A remarkable piece of history has been unearthed at Corsewall Lighthouse in southern Scotland, where a 132-year-old message in a bottle was found hidden within the walls. The discovery, described as a "once-in-a-lifetime" find, marks the first time a message in a bottle has been found inside a Scottish lighthouse.
The message, dated September 4, 1892, was written with quill and ink and lists the names of three engineers who installed a revolutionary light system in the 100-foot tower, as well as the three lighthouse keepers who worked there at the time. The bottle was discovered by Ross Russell, a mechanical engineer with the Northern Lighthouse Board, during an inspection.
The team used a makeshift tool to retrieve the historic artifact, which was found tucked behind cupboard panels and out of reach. Before opening the bottle, the team waited for the arrival of Barry Miller, a retained lighthouse keeper, who expressed his gratitude for their patience.
"My goodness, am I grateful for them doing that," Miller told BBC Scotland News.
The bottle, crafted from coarse glass and filled with tiny air bubbles, had a convex base designed to prevent it from standing upright. The team meticulously cut and drilled through the cork to access the message, which detailed the installation of the lighthouse's light by engineers from James Milne & Son, alongside the names of the keepers.
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Ross Russell shared his amazement at the find, saying, "The note was just sensational. Being the first person to touch the bottle after 132 years was mind-blowing. It's a once-in-a-lifetime find.
Dr. Miller, 77, recalled his excitement as he opened the bottle, his hands trembling with anticipation. "The team's patience and care in retrieving the message was truly remarkable," he said.