In April 2004, I acquired a diary, a diary hand-written by none other than Alan Stevenson. Alan Stevenson succeeded his father, Robert Stevenson, as Engineer to the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB) in 1843. It was a custom of the day for the board's engineer to cruise the Scottish coast for an annual inspection of lighthouses. The diary offers a rare glimpse into the activities during the travel in 1850 and 1851. Alan traveled on the NLB's iron-paddlewheel tender, Pharos III, as he made his inspection journey. The diary is fascinating reading and describes various lighthouses then under construction, as well as problems encountered and repairs needed or being made. The diary has recently been returned to Scotland and is now in the collection of the Scottish Lighthouse Museum in Fraserburgh.
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