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Case Study - Refurbishment of Lantern Tower at North Queensferry 

Programme: Your Heritage 
Applicant: North Queensferry Heritage Trust 
Grant awarded: £40,300 
Project length: February 2009 – May 2010 

Refurbishment of Lantern Tower - printable (MS Word, 229KB) 

Summary

Before the opening of the Forth Bridge in 1964, the Queensferry Passage provided a crucial link between Northern and Southern Scotland. In the 1800s improvements were made to the major trading port including the addition of the world's smallest working light tower. Designed by Robert Stevenson, the 17 foot tower not only functioned as a lighthouse but also illuminated the pier for the thousands of people, animals and coaches making the crossing.

Neglected since the early 1900s, the tower had suffered from 200 years of time, tides and prevailing winds. The local community was actively involved in the restoration and historical research of the lantern tower which was opened as a tourist attraction for all to enjoy. For the first time in almost 100 years people are able to enter the Lantern Tower and light a replica Stevenson's lamp with a stroke of a match.  They can also learn more about the maritime heritage of one of the busiest ferry crossings in Scotland at an exhibition housed in the local Tourist Information Centre.


The aims of the project

The one year project had three main aims:
  • To commission each phase of the project: refurbishment of stonework, lightroom ironwork and the installation of a working replica lamp.
  • A photographic record will be taken of all aspects of the project that will be featured online and used to form an exhibition at the Forth Bridges Tourist Information Centre.
  • To open the tower as a visitor attraction. Produce a brochure and website for marketing purposes and train volunteer or part-time paid guides.

Benefits for heritage

  • Refurbishment of the light room and stonework has been completed and the lantern tower was restored to its original condition.
  • A photographic record was taken of every stage of the refurbishment process. 
  • A website, brochure and exhibition on the Lantern Tower was housed at the Bridges Tourist Information Centre. Explanatory panels were also installed on the town pier.
  • A book on the ‘Queensferry Passage’ detailing all new information recently discovered has been published.

Benefits for people

  • For the first time in almost 100 years the Lantern Tower is open to the public.  An estimated 5,000 tourists visit the new heritage attraction and learn about the rich maritime history of Queensferry.
  • The conservators repairing the tower gave demonstrations to 6 school children who were keen to be involved with the restoration of the tower and to learn the use of traditional skills.
  • Onlookers witnessed all of the restoration phases, from when the tower was covered in scaffolding, transported by crane to the restorers and returned to its former glory. Articles and a pictorial diary of the Light Tower refurbishment were published online. Information leaflets on the conservation of the building were also available at the Tourist Information Centre.
  • A replica light similar to Stevenson's original was installed in the Tower. Visitors can now light the lamp and experience first hand how the keeper's daily lighting programme kept the service running.Over 20 primary schoolchildren are currently working on an art project based on the tower which will be used in the opening ceremony.
  • 10 volunteers were involved in the research and interpretation for the exhibition and a further 15 were trained as tour guides.
  • The project was overseen and managed by 10 volunteers from the North Queensferry Heritage Trust.

Lessons learnt

  • When planning a project make sure you have a good reason for doing it and then introduce a wow factor - then the community will support you. There are thousands of similar old towers but this one will be opened as a visitor attraction, in fact it will be the smallest in Scotland as only two people can enter it at any one time. Furthermore  it is believed to be the world's first ever Lantern Tower that can be lit by the public using a match!
  • The amount of spend for marketing activities was underestimated.

Long term benefits

  • The maritime heritage of North Queensferry is reportedly less understood than the history relating to the monumental Forth Bridges which flank the village. This new heritage attraction has changed that by promoting the history of the sea trade to North Queensferry and the importance of the ferries to local people in the past.
  • The project has lead to job opportunities for the local community.
  • The North Queensferry Trust website follows the progress of the project, charting the restoration of the building and maritime research has opened up the project to the widest possible audiences.

The budget

Main Project Costs £ Funding £
Repair and conservation work  33,554  Other grants  42,018 
Equipment  20,000  Non-cash contributions  1,000 
Professional fees  6,600  HLF grant (48%)  40,300 
    Total Costs  83,968 


The new lamp in the Lantern Tower 

The new lamp installed in the Lantern Tower 

Sector

Industry, Maritime and Transport 

Activity

Conservation