I -Records of a family of engineers

Chapter II of “Records of a Family of Engineers” chronicles the dedicated endeavors of Thomas Smith and Robert Stevenson in establishing and maintaining lighthouses along Scotland’s perilous coasts, showcasing a profound contrast between their adventurous engineering pursuits and the domestic tranquility of their family lives. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the Scottish coastline, notorious for its shipwrecks, was predominantly unlit, save for an ancient beacon on the Isle of May. Undertaking commissions from the Northern Lighthouse Board, Smith, followed by Stevenson, embarked on arduous journeys to inspect, design, and construct lighthouses in remote and dangerous locations, facing both natural and bureaucratic adversities.

Their work, fundamental to the safety of maritime navigation, involved not only the architectural challenge of erecting lighthouses on rugged terrains but also entailed logistical complexities, such as transporting materials and maintaining supplies to these isolated outposts. The inadequacy of funds and the absence of infrastructure amplified the hardships encountered in these endeavors. The narrative vividly recollects instances of peril at sea, the physical toughness required for land travels in uncharted territories, and the unique, often primitive living conditions of the remote Scottish isles.

Moreover, the chapter delves into the cultural and social backdrop of the Orkney and Shetland islands, portraying the residents’ lives marked by simplicity, isolation, and a keen reliance on the sea. Through anecdotal tales—ranging from shipwrecks contributing to the local economy to encounters with islanders whose customs seemed untouched by time—the text reveals the profound divide between the advancing technological achievements of the mainland and the static, time-honored ways of life in the islands.

The engineers’ contributions, while initially met with skepticism or indifference by the island communities, eventually became integral to the regions’ maritime safety, altering the islands’ relationship with the sea. Yet, the Stevenson family’s saga is also one of personal valor and intellectual curiosity, as they navigated not only the physical landscape of Scotland’s coast but also its cultural and social frontiers, leaving a lasting legacy of light where there was darkness.