Arbroath congregations gather to remember the men who built the Bell Rock Lighthouse

Congregations from churches across Arbroath have joined for a special ceremony to mark the 200th anniversary of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

Held in the courtyard of the recently reopened Signal Tower Museum, the guests of honour at The Light of the World Service included the lighthouse’s last ever keeper John Boath and Angus provost Ruth Leslie Melville.

Led by the Rev John Cuthbert of St Mary’s Episcopal Church, the event also incorporated the dedication of a plaque to those who had helped build the lighthouse particularly those who had died before its completion in 1811.

Hailed as one of the seven wonders of the industrial world, Robert Stevenson’s structure is the oldest surviving sea-washed lighthouse in the world.

Mr Cuthbert said it was “only fitting” to mark the occasion with an ecumenical service as Stevenson had prayed every morning during the construction of the Bell Rock.

Harry Simpson, chairman of the Year of the Light Steering Committee, said the event was “very moving” particularly for those descended from the men who built the Bell Rock.