FACTS & FIGURES


1788 91


year established


elevation in metres


T e old light still remains inside the structure


have included the infamous Flannan Isles Lighthouse in the Hebrides, where three keepers vanished in 1900 with their table still set for dinner. Conspiracy theorists claim everything from aliens to pirates were responsible for their disappearance, but most think they were swept away by a huge wave, possibly while trying to help each other. Their bodies were never found. Less of a mystery is how being a SELECT Member helps Wullie and his team keep performing this invaluable work around the coastline of Scotland. “Being a Member of SELECT


defi nitely helps us, as the NLB put their staff through inspection and testing training too,” he said.


“TRAC Engineering, who are the main contractors, wouldn’t accept McMasters unless we were Members of SELECT.”


Homeward bound


With our assessment successfully completed and no issues found, NLB’s Retained Lighthouse Keeper (RLK) suddenly arrived to carry out some routine checks of his own and make sure that we were okay. His appearance allowed Wullie to ask a favour – to drive me back up the cliff


Satnav shows the route home


to civilisation, and my car, while he fi nished off his work in the lighthouse. Leaving Wullie to make sure the candles keep burning, the RLK duly


Darren had plenty to inspect on site


24 12 15


range in nautical miles


tower height in metres


steps to top of tower


escorted me back, with his knowledge of the road proving invaluable. His top tip? “Keep it in second all the way, even on the tightest switchback.”


From there, the trusty satnav said it would be more than fi ve hours to Edinburgh. Timing was everything as my next appointment was a meeting of the Edinburgh Electrical Society at 6:30pm. Thankfully I made it – just in time for my second illuminating engagement of the day.


CABLEtalk JUNE/JULY 2020 39


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