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A Bottle With 132 Years Was Found Inside the Walls of a Scottish Lighthouse, Containing a Message That Reveals Secrets and Stories of the Region’s Maritime Past
In southwestern Scotland, an intriguing discovery at the Corsewall Lighthouse captured everyone’s imagination. Engineers performing repairs on the historic structure stumbled upon a bottle hidden in a cavity of the wall. Inside, a message written in 1892 revealed details about a project to renovate the lighthouse lens.
This lens, installed over 130 years ago, is still in use. The discovery brought an unusual connection between generations of workers dedicated to ensuring safety in the treacherous waters of the Irish Sea.
John Harris / Corsewall Lighthouse Hotel
A Message From the Past at the Lighthouse
Written with ink and care in cursive, the note documented the names of the engineers and workers responsible for installing a new lantern in the lighthouse. They detailed the project, which lasted from May to September 1892, and mentioned that the light was re-lit on a Thursday night, September 15.
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The bottle, sealed with a cork and wrapped in wire, was carefully hidden. Decades later, its contents resurface, offering a glimpse into the past for the current team. Below is the note found translated into English.
Here is the full text of the note:
Corsewall Light and Fog Signal Station, September 4, 1892.
This lantern was erected by Engineer James Wells, John Westwood Millwright, Engineer James Brodie, and Worker David Scott, from James Milne & Son Engineers, Milton House Works, Edinburgh, during the months of May to September and re-lit on Thursday night, September 15, 1892.
The following keepers at the station at that time: John Wilson, Director, John B Henderson, First Assistant, John Lockhart, Second Assistant.
The lens and machine being provided by James Dove & Co. Engineers Greenside Edinburgh and erected by William Burness, John Harrower, James Dods. Engineers of the above company.
A Gem of Scottish Navigation
The Corsewall Lighthouse, established in 1817, rises 34 meters high on an isolated peninsula. For centuries, its light has guided vessels along the treacherous rocky coast. Until 1994, keepers lived on-site, operating the structure manually. Today, the lighthouse is monitored remotely from Edinburgh by the Northern Lighthouse Board.
In addition to its vital function, the lighthouse is also a historical and tourist attraction. The former keeper’s quarters have been transformed into a hotel and restaurant. Visitors can choose from rooms in the original building or modern accommodations on the 20-acre grounds. The property offers stunning views and is home to wildlife, including deer, seals, dolphins, and even a sea otter.
“It’s a hidden gem,” said John Harris, co-owner of the hotel, in a 2021 interview. He highlighted the unique rock formations and the rich biodiversity surrounding the site.
The Lens That Resists Time
The lens mentioned in the 1892 message still operates perfectly, emitting a flash of white light every 30 seconds. For Euan Murray, whose family has historical ties to the lighthouse, the discovery reinforces the importance of the work done by the engineers of that time. “Even in the era of satellite navigation, what they did is still completely relevant today,” noted Murray.
The Future of the Message
Currently, the bottle and the historical note are preserved in the offices of the Northern Lighthouse Board. However, after the completion of the renovations at the lighthouse, the engineers plan to return it to its original hiding place. Beside it, a new bottle will be placed, containing a message from the current team.
“Perhaps, at some point in the future, we will be able to communicate with someone else,” reflects Barry Miller, emphasizing the timeless connection between generations.
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