Shining a light on beautiful beacons
THEY stand in their desolate grandeur, beacons of a bygone era surrounded by the stark beauty of coastal extremes.
But now Scotland’s isolated lighthouses have been captured in a series of stunning photographs for a new book which also catalogues their illuminating history.
While writing his guide, called Following The Light, author and keen amateur photographer Peter Gellatly visited many of Scotland’s 200 major lighthouses – a task made especially difficult by the fact he cannot drive.
The college lecturer had to plan his trips with military precision, travelling by bus and boat, train and taxi, bike and on foot.
Fair Isle South, the last lighthouse to be automated, and Lismore under a rainbow, are a couple of his favourite images. And he stayed in Turnberry Lighthouse, on the edge of the celebrated Ayrshire golf course, which has been was converted by Donald Trump into suites costing up to £7,000 a night. It is one of several Scots lighthouses which have been turned into holiday accommodation. Mr Gellatly, 45, of Coatbridge, Lanarkshire, said: ‘Being able to holiday at the lighthouses opened up new adventures. ‘North Ronaldsay, which is the tallest land-based one in the UK, was my first about four years ago. I got a tour and it was such a stunning place it encouraged me to visit more and more.’