Flannan Isles

The Flannan Isles (Scottish Gaelic: na h-Eileanan Flannach) are an island group in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, lying approximately 20 miles west of Lewis.

The islands have never been permanently inhabited, although their lighthouse was crewed from 1899 until 1971. The lighthouse was first lit at 7 December 1899. Since 1971 the lighthouse have been automatic. A famous mystery occurred when in December 1900, all three lighthouse keepers vanished without explanation. The mystery has been compared to that of the Mary Celeste and was the inspiration for the composer Peter Maxwell Davies's modern chamber opera The Lighthouse (1979). The events were also commemorated in Wilfrid Wilson Gibson's ballad, Flannan Isle.

The isles are also known for their ancient chapel, dedicated to Saint Flann, and for their population of seabirds, including puffins, fulmars, European Storm-petrels and Leach's petrels.

The islands are split into two groups. The main eastern rocks are Eilean Mòr (home to the lighthouse and ruined chapel below the north face) and Eilean Tighe, while the main western outcrops are Eilean a' Gobha, Roaiream and Bròna Cleit.

The Mysterious Disappearance of the Lighthouse Keepers

The island lighthouse was manned by a four man team, with a rotating fourth man spending time on shore. Late in December of 1900, the fourth keeper came to lighthouse to check on its status. He found none of the lighthouse keepers. A number of mysterious circumstances surround the occurrence. First of all, a half-eaten meal was on the table, indicating that the keepers had been disturbed during their meal. Second of all, the daily log contained enigmatic entries. These entries mentioned that there had been bad weather during the period, but contained information pertaining to the keepers' mental states, which was not standard information recorded in the log, and suggested that the keepers' were in an abnormal state of agitation. It was also recorded that the keepers were feeling something was wrong and they were not alone in the lighthouse. They thought that whatever it was, it was evil and that was the final entry. Finally, a set of oil-skins were found, suggesting that one of the keepers had left the lighthouse without his skins, surprising considering the extreme cold of the season.

The fourth keeper and the Northern Lighthouse Board concluded that the men had either been blown to sea by a strong wind or wave, and this is a common contemporary interpretation of the events. However, a number of alternative theories have been proposed, as many think that the oddities of the occurrence and the lack of conclusive evidence of normal death point to paranormal causes. Some of the theories proposed include the men being taken by ghosts, being dragged away by giant birds, or being abducted by aliens. The event remains a popular issue of contention among those who are interested in paranormal activity. However rumors have spread that on the night of the disappearance a boat was seen nearing the island filled with ghosts. Once the boat reached the island three ghosts boarded it and the boat disappeared. As soon as it disappeared the light of the lighthouse went out and they were never seen again.

External links

• Guide to the Flannan Isles
• About Flannan Isles Lighthouse on Northern Lighthouse Board