Boat trips to the Bell Rock lighthouse off the coast of Arbroath are providing Angus with a tourism boost with visitors from as far as China and Brazil flocking to the town.
Regular boat trips around the Bell Rock to get a close-up view of Robert Stevenson’s masterpiece are part of this year’s programme of 200th anniversary celebrations.
The Year of the Light is bringing the Bell Rock Lighthouse into the limelight, with hundreds of people travelling to Arbroath to undertake the 12-mile voyage.
“Although it’s still relatively early in the season, we’ve already made many more trips to the Bell Rock than usual,” said Alex Smith, skipper of two of the boats, The Girl Katherine II and Ultimate Predator, which regularly takes visitors on trips.
“Lots of local people have made the trip to the Bell Rock Lighthouse, which is such an integral part of our horizon, as well as visitors from all over the UK and as far away as China and Brazil.
“Last week, I took a party from Newcastle out to the Bell Rock who had made the journey to Arbroath specifically to visit the Bell Rock Lighthouse during its bicentenary year.
Mr Smith revealed that almost everyone he takes to the Bell Rock is amazed by how Robert Stevenson and his team managed to build a 115-feet high tower on a rock that is totally submerged by the North Sea twice a day.
“It’s only when you see the Bell Rock Lighthouse at close quarters that you appreciate just what a feat of engineering it is and just how beautiful it is,” he said.
“The Bell Rock Lighthouse is something everyone should witness up close if at all possible and, thanks to Arbroath Rotary Club, everyone we take to the Bell Rock during the Year of the Light receives a special certificate to commemorate their visit.”
As well as the various boats in Arbroath Harbour offering regular trips to the Bell Rock, this summer, there will also be a rare opportunity to sail to the Bell Rock on a Fifie, the fishing boats that sailed from Arbroath over 100 years ago.Reaper”On July 28, July 29 and July 30, we’re planning to sail the Reaper to the Bell Rock,” said Ian Murray, skipper of the Reaper, which was used in the filming of the Bell Rock episode of the BBC’s Seven Wonders of the Industrial World.
“On each sailing, we’re hoping to take 12 guests with us, who, for an agreed donation, will experience a unique three-hour round trip to the Bell Rock and back.”
John Firn, chairman of the Scottish Fisheries Museum Boats Club, stressed that all sailings are weather dependent.
“This is for two reasons,” he said. “We want our guests to enjoy a pleasant experience on this working boat and we also have to protect our 109-year-old boat, which is one of 40 core vessels in the UK’s National Historic Fleet.”
Plans are under way to open the boat to the public during its time in Arbroath.
“We will also be happy to consider requests to host onboard receptions on the Reaper, which is a wonderful location for a special occasion,” he added.For more information about boat trips to the Bell Rock or the Year of the Light, or to download the programme of special events, visit www.angusahead.com/bellrocklighthouse. For more information about the Reaper’s sailings to the Bell Rock, call John Firn on 079 1936 1689.