Berwick Lighthouse
The red and white lighthouse at the end of Berwick’s pier is one of the Town’s most recognisable landmarks and has been lighting the way for shipping for 200 years this year!
We’d love to be able to open it for HODs but sadly this is not possible.
The video below will give you a virtual walk around the building and you’ll also be able to enjoy the view from the top.
Below you can also read the story of Robina Burgon Berwick’s female lighthouse keeper!
BICENTENARY OF BERWICK LIGHTHOUSE
On 10 October 1826, Berwick Lighthouse was lit for the first time. Constructed at the end of Berwick Pier, this was an important addition for seafarers, indicating the entrance to the mouth of the River Tweed and also crucial for ships navigating the dangerous waters of the North East Coast round about.
During its history, Berwick has had various lighthouse keepers but did you know one of them was a woman named Robina Burgon who helped her father, when he was ill.
She probably did this about 8 or 10 times during his tenure, the longest being in 1927 when she deputised for him for 9 weeks. Robina’s father Alexander Burgon, retired in 1929.
Robina Burgon married Sergeant Thomas E Tait of the KOSB at the end of July 1934 in Bankhill Presbyterian Church. They moved away from the area to Irvine in Scotland and had two children. Sadly Thomas died very suddenly in Irvine in March 1940. Robina continued to live there and died in 1988, aged 90. She must have been a remarkable women and it is fitting to remember her contribution to keeping the lighthouse lit on its 200th anniversary.
Berwick Journal, 2nd August 1934
Berwick Advertiser, 14th October 1826
Berwickshire News, 26th April 1927
BERWICK LIGHTHOUSE KEEP RETIRES. WORK CARRIED OUT BY DAUGHTER DURING HER FATHER’S ILLNESS
Following the retiral of Mr Alexander Burgon, lighthouse keeper, Berwick’s Grace Darling has also decide to vacate the position taken over by her during her father’s illness some time ago. As much as Miss Burgon would like to carry on in
the capacity of the “lady of the lamp”, she is acceding to her father’s wishes, and on Sept. 14 a new lighthouse keeper takes over charge of the lamps.
So well has Miss Burgon done her duties that the Harbour Master, Capt. Gibsone, asked her to continue, but Mr Burgon thinks it’s a great strain for a girl to attend all by herself, the lamps through the dark hours of the night.
Interviewed on the subject, Miss Burgon, who is a pleasant featured and sociable Berwick lass, said “I like it up here and I shall be quite sorry to leave the lighthouse”. Miss Burgon has been most cheerful and very pleased with the work, and during most of the long vigils she has had in the lighthouse, she has been kept company by her 14 years old nephew. Frequently girl friends keep her company until 10 or 10.30 , and then she plays dominoes with her nephew or they read magazines, books etc.
Miss Burgon makes light of the discomforts of the exposed walk out along the pier. When the sea is rough and with the wind behind it, deluges of water are thrown right over the pier, yet despite this Miss Burgon and her nephew tramp out to keep the lights going every night. On one occasion it was so bad that Miss Burgon’s brother had to go out and stay with her, and some of the longest vigils came during this time, for the lamps had to be lit at tea time and were not extinguished until day had broken.
The retiring lighthouse keeper, Mr Alexander Burgon has reached the age of 76, and ill health has accelerated his decision to retire. His medical attendant advised him to give up the duties and his daughter, Miss Burgon, offered herself immediately to carry on but her father has influenced her not to take on the responsibilities.