WORK TO spruce up the 200-year-old Bell Rock Lighthouse off Arbroath has been completed, the Northern Lighthouse Board said yesterday.

The structure—which lies 11 miles offshore—has helped thousands of ships navigate the treacherous waters off the east coast of Scotland over the years.

However, the hostile environment in which the lighthouse is situated means it requires regular maintenance to ensure it remains in full working order.

Captain David Davidson of the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) said contractors had been carrying out painting work at the lighthouse in recent days.

He said the NLV Pharos—a ship operated by the NLB—had been stationed at the Bell Rock for the past week to help in the clearing up operation following the completion of the contract.

The Pharos was anchored off Broughty Ferry on Wednesday to allow for a change of crew before the ship returned to its home base.

Cpt Davidson said, “She had been working at the Bell Rock all week as a contractor had been carrying out a painting operation at the Bell. The Pharos and our helicopter were clearing the site after they had finished.

“The reason she was sitting off Broughty Ferry was she had completed all operations and was carrying out a crew change before departing for the west coast. Oban is the home port for Pharos.”