Stories - Skerryvore

Of all the west coast lighthouses one is feared and revered more than the rest. Skerryvore lies off the south west coast of Tiree and is well known for its fierce waves. Before serious recording began at least 31 wrecks were known on the reef that the lighthouse stands on. Captain McEachran of the Pole Star was recorded in a BBC documentary commenting on the danger of the site. He records one occasion when three light keepers were waiting for the arrival of the Pole Star for resupply. The men were all waiting on the derrick gantry when a freak wave washed over it engulfing all three. When the wave had partially receded he could see only one man clinging to the derrick and he feared the worst. The wave eventually receded revealing one man hanging onto the underside of the grate, and a second clinging from the edge. In McEachran's words 'they were the luckiest men alive!'