Longhope RNLI volunteers launch prize draw to raise charity funds

The couple are the owners of two historic lighthouse cottages, situated beside Cantick Head Lighthouse on the island of Hoy, overlooking the Pentland Firth and the entrance to Scapa Flow.

Both Royal Navy veterans, Vicky and Alan lived on the south coast of England with their three sons until 2017. After becoming increasingly disillusioned with the pace of modern life, Vicky made what she describes as a ‘throwaway comment’ after seeing photographs posted online by a naval friend who had moved to Orkney, suggesting they should sell up and move north in search of a slower pace of life and a stronger sense of community for their family.

The idea struck a chord with Alan. Having always loved the sea, the opportunity to live beside a lighthouse on one of the UK’s most dramatic coastlines seemed the perfect fit. When he discovered the Cantick Head Lighthouse complex was for sale, he was immediately drawn to it. Without even visiting, he had already fallen in love with both the property and the island itself and, before long, the family had uprooted their lives and moved to Hoy, where they have remained ever since.

By that stage, Alan and Vicky’s eldest son, Jos, had already left home, while their younger two sons, Callum and Alex, moved to Orkney with them. Alex, who was 11 when the family relocated, enjoyed a childhood reminiscent of a Secret Seven adventure, with a level of freedom, safety and outdoor exploration that is increasingly rare elsewhere. Both boys quickly became immersed within the island community, with Callum also volunteering as crew with Longhope RNLI. Today, both Callum and Alex are following in their parents’ footsteps and serving in the Royal Navy.

Since moving to Orkney, Alan has worked hard to build Cantick Head Lighthouse Cottages into a successful and distinctive accommodation business, welcoming visitors from across the UK and around the world to experience life on Hoy. Alongside running the business, Vicky and Alan were keen to give something back to the community they have grown to love, and both became volunteers with Longhope RNLI. Alan has volunteered with the station since 2018, initially as crew, and now serves as Lifeboat Operations Manager, while Vicky has been the station’s Lifeboat Press Officer since November 2023.

The idea for the prize draw came during a conversation about retirement while the couple were sitting in their hot tub overlooking the Pentland Firth. Alan jokingly remarked, ‘We should just raffle it.’ What began as an offhand comment soon developed into something much bigger, with the couple realising they had an opportunity not only to move towards retirement, but also to raise money for four charities that mean a great deal to them including Longhope RNLI.

The resulting competition offers entrants the opportunity to win a unique slice of Orkney life. At the heart of the prize are two Victorian former lighthouse keeper’s cottages. One cottage is fully furnished and operates as a successful holiday let, generating more than £35,000 during a typical seven-month season. The second is currently used as a private residence, offering flexibility for the new owner. Together, they offer the opportunity to continue a thriving tourism business, create a family home, or enjoy a unique combination of both. Alternatively, the winner may choose a £200,000 cash prize.

The competition not only offers somebody the chance to embrace the lifestyle that Alan and Vicky have enjoyed over the past decade but will also help raise funds for charities and causes that are close to their hearts.

The RNLI was an obvious choice given Alan and Vicky’s lifelong connection to the sea and their volunteer roles with Longhope Lifeboat Station. The couple have also chosen to support Sophie’s Legacy, which was founded following the death of Vicky’s Goddaughter, Sophie, The Scarlett Fund, which has close family connections, and the Longhope Lifeboat Museum, where Alan serves as a Director and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. Ten per cent of all ticket sales from the competition will be shared equally between the four chosen charities, helping to support the vital work they undertake.

Alan said, ‘Moving to Hoy completely changed our lives. What started as a throwaway conversation became the best decision we ever made for our family. Our boys grew up with a freedom and sense of community that is increasingly rare nowadays, and we were welcomed into island life from the very beginning. Living beside the sea, becoming part of the RNLI family and building Cantick Head into something people travel from across the world to experience has been incredibly special to us both.

We could quite easily have sold the property and business in the conventional way, but the more we spoke about it, the more we felt we had an opportunity to do something different. This competition gives somebody else the chance to experience the lifestyle and sense of community that we have been fortunate enough to enjoy, whilst also raising money for charities and organisations that genuinely mean a great deal to us. If we can help make a positive difference for others at the same time, then that feels very worthwhile.’

The RNLI is a charity funded entirely through voluntary donations, to provide a 24-hour lifesaving service around the coasts of the UK and Ireland. Every launch, training exercise and rescue depends upon the generosity of the public and the dedication of thousands of volunteers who give their time to help save lives at sea. For Alan and Vicky, whose lives have become deeply connected to both the sea and the RNLI community in Orkney, supporting Longhope RNLI through the prize draw was a natural choice.

For more information: www.cantickhead.com

Notes to editors

· Longhope lifeboat station has been operating since 1874. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: Longhope Lifeboat Station (rnli.org)

RNLI Media Contacts

For further information, please contact:

Vicky Mackinnon, Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer for RNLI Scotland, [email protected]

Richard Smith, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Communications Lead for Scotland, 07920 365929, [email protected]

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789, [email protected]

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI is the charity that saves lives at sea. Its volunteers provide a 24-hour search and rescue service around the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland coasts. The RNLI operates 238 lifeboat stations in the UK and Ireland and more than 240 lifeguard units on beaches around the UK and Channel Islands. The RNLI is independent of Coastguard and government and depends on voluntary donations and legacies to maintain its rescue service. Since the RNLI was founded in 1824, its lifeboat crews and lifeguards have saved over 146,700 lives.

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For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, TikTok and YouTube. News releases, videos and photos are available on the News Centre.

Contacting the RNLI - public enquiries

Members of the public may contact the RNLI on 0300 300 9990 (UK) or 1800 991802 (Ireland) or by email.