Book sheds light on life at Covesea
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A BOOK which offers a view of life at Covesea Lighthouse through the eyes of one remarkable man has hit the shelves.
Archie's Lights: The Life and Times of a Scottish Lightkeeper tells the story of Archie MacEachern, who was born at a clifftop lighthouse in 1910.
The third generation in his family to enter the service of the Northern Lighthouse Board, Archie upheld the motto 'For the Safety of All' to the best of his ability throughout his 66-year career.
Compiled by his second wife Anne, the book uses Archie's own words and gives a fascinating glimpse into a past way of life.
Archie, who died in 2005 at the age of 95, served at lighthouses across the country, including a stint at the Moray landmark from the 1966-1970.
During the summer months at Covesea, he and his assistant Syd would limewash the 36m white tower – a job which would take a week.
He recalled: "We still used a heavy wooden stage suspended on ropes, which we rigged on the pavement and hauled to the balcony, moving the stage round as we completed vertical strips of the tower."
Through Archie's stories, the reader learns of a helicopter crash involving airmen from the nearby RAF base and of red flares illuminating the sky over Lossiemouth to indicate seamen in trouble.
During his second summer at Covesea, the machine broke down and Archie and Syd kept the lens revolving by hand, at the correct speed, for two nights.
Life at Lossiemouth was good, with favourable working conditions and a vibrant social scene. But after four years at Covesea, Archie and his family were called to Chanonry point.
Before he left he was awarded the British Empire Medal and Archie and his first wife Peggy, who died in the early 1970s, travelled to London for the investiture.
The ceremony was a highlight in a career which began as a boy seaman in 1926 when, aged 16, he joined the tender Pharos, which serviced the board's lighthouses and buoys around Scotland and the Isle of Man.
In June 1932, after six years at sea, Archie stepped ashore having transferred to train as a lightkeeper.
Early chapters tell of Archie's first postings and go from peacetime through war, dealing with goats, shipwrecked sailors and German spies.
The story brings vividly to life the challenges of living and working at a lighthouse, including raising a young family in isolated and potentially dangerous places.
Many characters appear, each with their own personality and habits. There were hardships and rewards and, at times, crushing isolation.
The sea ruled their lives creating idyllic periods on sunny, calm days but uncontrollable destruction at other times.
In his foreword, Hector MacKenzie, Lord MacKenzie of Culkein, wrote of Archie: "He was a true servant of the mariner and a person of great wisdom, humour and kindness.
"Needless to say, he was present on March 31, 1998 when the last Scottish Lighthouse, Fair Isle South, was converted to automatic operation in the presence of the Board's patron, the Princess Royal. I am sure that all those who have an interest in lighthouses, their history and the lives of keepers will enjoy Archie's Lights as much as I have."
The 208-page book, which includes photographs and illustrations, is published by Whittles Publishing and costs £18.99.
