work – navigational safety depends upon it. Accredited to ISO9001 and ISM certified, we are proud to offer this level of service and reassurance to our customers.

Vessel Services Equipped to levels normally only found in much larger vessels, NLV PHAROS and NLV POLE STAR provide versatile platforms for research, sea trials, hydrographic surveying and other marine support services.

Aids to Navigation provision, maintenance and servicing Our commercial AtoN services include provision of temporary or permanent AtoNs, deployment or removal, solarisation, maintenance servicing and refurbishment. Whether marking a port approach, marine renewable energy sites or a decommissioned oil rig, we can design a solution to suit.

Professional Advisory Services The Northern Lighthouse Board provides innovative solutions in the areas of ultra high pressure washing, paint spray booth, electrical & electronic testing and engineering support.

The Northern Lighthouse Board is Certificated to:- Whatever your aids to navigation needs, • BSEN ISO 9001:2015 we can help – we know the environment, • Quality Management Standard understand your requirements and will work

• International Safety Management with you to provide the best possible solution. Code (ISM Code)

• OHSAS 18001:2007 • BS ISO/IEC 27001:2013 More than Lighthouses • BS EN ISO 14001:2015 www.nlb.org.uk The Northern Lighthouse Board is the General Lighthouse Authority responsible for Scotland and the Isle of Man.

PATRON: NORTHERN LIGHTHOUSE BOARD Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal 84 George Street Edinburgh Chairman: Graham Crerar  EH2 3DA Vice Chairman: Mike Brew Chief Executive: Mike Bullock Telephone: 0131 473 3100 Director Of Operations: Captain Phillip Day Fax: 0131 220 2093 Director Of Business Services: Mairi Rae E-Mail: [email protected] Website: www.nlb.org.uk Journal produced and edited by Fiona Holmes @northernlighthouseboard @nlb_uk Recycle – once you have finished with your Journal why not pass it on to a friend or recycle it. The paper used for this publication is a recyclable and renewable product. It has been produced using wood sourced from sustainable managed forests. “In Salutem Omnium” For the Safety of All