It was on the 15 December 1900 that the last entries were noted by the Keepers at Flannan Isle. Now over 100 years later, what happened on that day remains a mystery. A mystery that has captured the imagination of the public ever since. Despite the intrigue and dramatised speculation of what may have happened, we have to remember three keepers lost their lives and the families of these three men, to this day, do not know their fate. We pay tribute to these keepers, who served the Northern Lighthouse Board so well over the years and can only report what was recorded at that time.
"Captain Harvey was in command of the HESPERUS. We reported that on arrival at the Flannans during the afternoon of 26 December there was no sign of life to be seen on the Island, and no response was made to a rocket fired from the ship"....More
The letter written by Mr Moore, Assistant Lightkeeper, who was on relief duty at the Flannan Isles"Sir, It was with deep regret I wish you to learn the very sad affair that has taken place here during the past fortnight; namely the disappearance of my two fellow lightkeepers Mr Ducat and Mr Marshall, together with the Occasional Keeper, Donald McArthur from off this Island." ....More
This is the report submitted by Robert Muirhead, Superintendent, on the 8th January 1901"After satisfying myself that everything connected with the light was in good order and that the men landed would be able to maintain the light, I proceeded to ascertain, if possible, the cause of the disaster." ....More
Here is the telegram sent by the master of Hesperus, the Lighthouse Tender on 26th December 1900 "A dreadful accident has happened at Flannans. The three Keepers, Ducat, Marshall and the occasional have disappeared from the island. On our arrival there this afternoon no sign of life was to be seen on the Island." ....More