Along the watchtower...

This is the Lighthouse Station for the Bell Rock Lighthouse, which lies 11 miles out from Arbroath on the Tay Estuary.

This watchtower communicated with the men on the rock by signalling using a ball and flags raised on the mast. It was a tough life for the men who manned the lighthouse for up to 6 weeks at a time without relief, and often longer if the weather conditions prevented a landing. Even the imminent arrival of a son or daughter was no reason for coming off the rock early. On the birth of the baby, the proud father would be notified with a special signal from the tower: trowsers on the mast indicated a boy, a dress, a girl.

www.bellrock.org.uk