Keepers of the Northern Lights

For over two centuries the keepers of the Northern Lighthouse Board kept their watch over some of the most desolate and dangerous positions around the coast of Scotland. Over that time the service changed dramatically from a handful of pioneers with primitive lamps into a small army of professionals, embracing cutting edge technologies. Through it all they had one constant duty - to shine their lights out to sea from sunset to sunrise. Light-keeping was more than just a job; it was a way of life to be lived or endured by the whole family who went where they were told, often to the most remote corners. It was unique, and has now been lost to modernization with the full-scale automation of the service since 1998. Twenty-five years later, as the Scottish light-keeper comes closer to extinction, it becomes more and more important to remember them, their service, commitment and sacrifice, for the Safety of All. In Salutem Omnium.

Fraserburgh born, Michael A. W. Strachan graduated from the University of Aberdeen in 2010 with an MLitt in Modern Historical Studies, focusing mainly on Scottish and Irish studies. Since 2012 he has been involved with the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses, currently serving as Collections Manager and tasked with caring for a nationally recognized collection of artifacts.