1868 Work begins on Dubh Artach lighthouse west of Mull

Dubh Artach is a name that terrified mariners in the Victorian age. It was known as the 'black rock' because it stuck out of the sea and threatened any mariner that sailed too close. Thomas and David Stevenson created this light, which was established in 1872. It was completed with granite brought from nearby Earraid in the Ross of Mull and many of the individual stones weighed over two tons. Barracks were built next to the construction site and on several occasions rocks or even part of the barracks were washed away by the power of the sea. Dubh Artach was one of the first lighthouses to be built with the aid of steam engines thus relieving the men of the strain of heavy physical work.