Ailsa Craig Island

Community Buyout: Candidate Number 1

Ailsa Craig Island Lighthouse Station

We are launching a new “Lighthouse Preservation Charity” to save lighthouse stations that are at risk of demolition.

The volunteers that keep the Lighthouse Bulletin and Unique Property Bulletin (here) online and free for you to use, contain a number of individuals experienced in these matters. The oldest has 40 years’ living at lighthouse stations and also project managing other lighthouse station renovations. Collectively the team here add up to 164 years of lighthouse life.

=> Crucial in our helping you find an affordable lighthouse home is an obscure practice of “Title-Deed Splitting.” We have found that splitting a lighthouse station title, so 6 people/families have one home each, rather than one person have six homes to themselves is an excellent way in making these places affordable to live.

=> Even better, 4 to 6 families’ make keeping the lighthouse buildings in top condition much easier than just one soul toiling away!

On the matter of the Lighthouse Bulletin giving birth to a “Lighthouse Preservation Trust” ~ old Dino-Sore-Russ here already had his paws on the constitution documents for two previous charity registrations; so he, and all of us here, have a reasonable idea of what we need to do make this new lighthouse preservation charity work.

Both of the earlier charities did what was written on the box (here and here)! So a “Lighthouse Preservation Charity” should be straight forward. Yes it will be hard work; but it is eminently possible and morally much needed.

If in doubt about the need for a Lighthouse Preservation charity, please take a look at the state of Ailsa Craig Lighthouses.

Not just Ailsa Craig lighthouses; perhaps study the lighthouse buildings up at Neist Point. They are looking pretty dilapidated too.

^^ Neist Point Lighthouse Station ^^

Photo By JazzLove. Alamy Fee Paid: Here

Neist Point is one of the most photographed and iconic lighthouse stations in the whole of the UK. We were chatting with a mutual friend and she mentioned the owner had managed significant amounts of renovation work, but had sadly passed away. We asked if it is possible for any of our members to help his family finish his project in any way? If you might be able to advise or help, this would be much appreciate (our contact details are: here).

Why Help?

Because it is clear from looking closely at the buildings (and messages on social media), that the privately owned part of Neist Point Lighthouse Station is becoming dilapidated in a sad and ruinous way.

^^ Neist Point Lighthouse Station ^^

Photo By Patrice Hauser. Hemis/Alamy Fee Paid: Here

We have found with the previous two charities the following saying is, in fact true…

“When things are at their worst, people are at their best.”

Charity number #2 has 26,000 supporters (here). That incredible level of human decency and kindness has led to fundraising that far exceeded the founders expectations (over £460,000 inbound funds each year – here).

So wit charity number #2 managing to bring an iconic ship back to life, it sits well with the founders at this end to bring a new charity (#3) into being…

The Lighthouse Preservation Trust

A lot of thought (and fair amount of worry) has gone into thinking abot the fate of ruinous lighthouse stations such as Ailsa Craig an the proximity to ruin of Neist Point.

So the previous two charities seem to fit in well with the structure and purpose of the new charity for lighthouses.

The first and second charities from this office (1997~2007: here and 2012: here and here). In resonance to these earlier charitie, the ne w one aims to make each lighthouse restoration produce viable (habitable) and affordable homes. In the case where we renovate, a lighthouse station (28 lighthouse buildings in the past 40 years) the challenge is that each new home is dry, warm and economic to heat.

^^ Ailsa Craig Lighthouse Station ^^
^^ Photo By The Carlisle Kid Via Geograph ^^

The nascent Lighthouse Preservation Charity is necessary to rescue cases of dangerous structural ruination such as Ailsa Craig Lighthouse Station (here).

Laws such as the Land Reform Act (here) and the Community Empowerment Act (here) can be leveraged to prevent demolition, waste and catastrophic vandalism of iconic buildings with profoundly important architecture. Even if this means COMPULSORY PURCHASE.

^^ When We Sold Ailsa Craig Lighthouse Station ^^ 
^^ On 20th November 2000 The Buildings Were Still Habitable ^^
^^ We Need To Atone For Selling ^^
^^ Official Title Deeds: Click Here ^^

Ailsa Craig Lighthouse Station has been abandoned to rot for 25 years. We have made extensive efforts to try and get in touch with that owner of 25 years to help stop these buildings reaching an inexorable demolition stage.

In spite of those efforts to locate and help the owner (since 2014), as of August 2025 the owner of Ailsa Craig lighthouse station (here) is not hearing of, and/or not responding to efforts to save the buildings from ruin.

Consequently, we are registering the requisite Lighthouse Preservation Charity and CIC so that we can legally seek to deploy what is in effect a request for a CIC Community COMPULSORY PURCHASE order in terms of the Land Reform Law and Community Empowerment statute.

^^ Ailsa Craig Island & Lighthouse Compound ^^
^^ Photo Courtesy From Mr Andrew Ritchie ^^

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Other matters needing reviewed during our rebuilding of this website are “parked” below this paragraph. Especially as our readers have expert knowledge in many matters and have helped with the first two charities. Consequently, it is important to have information available for review, even in very rando locations (for the time being).

Other Legal Jurisdictions

There will also need to be discussions with the Charity Commissioners in the other nations that make up the United Kingdom.

Also because we will be covering EVERY lighthouse building in all four nations of the UK (and many in Eire), we will need to discuss additional registration procedures: here and here and for Eire: here etc.

The previous charity that our managing director registered at the Office of the Scottish Charity Regulator in Dundee during 2012 took several months to research and prepare.

That was before the 2012 charity was launched…

“Friends of TS Queen Mary”

We are hopeful that the new “Lighthouse Preservation Trust” charity will pass the naming process too. Though it is sometimes necessary during the processes to change an original name.

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Bona Fides & Credentials

For readers who would like some “comfort” that we have done this sort of thing before and with some success, there are two previous charities (the first: here).

The second charity is closer in style and purpose to that for the third charity: “Lighthouse Preservation Trust.”

Our bona fides and credentials will reflect that we have spent 40 years renovating lighthouse buildings. For example this one at Noss Head Lighthouse Station…

There are several buildings in the Noss Head Lighthouse Station, 6 of which may be described as domestic residences (or with the potential to be suited for conversion to homes on the brown-field principle).

During our ownership (HQ company: here), which began on 23rd May 2017, there was a substantial amount (£183,699) spent on renovating the various buildings.

The fact we prefer to split the title so that for example, SIX families each have ONE house, rather than ONE family own SIX houses, means an ECONOMY OF SCALE occurs.

This helps make each renovated lighthouse building affordable for the new owner.

Here is another lighthouse renovation example from our Noss Head Lighthouse Station…

Bringing Old Buildings Back To A Useful Life

^^ Noss Head Lighthouse Station ^^
^^ "Before" & "After" Photographs ^^
^^ Occasional Keeper's Cottage (Left) ^^
^^ & Principal Keeper's Cottage (Right) ^^

There is clearly a close comparison between the lighthouse buildings pictured above and their being brought back to life, and this next “before” and “after” set of pictures relating to charity number #2 (Friends of TS Queen Mary)…

Bringing Old Ships Back To A Useful Life

^^ TS Queen Mary ^^
^^ "Before" & "After" Photographs ^^

The purpose of this brief summary is so that our readers and volunteers can have confidence in the new “Lighthouse Preservation Trust.”

As a wise person within our readership recently remarked: “This is not your first rodeo.”

Indeed.

This will be charity number #3 and we are painfully aware that a huge amount of work is required to launch a “Lighthouse Preservation” Charity” an then make it effective in helping rescue the likes of Ailsa Craig Lighthouse Station + Railway + Pier etc. Especially making the hazardous access safe.

But here’s the thing: the previous two charities did their job; they also brought folk together for a joint endeavour and from that, friendships have been created that have lasted for decades.

Plus (and we cannot emphasise this enough), the core purpose of each charity can move proverbial mountains in ensuring good results with buildings and jobs saved.

In a world full of problems, it is very comforting to be able to help provide some solutions.

In this case, it is obvious that some lighthouse stations are becoming ruinous. If we did not know already, our readers certainly get in touch to offer support. Thank you.

For the sake of good form, the next picture is of the 2012 Constitution for the earlier charity (#2) that we registered on 4th December 2012.

With some irony, the Constitution in this photograph was written on the same keyboard that these words are being typed on! For those who may be a wee bit superstitious, we trust this is a good sign….

^^ The Earlier Charity: Friends of TS Queen Mary ^^

Registered By Russ McLean & Iain Sim on 4th December 2012.

Friends of TS Queen Mary

Charity Commission (OSCR) Credentials

Charity Commission Main Page: Click Here

Russ McLean had already been dealing with spinal surgery from 1st July 1994 (that had ended his police career (click here)).

Unfortunately, in 2017 Russ had two further spinal problems with more surgery required.

Fortunately, Iain Sim had already been leading the charity and doing the majority of the heavy lifting. At that time, Ian pretty much took helm of the “Friends of TS Queen Mary” charity and it is Iain who has achieved some truly remarkable results…

^^ Founding Trustees: Iain Sim & Russ McLean ^^

^^ “Friends of TS Queen Mary” Charity ^^

The progress at TS Queen Mary required many hours, days and months preparatory work in 2011 and 2012.

But all of the efforts and obstacles overcome proved well worthwhile when, when the “Friends of TS Queen Mary” charity purchased this iconic ship. After more work, the vessel was towed half way around Britain from London to Glasgow…

^^ TS Queen Mary ^^

Photo Courtesy of Dave Souza

The transformation of this vessel over the next few years with intensive restoration work produced considerable results that have ensured the TS Queen Mary will survive for many years to come (social media updates: here)…

^^ TS Queen Mary ^^

Photo Courtesy of FOTSQM

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Patrons Welcome

If you are new to this Lighthouse Bulletin, we need to emphasise that it is (and always has been) a not-for-profit entity run by volunteers.

However, now that we will be changing the ownership of this “Lighthouse Bulletin” into a registered charity, we are looking to invite a person of suitable gravitas and to become patron of the new…

“Lighthouse Preservation Trust“

So if our readers have good ideas about who might be a decent patron for the new charity, please can you let Russ McLean know (0757 2768 795). Thank you.

To give our readers an indication of how important a patron is to a charity, our earlier “Friends of TS Queen Mary” project was very, very lucky to have Mr Robbie Coltrane as patron. Immediately on Robbie joining, the charity finances took a significant boost to £313,897 income that year. Robbie worked tirelessly to help. A large number of those donations were reciprocated with personal letters of thanks from Robbie to the donors. This is all the more remarkable as Robbie was in a lot of pain during this time.

As part of the funding initiatives, there is only so much a fairly modest crew of volunteers can do. Even though Robbie had gotten the twinkle back in his eyes at being around an iconic ship (since distressingly having to sell some of his beloved cars due to painful joint inflammation rendering work on the classic car engines nigh impossible), the work volume of all the trustees and patron were increasing.

^^ Robbie Coltrane ^^

Patron of the TS Queen Mary Charity

Once the ship had been purchased and towed back from London to Glasgow, it became apparent that very large amounts of funds would have to be raised.

It was incredibly tragic that the friends of TS Queen Mary lost Robbie when he passed away on 14th October 2022. Sad in many ways as Robbie was really looking forward to seeing the ship re-engined and sailing again.

As was typical of a such a decent and generous person, Robbie persuaded his friend, Sir Sam Neill to join the charity as co-patron.

^^ Sir Sam Neill ^^

Patron of the TS Queen Mary Charity

Sir Sam was not an obvious fit for the nautical side. Though the Commonwealth and overseas work the charity has to look towards has been perfect. But in fact Sir Sam was born in Omagh, Northern Ireland, just 70 miles from the birthplace of another famous ship, the RMS Titanic…

^^Friends of TS Queen Mary ^^

New Trustee Sir Sam Neill ^^

Has shipbuilding in his DNA

So if you do have any ideas of who we might invite to be patron of the new charity…

“Lighthouse Preservation Trust”

The crew here at the Lighthouse Bulletin would be delighted to hear from you.

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What Does All This Mean?

For your purposes (and you appear to have landed on this page), the best solution is for you to check out our RELAUNCHED…

Lighthouse Bulletin

Front Page

>>>>>>> Click Here <<<<<<<

Also, feel free to join our lighthouse social media pages are: here and here

Eventually this specific lighthouse building’s page will be re-written and new, fully audited and attributed photographs will appear.

But for the time being, all that remains on this specific and dedicated lighthouse page is a VERY OLD narrative.

Please check back in the coming months. We have hundreds of pages to rewrite ad update with news relating to EVERY lighthouse station in the U.K., & Eire.

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OLD NARRATIVE – AWAITING PHOTO-AUDIT

AND UPDATED NARRATIVE

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