An Illustrated History

by Michael A.W. Strachan

Since its completion in 1811, the Bell Rock Lighthouse has been revered as an industrial wonder of the world. The iconic tower was built on the Inchcape Rock, a submerged reef some 12 miles off the coast of Arbroath, and now stands as the oldest sea-washed tower in the world, surviving over 200 years of violent storms and crashing waves.

The construction of the Bell Rock made the name of the Stevenson family, a dynasty of lighthouse engineers who dominated Scottish lighthouse engineering for 150 years. Robert Stevenson was the first man on the reef and the last man off, a personal commitment which saw the Bell Rock’s actual Chief Engineer, John Rennie, almost deleted from the building’s history.

The keepers are now all gone but the Bell Rock continues to show its familiar flash for the safety of all.

This is a very well researched book which describes in detail this amazing feat of engineering. I would very highly recommend it.

Published by:

Amberley Publications
The Hill
Merrywalks
Stroud
Glos
GL5 4EP
www.amberley-books.com

Paperback: 234mm x 165mm, 196 pp illustrated

Price: £14.99