Princess reopens Bell Rock museum

THE Princess Royal, patron of the Northern Lighthouse Board, yesterday officially reopened the Signal Tower Museum at Arbroath in Angus, refurbished as part of the "Year of the Light" celebrations to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

The 450,000 refurbishment programme includes new permanent displays on the construction of the famous building, 11 miles off the Angus coast.

The signalling ball mechanism on the Signal Tower has been restored as part of the project and will be used on special occasions in the town.

Councillor Jim Millar, the convener of Angus Council's neighbourhood services committee, said: "As a pharologist - someone who studies lighthouses - the Princess Royal understands the importance of the Bell Rock, not just to Arbroath but to the world."

He added: "This major refurbishment gives a lasting benefit, not only to the people of Arbroath and Angus, but also to the many visitors from all over the world we welcome to the area each year.

"Besides significant refurbishment of the building itself, the Signal Tower Museum project has created new permanent displays on the construction of the Bell Rock lighthouse - including a scale model - trade and fishing from Arbroath harbour and the lives of local mariners."