During a standard repair job at the historic Corsewall Lighthouse in southwest Scotland, engineers stumbled upon something extraordinary: a 132-year-old message in a bottle tucked away inside the structure’s wall.
For decades, this sturdy glass container lay undisturbed—until early summer 2025, when renovation crews peeled back an old wooden panel and noticed a curious glint. Using a makeshift tool fashioned from a rope and broom handle, they carefully retrieved the bottle. Inside was a rolled, ink-written note dating back to September 4, 1892.
The message, penned with quill and ink, listed the names of the engineers and workers who had carried out a major project that summer. It read:
“This lantern was erected by James Wells, Engineer; John Westwood, Millwright; James Brodie, Engineer; David Scott, Labourer… relighted on Thursday night 15th Sept. 1892.”
It went on to name the lighthouse keepers on duty at the time: John Wilson (Principal Keeper), John B. Henderson (First Assistant), and John Lockhart (Second Assistant). The lens and machinery, supplied by James Dove & Co. of Edinburgh, were also acknowledged, with the installation credited to William Burness, John Harrower, and James Dods—all part of the Glasgow-based firm.
What makes this discovery particularly haunting and magical is the uncanny coincidence: the current engineers were working on the exact same lens described in the note. Modern keeper Dr. Barry Miller later said it was “like a direct communication from them to us”—a sentiment echoed by engineer Ross Russell, who admitted he was shaking when he realized they were handling a piece of history so tangible it felt alive.
Ross described the moment vividly: “Being the first person to touch that bottle after 132 years was simply mind-blowing.” It was, he said, “a once-in-a-lifetime find.”
From its hypersensitive position high in the tower of the 209-year-old lighthouse—now repurposed as a charming hotel—this message had lain hidden for generations. The Northern Lighthouse Board confirmed that the bottle is being safely kept at their Edinburgh offices while restoration continues. But among the plans is to return it to its original cavity—this time accompanied by a note from today’s team, continuing a tradition that spans centuries.
The lighthouse itself, with its steadfast beam piercing the Irish Sea every 30 seconds, remains more than just a relic of maritime history. It’s an enduring symbol of continuity, connection, and human ingenuity—bridging past and present through a simple, heartfelt gesture sealed in glass.