Princess Anne Taigh Mòr

Princess Anne was guest of honour at the official handover of the Flannan Isles former shore station to the Breasclete community.

Princess Anne - who has a passion for lighthouses - unveiled a plaque commemorating the new ownership of An Taigh Mòr (the big house), marking a new chapter in the historic building’s 120 year history.

The listed sandstone building was built in 1899 as a shore base for the families of lighthouse keepers to the Flannan Isles.

Two of the keepers lost in the Flannan Isles tragedy of 1900 - James Ducat and Thomas Marshall - lived with their families in the house.

Donald Macarthur, the third missing keeper, was local to the village of Breasclete.

They vanished without trace in December 1900, a mystery which has intrigued many over the past 119 years.

Lighthouse tender Hesperus discovered the light unlit on Boxing Day 1900. A small squad rowed ashore and found the island deserted. The last log entry was from a fortnight earlier but there was no trace of the keepers.

The building has special significance, to not only lighthouse history, but also to the village where subsequent keepers and their families lived for up to seventy years following the tragedy.

The Princess Royal received a warm welcome from representatives of Urras an Taighe Mhòir - the community trust which plans to preserve and develop the building - Breasclete Community Association, villagers and local school children.

She was accompanied by Western Isles Lord-Lieutenant, Donald Martin, while designer James Crawford showed her a community-commissioned memorial by the shore where the keepers would set off from.

► Photos: Princess Royal Anne at Flannan Isles shore station

Young and old were present at a reception in the community hall and she spoke to them all.

She was thrilled when Breasclete School pupils performed a dramatised song about the Flannan’s mystery.

To the princess’ delight, Breasclete Community Association gifted her a painting of the lighthouse atop Eilean Mòr, the largest of the Flannan islands, commissioned from Margaret Stevenson of Gallery 5 in Tolsta Chaolais.

Two-year old Chloe Isabella Macarthur presented a posy of flowers to the princess.

Princess Anne was not to be rushed at all, resisting her officials’ reminders that they were overrunning their schedule.

She expressed her pleasure at being on Lewis, telling one local she wished to return, under her own steam, to delve deeper into the exhibitions at both Breasclete and Balallan - where she opened the community hub earlier.

Breasclete Community Association said they, together with Urras an Taigh Mhòir, were “privileged to host a visit from Her Royal Highness, The Princess Royal.

“We are delighted that her visit marked the official handover of An Taigh Mòr to the community.

“This is a hugely significant step forward as we consider this historic building to be an integral part of our community.

“It is very appropriate that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, who is the patron of lighthouses and has a special affinity to Flannan Isles, was in Breasclete to mark this special occasion.”

Moving forward to development stage, the project has secured £20,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund, key to finalising the facilities the community have aspired to during consultation.

Further match-funding for this stage is currently being sought, one of the aims being to employ a project officer to supporting the re-development.

An Taigh Mòr was previously rented out as flats by Hebridean Housing Partnership, who inherited the building in 2006 after the transfer of social housing stock from Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.

HHP’s support of a community buy-out was central to a progression to ownership, an ambition which has been financially supported by a £147,250 grant from the Scottish Government plus comhairle funding.

Norman Macleod, chairman of HHP said: “Given the building’s historic status it became incredibly costly to bring the eight flats up to the Scottish housing quality standard so in November 2015 the board took the decision to sell it, and we are thrilled to finally hand over the keys to Urras an Taighe Mhòir and look forward to seeing how the community group are going to transform it.”

Housing minister Kevin Stewart said: “We want to give more power to communities to decide their own futures based on local need. Taking over local land or buildings can give communities the opportunity to deliver services, provide jobs, skills and training. It can help groups become more sustainable, build confidence and a sense of resilience.

► Photos: Princess Royal Anne at Flannan Isles shore station

Comhairle leader Roddie MacKay congratulated Urras an Taighe Mhòir on achieving “this milestone in acquiring what is a historic building in the life of the local community and the island as a whole.

“We will continue to support the Urras to develop their ambitious proposals for economic regeneration and growth.”

Anyone living in the area - Linshader to Tolsta Chaolais can become become a member of Urras an Taighe Mhòir by contacting secretary Anne Maciver or one of the trustees locally.

The body’s Facebook page, Urras an Taighe Mhoir, has regular updates.

Princess Anne gives royal approval to community buyout of Flannan Isles lighthouse keepers’ shore station

3 October 2019

Flannan Isles’ lightkeepers lived in the house

Chloe Macarthur presented a posy of flowers to the princess

Emma Rennie/ Callanish Digital Design