Community / Foghorn blast opens 2022 season at Sumburgh Head
Video: Juan Brown
THERE was a healthy crowd on hand to listen to the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse foghorn blast this morning (Saturday) as it kicked off the 2022 season.
The horn was set off at midday by retained lightkeeper Brian Johnson as the lighthouse’s visitor centre and cafe opened up for the first since since last year.
A competition had also been held to give people the chance to help set up and sound the booming horn.
The foghorn was built in 1905 and was put into operation a year later.
It was last sounded in 1987 before a restoration project enabled it to blast once again, with the horn returning to life in 2015.
It is said that the sound could be heard up to 20 miles away. The horn is powered by low-pressure compressed air.
Meanwhile the Sumburgh Head visitor centre and cafe is now open five days a week, Thursday – Monday, 10am – 5pm.
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