Bicentenary plans to illuminate history of Bell Rock lighthouse

It has been named as one of the seven wonders of the industrial world and credited with saving the lives of countless sailors.

Now the light is being shone on Bell Rock lighthouse with a year-long celebration to mark its bicentenary.

When it was built out in the North Sea two centuries ago, the structure was universally hailed as "the most outstanding engineering achievement of the 19th century".

The distinctive white lighthouse stands on the treacherous sandstone reef off the Angus coast as a beacon of hope for sailors - the world's oldest surviving sea washed lighthouse.

Next year's celebrations will mark the bicentenary of the completion of the construction of the architectural marvel, said to have saved the lives of generations of seafarers.

On 1 February, 2011, it will be exactly 200 years since the first beacon of light shone out from the 100ft lighthouse, warning passing vessels of the dangerous reef lurking below the waves, 11 miles east of Arbroath.

In 2011, the Angus town is to play host to a series of events to mark the "Year of Light".

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A special steering committee has been set up by the Arbroath area partnership to plan the celebrations.

Harry Simpson, the chairman of the steering group, said yesterday: "2011 is going to be a memorable year for everyone with a connection to Arbroath or to the Bell Rock, whether they live in the town, their ancestors were from Arbroath or worked on the Bell Rock, or if they've ever wondered about the flashing light that's illuminated Arbroath's horizon for the last 200 years.

"We're looking forward to welcoming visitors from across the world to Arbroath to our celebrations of the 200th anniversary of the completion of the Bell Rock lighthouse."

The events already planned include a spectacular firework display, a memorial service to those who have lost their lives on the Bell Rock over the centuries and a yacht regatta.In addition, there will be regular boat trips around the Bell Rock, where, legend has it, the 14th Century Abbot of Aberbrothock - Arbroath's original name - gave the rock its eponymous name by warning sailors of the danger of the reef by placing a bell on what was then known as Inchcape rock.

The bell is said to have lasted for only one year as a warning to shipping before it was stolen by a Dutch pirate.

David Taylor, the great-great-great-grandson of Captain David Taylor, who was closely involved in the construction of the lighthouse, has set up a website dedicated to the history of Bell Rock.

He explained: "The Bell Rock lighthouse is considered one of the world's greatest feats of engineering and has protected the lives of innumerable seafarers.

"Before the lighthouse was built, the Bell Rock had claimed countless vessels.

"Following the great storm of 1799 on the east coast of Scotland, at least 70 vessels came to grief, if not on the Bell Rock itself, certainly on the neighbouring shores trying to avoid it.

"However, it wasn't until 1806, and not before the loss of the 64 gun man-of-war HMS York with all hands on board in 1804, that permission to build the lighthouse was finally granted."

John Rennie was appointed as chief engineer to the project by the Northern Lighthouse Board.

A young Robert Stevenson, who was to become the most celebrated lighthouse designer of the age, was appointed resident engineer and assistant.