Visit to the local area of the 'Sea and Lighthouse Project' (September 3rd to 5th)
2025/9/3
From September 3rd (Wednesday) to 5th (Friday), Consul Masataka Abe accompanied Shinichi Ikenoue, the Chief Executive of the Japan Institute for Maritime Culture and a professor at Hokkai School of Commerce, along with Saori Ouchi, Secretary General and Chief Fellow, during their business trip as part of the 'Sea and Lighthouse Project.' They visited lighthouse-related organisations, including the headquarters of the Northern Lighthouse Board, which manages lighthouses in Scotland and the Isle of Man, as well as the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses. Their visit is summarised as follows.
1. Visit to the Northern Lighthouse Board (hereinafter referred to as 'NLB')
On Wednesday, September 3rd, the group visited the NLB headquarters in Edinburgh, where CEO Mike Bullock provided an overview of the organisation, and we exchanged views on the historical connections with lighthouses in Japan. Afterwards, under the guidance of Fiona Holmes, the Communications Officer, we toured the exhibits within the headquarters.
2. Visit to the National Library of Scotland
On Wednesday, September 3rd, the group visited the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. Guided by Alison Metcalfe, Curator of the Archives & Manuscript Collections, they examined documents related to lighthouses in Japan, including records from the Stevenson office and letters written by Richard Henry Brunton, as well as correspondence with the Lighthouse Office of the Japanese government during that time in history.
Richard Henry Brunton was a civil engineer who came to Japan with the support of the Stevenson office from 1868 to 1876. He introduced lighthouse construction techniques from Scotland to Japan and is known as the 'Father of Lighthouses' in Japan.
1. Visit to the Northern Lighthouse Board (hereinafter referred to as 'NLB')
On Wednesday, September 3rd, the group visited the NLB headquarters in Edinburgh, where CEO Mike Bullock provided an overview of the organisation, and we exchanged views on the historical connections with lighthouses in Japan. Afterwards, under the guidance of Fiona Holmes, the Communications Officer, we toured the exhibits within the headquarters.
2. Visit to the National Library of Scotland
On Wednesday, September 3rd, the group visited the National Library of Scotland in Edinburgh. Guided by Alison Metcalfe, Curator of the Archives & Manuscript Collections, they examined documents related to lighthouses in Japan, including records from the Stevenson office and letters written by Richard Henry Brunton, as well as correspondence with the Lighthouse Office of the Japanese government during that time in history.
Richard Henry Brunton was a civil engineer who came to Japan with the support of the Stevenson office from 1868 to 1876. He introduced lighthouse construction techniques from Scotland to Japan and is known as the 'Father of Lighthouses' in Japan.
3. Visit to the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses
On Thursday, September 4th, the group visited the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh. Guided by Museum Manager, Dr Lynda McGuigan and others, they toured the exhibits and the Kinnaird Head Lighthouse, which was completed in 1787 using a design by Thomas Smith, the first chief engineer of the NLB and utilizing a former castle. They exchanged opinions on plans for a new exhibition next year in the lens display room, with aims towards reconstruction after it suffering damage from past storms. The potential for an exhibition focusing on the connections between lighthouses in Japan and Scotland was also discussed.
On Thursday, September 4th, the group visited the Museum of Scottish Lighthouses in Fraserburgh. Guided by Museum Manager, Dr Lynda McGuigan and others, they toured the exhibits and the Kinnaird Head Lighthouse, which was completed in 1787 using a design by Thomas Smith, the first chief engineer of the NLB and utilizing a former castle. They exchanged opinions on plans for a new exhibition next year in the lens display room, with aims towards reconstruction after it suffering damage from past storms. The potential for an exhibition focusing on the connections between lighthouses in Japan and Scotland was also discussed.
4. Visit to Dr Geoff Goolnik, researcher of Richard Henry Brunton
On Thursday, September 4th, the group visited Dr Geoff Goolnik, a researcher of Richard Henry Brunton who resides in Stonehaven. They exchanged opinions on the research status of Richard Henry Brunton's activities in Japan and academic collaboration related to lighthouses in Japan.
On Thursday, September 4th, the group visited Dr Geoff Goolnik, a researcher of Richard Henry Brunton who resides in Stonehaven. They exchanged opinions on the research status of Richard Henry Brunton's activities in Japan and academic collaboration related to lighthouses in Japan.
5. Visit to the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse
On Friday, September 5th, the group visited the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse located at the southernmost point of Scotland. On November 21st, 2024 this lighthouse signed a memorandum of cooperation relating to the world's first " twinned lighthouse" partnership with the Inubosaki Lighthouse in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
During their visit, under the guidance of Dr Barry Miller from the NLB, the group toured the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse and exchanged opinions with Mr. Alexander Peebles and Mrs. Dianne James from the Mull of Galloway Trust, who are responsible for visitor guidance and the operation of the exhibition facilities. The operational display of a foghorn powered by a 1930 diesel engine is the only one of its kind in this area and was truly impressive.
The hope is that new exchanges between Scotland and Japan will expand through lighthouses in the future.
For more information about the 'Sea and Lighthouse Project', please see below.
https://toudai.uminohi.jp/
(Unfortunately, it's only available in Japanese)
On Friday, September 5th, the group visited the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse located at the southernmost point of Scotland. On November 21st, 2024 this lighthouse signed a memorandum of cooperation relating to the world's first " twinned lighthouse" partnership with the Inubosaki Lighthouse in Choshi City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
During their visit, under the guidance of Dr Barry Miller from the NLB, the group toured the Mull of Galloway Lighthouse and exchanged opinions with Mr. Alexander Peebles and Mrs. Dianne James from the Mull of Galloway Trust, who are responsible for visitor guidance and the operation of the exhibition facilities. The operational display of a foghorn powered by a 1930 diesel engine is the only one of its kind in this area and was truly impressive.
The hope is that new exchanges between Scotland and Japan will expand through lighthouses in the future.
For more information about the 'Sea and Lighthouse Project', please see below.
https://toudai.uminohi.jp/
(Unfortunately, it's only available in Japanese)
