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The
new light was finally lit on 10th October 1789,
along with that at North Ronaldsay, marking
the completion of the first four Scottish lights.
Local tradition recounts that a Janet Souter
from Peterhead was appointed housekeeper at
the light at this time. This seems unlikely
as the keeper was a married man with a family,
and there is no account of her in the records
of the Northern Lighthouse Board. It is more
probable that Janet came to be housekeeper to
Kenneth Campbell at the big house, returning
with him from one of his trading visits to the
East Coast. Whatever the case, she became his
mistress, and their son, Alexander Campbell,
was born c.1794. Shortly after this Janet was
married to Murdo Morrison of Kyles Scalpay,
the village just across the sound. It is said
that Kenneth Campbell had become a member of
the Church and had arranged the marriage to
lessen the scandal. Alexander Campbell joined
the lighthouse service in 1816 when he was 21,
probably serving under Alexander Reid at Eilean
Glas. In 1831 he was appointed Principal Keeper
there and fulfilled this position until 1852
when he moved to Stornoway to take charge of
the new lighthouse at Arnish Point.
In
1923 the old station was rebuilt, with the addition
of a tower, under the direction of Robert Stevenson,
Smith's son-in-law and successor.
 Jumping
to the late 1950's early 1960's when the Butler
family was resident and Allan Butler (born:
Stranraer, Wigtonshire 12 May 1934 - died: Solihull,
Nr. Birmingham, West Midlands 11 May 1999 )
was the lighthouse keeper. On 15 June 1960 Allan's
wife Pat gave birth to their son Arthur at the
lighthouse. The image to the left was taken
by Pat Butler in the spring of 1960. Below are
a couple more images (click to enlarge) sent
to us by the Butler family - many thanks Rob
(the child pictured). My favorite photo is the
last showing Allan Butler with his pride and
joy, his motorbike - a BSA 650cc Goldflash (what
a beauty - Ed.). The story goes that he
was the only person ever to ride across the
"moor" on a motorbike and according
to his son Rob it was a tale his father enjoyed
telling!
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