By Andrew Jarret

THE SPECTACULAR electrical storm that arced over Arbroath on Tuesday night has affected the Signal Tower museum.

The museum at Beacon Green, near the harbour, suffered damage after a direct hit from a lightning strike overnight.

The building itself received minimal damage from the strike, but electrical systems in the museum have been badly affected.

A spokesman for the council which operates the museum, said, “Angus Council has put measures in place today to ensure the safety and security of the building and its collection.

“The museum will be closed to the public for a few days while the extent of the damage is assessed and repairs undertaken.”

The complex of Regency-era buildings which comprise the museum were built in 1813, and until 1955 formed the shore station and family living quarters for the keepers of the Bell Rock Lighthouse.

The lighthouse and shore station were built by Robert Stevenson, founder of the famous dynasty of lighthouse engineers.

The museum displays reflect the past lives of the keepers’ families and the community of Arbroath and district. Other displays tell the story of Arbroath’s fishing heritage and of its great Industries of textiles and engineering.

At the height of the storm at around 9.30pm on Tuesday, monsoon-like rains lashed the town and lightning strikes had smokers standing outside the pubs in the Fit o’ the Toon scrambling for cover.

One patron of the Commercial, in Old Shorehead, said, “I don’t scare easily but that was pretty frightening.

“One strike looked as though it hit the water behind Mackay’s boat yard but I guess that could have been the one that struck the museum.

“One of my friends was taking no chances and hid in the pub’s toilet for the duration.”

It is understood that a number of local offices’ computer and telephone systems were also affected by the electrical storm, including the procurator fiscal’s premises in Hill Street, and Angus Soft Fruits’ offices at East Seaton.