The Signal Tower

Left for the school run early so I could nip down here and take a photo of the Signal Tower.
Now a museum, the signal tower complex was built as the shore station for the lighthouse keepers families who lived here. The red ball at the top of the tower was used as a signal (hence the name) to the lighthouse 11 miles ashore which had an identical ball - If all was well the ball was raised on the lighthouse in the morning and the ball on the signal tower was raised to acknowledge it had been seen. If the ball wasn't raised then those on shore knew something was amiss and a boat was sent the 11 miles to the lighthouse. Pretty basic communication for what must have been a difficult job for the lighthouse keepers being away from their families in such an isolated place. More details on the signal tower here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Signal_Tower_Museum