Shedding light

John J. Watson writes: “At the Dundee’s Fraternity of Masters and Seamen meeting recently, an old friend, Reg Cunningham, referred to my little article you published a couple of weeks ago on the Buddon and May Island lighthouses.

“He provided me with the following incredible information that had resulted from researches into his family tree, particularly as regards the Isle of May.

“The Isle came into the possession of Allan Lamont in about 1570 and acquired later by the local Crail laird, Alexander Cunningham of Barns, who, as feuer, conceived the idea of a lighthouse on the island and he had erected there the first known in 1636.

“The Cunninghams retained the island for nearly a century. It appears that Alexander, who held a crown charter for lands in West Barns, had first proposed in 1616 that a light or beacon should be placed on May Island. In order to avoid conflict with local gentry he petitioned the Privy Council.

“A crown charter was issued on April 23 1636 in favour of Cunningham and his son. The lighthouse was a coal fire in a brazier on top of a round stone building until 1816 when a conventional light was erected.

“The right to collect dues from ship owners for upkeep of the old light remained in the Cunningham family until May Island was sold in 1714.

“The original structure still survives, although reduced in height, and is the oldest lighthouse in Britain. What gems come one’s way through the pen!”