Northern Lighthouse Board

17/07/2026

Jeri is Retained Lightkeeper (RLK) for the Caithness area. Find out about her role as an RLK and how her family connections with NLB inspired her to apply for the job.

10/07/2026

Allan and Darren

Allan on the left is Deck Rating Apprentice with NLB. He started his 2 year apprenticeship in September 2025 and combines sea training on PHAROS and POLE STAR with shore training at City of Glasgow College - Faculty of Nautical and STEM.

Assistant Bosun Darren (Daz) has worked for NLB since 2013. We think they make a great team!

10/07/2026

J U L Y . L I G H T H O U S E

Scurdie Ness Lighthouse is located on a headland on the south side of the River South Esk estuary, Montrose, Angus.

*Lighthouse Facts*
Year Established: 1870
Engineers: David and Thomas Stevenson
Character: Flashing (3) White every 20 seconds
Range: 20 nautical miles

Photo by Mark, Business Support Officer for our 2026 Lighthouse Calendar.

09/07/2026

M A R I T I M E . S A F E T Y . W E E K

NLB has been working with Coastguard Rescue Teams in Scotland from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to undertake casualty rescue exercises from lighthouses for over a decade. In May, the Isle of Man Coastguard joined us to take part in a rescue exercise at Tiumpan Head Lighthouse.

NLB staff who visit lighthouses carry out specialist working at height training, which includes casualty rescue techniques. But in the event of a more complex emergency situation, it's reassuring that HM Coastguard and Isle of Man Coastguard are trained and ready to help.

You can read about the Tiumpan Head exercise in our latest Summer Journal https://www.nlb.org.uk/journals/




Department for Transport

09/07/2026

SHETLAND OPEN DAYS CANCELLED

Unfortunately, we are having to cancel the Open Days on POLE STAR, due to take place on 11 & 12 July at Scalloway Harbour.

The vessel’s buoy crane requires an urgent warranty repair by the manufacturer. The work will need to be completed at NLB’s main operating base at Oban to ensure the necessary technical and logistic support is immediately available. This will allow the vessel to return to operations at the earliest opportunity.

Thank you to all those who were planning on visiting the ship. We are extremely disappointed to have to cancel but hope to reschedule when POLE STAR visits Shetland in the coming months.

The Northern Lighthouse Board's new state-of-the-art vessel POLE STAR will be berthed alongside Scalloway Harbour, Shetland, later this month

06/07/2026

OPEN DAYS ON POLE STAR!

Location: Scalloway Harbour, Shetland
Saturday 11 July
10am – 12pm
1pm – 4pm

Sunday 12 July
10am – 12pm
1pm – 4pm

We're inviting members of the public to visit our new state-of-the-art vessel POLE STAR during open days in Scalloway, Shetland, on Saturday 11 July and Sunday 12 July.

The Northern Lighthouse Board's new state-of-the-art vessel POLE STAR will be berthed alongside Scalloway Harbour, Shetland, later this month

06/07/2026

Maritime Safety Week kicks off today and this year’s theme is ‘Every day, everyone: Making maritime safety routine.’ Throughout the week we’ll highlight the critical role we play in keeping our seas safe for all mariners.

But first a reminder about what we do…. We have provided a vital safety service to mariners since 1786 and are responsible for the superintendence and management of all lights, buoys and beacons within Scottish and Isle of Man waters. Our service makes a significant contribution to the prevention of accidents and incidents around the coastline, safeguarding not only lives and property, but also protecting our precious marine environment.

We currently operate and maintain 208 lighthouses and 174 buoys as well as providing radio aids to navigation (AtoN). We are also responsible for ensuring other AtoN providers in our area, such as port authorities, are conforming to international standards.

Our principal concern is with safety: the safety of the mariner at sea; the safety of our own people employed in or around some of the world’s most dangerous coastlines; and the safety of the environment in which we, and those who come after us, must live and work.



Department for Transport

01/07/2026

On World Marine Aids to Navigation Day it's very apt the Leuchie Lighthouse Trail launches today! 15 giant lighthouse sculptures will light up the streets, parks and open spaces of North Berwick in East Lothian to celebrate the 15th anniversary of Leuchie.

Leuchie is a charity supporting individuals and families living with neurological conditions such as MS, MND, Parkinson's and stroke through short respite breaks. The trail finishes on 21 August, when the sculptures will be auctioned to raise funds for Leuchie.

01/07/2026

Today 1 July is World Marine Aids to Navigation Day. Established by IALA, the International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation, it highlights the critical role of maritime infrastructure - such as lighthouses, buoys, and beacons - in ensuring safe navigation and protecting our precious marine environment.