Memories, images and films

Thank you to Bressay History Group for a lovely evening!

With Bressay Lighthouse as our starting theme, together we looked at archive images and films which sparked conversations and reminisces of life on the isle in times-gone-by.

There were lots of interesting themes that emerged. Collected historical images highlighted many equipment changes at the lighthouse, from installation of the foghorn, through to electrification and automation in more recent times.

Many keepers and their families also came and went over the years, having a huge effect on the island. Keepers employed by the Northern Lighthouse Board moved lighthouses every 3 or 4 years, and their families moved with them, living at shore stations. Many babies were born at lighthouses and in conversation with people here on Bressay, it has emerged that several locals grew up as lighthouse children.

We shared fascinating stories of living conditions at lighthouse accommodation and heard how the local school benefitted from new young families arriving. It’s clear that lighthouse families were a lively presence too, contributing their practical and creative skills and enthusiastically taking part in social events.

The lighthouse provided important employment on the island too, with many local men being ‘occasional keepers’. Now the Bressay light is a quiet place, its tower unlit and its engine room silent - but it’s clear that at one time the place would have been a centre of activity.

Over the next few weeks, I hope to continue speaking to individuals and collecting archive material, tracing stories and themes which will shape drawing workshops with local children later in the spring.

Bressay Lighthouse by James Valentine (1815 - 1879). Image © National Galleries Scotland.

In association with Shetland Arts and Culture Collective. Find out about other Culture Collective projects in Shetland here.

Culture Collective is a national programme supported by Creative Scotland exploring ways of working together, supporting artists and embedding the arts within community recovery from the effects of Covid-19. Shetland, Orkney and the Outer Hebrides are working together as an ‘island group’ to share their experience and contribute to their communities.

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