Rubh' Re Lighthouse was established in 1912 and the engineers were David and Charles Stevenson. The station is located on the West Coast of Sutherland at the entrance of Loch Ewe near Melvaig looking out across the Minch. It was the scene of a spectacular rescue during World War II when an American Liberty ship the William H. Welch missed the entrance to Loch Ewe and went ashore at Black Bay in storm and darkness, two lightkeepers set out to the rescue across peat bogs in slush and snow, and there can be no doubt that many of the fourteen survivors out of a crew of 74 owed their lives to these men. The station was automated in 1986.

The beautiful picture is by George Gilmour and was featured in the 1996 Northern Lighthouse Board Calendar.

An exciting book about 31 of the best scottish lighthouses explained in insightful text and magnificent colour photographs is available here.

If you would like to know what it is like to buy a Scottish lighthouse then check out The Last Lighthouse.

You can find more articles in the archive under Lighthouse Beacons From Scotland.