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Longhope RNLI 150th anniversary marked by local distillery

Lifeboats News Release

At a special ceremony at the Longhope Lifeboat Museum on Hoy last Thursday (12 December) Highland Park Distillery unveiled a special whisky to mark the 150th anniversary of Longhope RNLI.

Alan Mackinnon/Longhope RNLI

Members of the Longhope RNLI and Lifeboat Community with representatives from Highland Park with the 150th anniversary whisky.

The label of the commemorative bottle features Longhope RNLI lifeboat Thomas McCunn, a Watson class lifeboat which was on the station from 1933 until 1962. During her 29 years of service at Longhope, the Thomas Mc Cunn and its volunteer crews saved 308 lives.

A special neck tag also carries images of the Dickinson Edleston, the first lifeboat stationed at Longhope (1874-91) and the current Tamar class lifeboat Helen Comrie which has been on station since 2006.

Speaking at the launch Colin Bates, Lifeboat Operations Manager says: ‘The support from Highland Park Distillery for the charity was greatly appreciated by the station as was the continued close association with the Longhope Lifeboat Museum.’

Commenting on behalf of Highland Park, Graham Bruce, Visits and Retail Operations Manager, said: ‘We are proud to support and be a part of the Longhope RNLI 150th anniversary celebrations. Our community enjoy the whiskies we’ve created to support the work of the RNLI across Orkney and we’re pleased to create this new bottling which continues to celebrate and recognise their vital work across the islands.’


Notes to Editors

Pic 1: Back (L-R) Kevin Kirkpatrick Deputy Lieutenant, Orkney & Deputy Coxswain Longhope RNLI, Mike Webster Museum Curator, David Penn & Karen Worton, Highland Park and Ray Marshall Museum Volunteer

Front (L-R) Colin Bates Lifeboat Operations Manager & Scott Johnston Coxswain, Longhope RNLI.

Longhope RNLI lifeboat station has been operating since 1874. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/longhope-lifeboat-station

RNLI media contacts

Vicky Mackinnon, Lifeboat Press Officer, [email protected]

Natasha Rushby, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]

Tom McGuire, RNLI Regional Communications Manager for Scotland and Ireland, 00353 87 476 4436, [email protected]

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

RNLI Press Office, 01202 336789

Key facts about the RNLI

The RNLI charity 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 146,000 lives.

Learn more about the RNLI

For more information please visit the RNLI website or Facebook, Twitter 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.