Bell Rock Lighthouse

The Bell Rock Lighthouse was first lit on February 1st, 1811. It took five years to build and was the first lighthouse built on a rock that is fully submerged at high tide.

Plans for a visit to the Bell Rock have been floating around in my head for ages. The plan finally took shape after a trip to the Shining Lights exhibition, when I decided to pop out and say "Happy 200th Birthday!" personally.

First we were going to go by rhib, but everyone I spoke to about it wanted to come along too. In the end 12 of us headed out there on Silver Sky from Eyemouth, a journey of about 35 miles. The divers included Cyclops and MrsCyclops (although I notice Cyclops has the light down as 250 years old, maybe he knows something I don't?)

Bell Rock is very exposed, it's only possible to get out, and dive there, on the calmest of days. There was a very high chance that we wouldn't get out there at all if the weather was iffy. Fortunately the sea was flat calm as we left Eyemouth, at 08:40. We arrived at the Bell Rock around 11:00, in similar conditions, to find Chris Sugden and the DUSAC divers already in the water.

We had 2 pleasant drift dives before heading back, so happy birthday Bell Rock Light, it was a long day but well worth the trip.

For lighthouse fanciers more info on the Bell Rock Light at the Northern Lighhouse Board and Bellrock.org.uk