Northern Lighthouse Board

22/10/2026

Congratulations to Fingal Hotel for being crowned Europe's Leading Boutique Hotel and Scotland's Leading Boutique Hotel at the World Travel Awards.

Owned and operated by The Royal Yacht BRITANNIA Trust, Fingal is a former Northern Lighthouse Board vessel that served Scottish and Manx lighthouses for over 36 years. She was stationed for 30 years in Oban and then for 6 years in Stromness, ferrying lighthouse keepers, essential supplies and maintenance staff to lighthouses, as well as undertaking repairs to navigational aids.

Now a luxury hotel, her rich maritime heritage has been retained throughout with all 23 cabins named after famous Stevenson lighthouses. Well worth a visit! Here are some before and after photos.

20/10/2026

We are looking to appoint a Non-Executive Director (Commissioner). This is a unique role, which offers the exciting opportunity to contribute to the strategic leadership and governance of NLB in the delivery of our critical safety service to all mariners.

You must be a qualified Master Mariner (or Royal Navy equivalent) as you will serve on the Navigation and Operations Committee as a Navigation Assessor. You must therefore have an understanding and appreciation of contemporary navigational practices, procedures and challenges. Knowledge and experience of operating in Scottish and Manx waters would be advantageous.

Co-opted Commissioners serve for a three-year term with the option of renewal subject to performance. The successful candidate is expected to take up their appointment in April 2027 with a time commitment of approximately 20 days annually, including time at sea, on NLB business.

Closing date for applications 9 November. For more information and to apply see our website https://www.nlb.org.uk/vacancies/co-opted-commissioner-non-executive-board-member-2/

16/10/2026

J O I N . O U R . T E A M

Working for the Northern Lighthouse Board can offer a rewarding career that could take you to some of the most remote and beautiful parts of Scotland and the Isle of Man. We're currently recruiting for:

*Principal Electrical Engineer*
*Chief Engineer on NLB Ships*
*Electrical & Mechanical Technicians*
*Co-opted Commissioner – Non Executive Board Member*

For all the details and to apply please see our website https://www.nlb.org.uk/who-we-are/vacancies/

14/10/2026

O C T O B E R . L I G H T H O U S E

The Bass Rock Lighthouse is situated on the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth about 3 miles northeast of North Berwick. The rock is an important nesting ground for seabirds.

*Lighthouse Facts*
Year Established: 1903
Engineer: David A Stevenson
Character: Flashing (3) White every 20 Seconds
Range: 10 nautical miles

Photo by Niki for our 2026 Lighthouse Calendar.

Our 2027 calendar is now on sale from our online shop https://www.nlb.org.uk/shop/product/2023-lighthouse-calendar/

08/10/2026

Did you know the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse is open to visitors at certain times of the year? Tours are run by Mull of Galloway Lighthouse Trust. Well worth a visit!

07/10/2026

02/10/2026

This morning’s view from POLE STAR off the Buckie coast.

📸 Steven, Assistant Bosun

30/09/2026

Well, that was quite a weekend! Our ships’ crews were carrying out buoy maintenance and heli ops, technicians were getting kit ready for the Isle of May, some of the team in Edinburgh were welcoming visitors to HQ for Doors Open Day and meanwhile over at BBC Radio 3 the station dedicated the weekend to lighthouses!

Ardnamurchan Lighthouse & Visitor Centre

26/09/2026

25/09/2026

W H E R E . T H E . L I G H T . S I N G S

BBC Radio 3 has commissioned a unique live broadcast project involving all three General Lighthouse Authorities of the UK & Ireland Trinity House Commissioners of Irish Lights and us!

Where the Light Sings is on tomorrow (Saturday). From 8am to 8pm Radio 3 presenters will be travelling around Britain's coastline in a twelve-hour live relay of music, stories and sound from six lighthouses, including Ardnamurchan Lighthouse & Visitor Centre.