The Princess Royal’s involvement in the 200th anniversary of the Bell Rock lighthouse will ensure the celebrations become an international event, it was claimed.
Princess Anne, as patron of the Northern Lighthouse Board, is to put Arbroath on the map by holding a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse to mark the bicentenary.
This year is the Year of the Lighta 12-month celebration of events and special occasions in and around Arbroath to mark the 200th anniversary of the lighthouse coming into service.
Arbroath councillors Jim Millar and Donald Morrison said they were delighted the Princess Royal has given the Year of the Light her stamp of approval.
“It’s a very exciting development for the Year of the Light celebrations,” said Councillor Millar.
“We had hoped that the Princess Royal, who has got a very well known interest in lighthouses, would become involved and I’m absolutely delighted that’s the case.
“I’m also delighted that the interest in what we are trying to do here has now reached a worldwide audience and we’re really hoping these celebrations will become an international event and the Princess Royal’s involvement will help ensure that.”
Built by Robert Stevenson and completed in 1811, the Bell Rock Lighthouse has saved thousands of lives over the last two centuries by alerting vessels to the deadly rocks lying just below the surface of the water 11 miles out from Arbroath Harbour.
On February 3, 200 years and two days after Bell Rock shone its light for the first time, the Princess Royal will hold a reception to mark the bicentenary.
The next day at the Royal Society of Edinburgh, she will attend the bicentenary conference, entitled The Bell Rock Lighthouse, The Stevensons And Emerging Issues In Aids To Navigation.
Princess Anne has had a passion for lighthouses, known as pharology, which goes back all the way to a childhood visit with her mother to Tiumpan Head on Lewis.
In the years since, she has visited many of Scotland’s 209 lighthouses on both official and private trips.
The Earl of Southesk, patron of the Year of the Light, said, “We are delighted that the Princess Royal has agreed to show her support for the Year of the Light by hosting the event at Holyrood.
“As the Princess Royal is a keen supporter of Scottish and naval causes, there is a perfect fit with our celebrations of the 200th year of the great achievement that is the Bell Rock Lighthouse.”