News / Foghorn wins award
THE RESTORED foghorn at the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse is to receive a national engineering award.
The Engineering Heritage Awards, managed by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, recognise the role mechanical engineering plays in both the past and present.
Previous recipients include the Falkirk Wheel, HMS Belfast and London’s Tower Bridge.
The Sumburgh horn was last sounded in 1987, with foghorns effectively becoming obsolete in the 1980s after being a vital part of maritime safety.
It was built in 1905 and is powered by compressed air driven by a diesel Kelvin engine.
The sound of the horn can be heard as far away as Fair Isle, which is 37 miles south of Sumburgh.
Bill Edgar, past president of the Institution Mechanical Engineers, will present a plaque to Shetland Amenity Trust’s John Mackenzie at Sumburgh Head on 30 September before the foghorn is sounded at midday.
Mackenzie oversaw the £5.4 million redevelopment of the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse site into a visitor centre, which also included the careful restoration of the foghorn.
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 630 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.