The grandfather of the famous
author Robert Louis Stevenson who wrote the popular books 'Treasure
Island', 'Kidnapped', 'The Strange Case of Doctor Jekyll and Mr Hyde',
designed the Butt of Lewis lighthouse. On Tuesday the 31rst of March 1998
the lighthouse was switched from being a manned to a monitored lighthouse.
Princess Anne carried out the official switchover. The tower is 37 metres
high. The lighthouse is built with red bricks, which make it look a lot
nicer than some of the plain lighthouses, and I think it gives it an old
atmosphere. There are winding stairs all the way to the top of the
lighthouse.
The house next to it where the
keeper used to stay is deserted. You would not be allowed into the house
or the lighthouse, because without a keeper it is closed. The view over
the cliff is amazing especially on a wild day when the waves are crashing
on the rocks. It is very dangerous though and everybody should take the
best of care there.
It is known as the windiest
place in the United Kingdom. It was built on the farthest northern tip of
the Isle of Lewis. The closest place to the lighthouse could be the North
Pole! It flashes white light every five seconds.
