
Longhope celebrates 150th anniversary on Monday 16 September 2024
On Monday, 16 September 2024, our local community concluded a year of events celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Longhope Lifeboat Station.
In the late nineteenth century, shipping traffic through the Pentland Firth, a treacherous stretch of water off the north coast of Scotland, significantly increased. Known for having some of the world's most powerful tidal currents, the Firth also saw a corresponding rise in shipwrecks. In response, the first lifeboat station was established in 1874 in Brims, a small village on the island of Hoy.
In 1906, a new boathouse with a slipway was built to replace the original facility, and this building now serves as the Lifeboat Museum. In 1999, the lifeboat was relocated to a purpose-built berth at Longhope Pier, with the current Lifeboat Station completed in 2001.
The Longhope Lifeboat Station has a proud history of saving lives in the treacherous waters of the Pentland Firth, with many brave individuals making the ultimate sacrifice in their efforts to help others. On 16 September 2024, the station's year-long celebrations culminated in the third and final walk of a series of three, a three-mile journey from the Lifeboat Museum to the current Lifeboat Station in Longhope. Upon arrival, children from North Walls Primary School performed a dance entitled ‘Our Heroes, specially choreographed by Mabel Besant to honour the lifeboat crews of Longhope, both past and present.
The weather was beautiful, with clear blue skies and bright sunshine, perfect conditions for the walk. The group of walkers included volunteer lifeboat crew members, shore staff, fundraisers, local community members, and schoolchildren. The walk took about an hour, and the children did wonderfully; no complaints, only chatter and laughter. Upon arrival, members of the Guild were waiting with much-appreciated cake, tea, and juice. The children then expended their remaining energy with a fantastic performance of ‘Our Heroes’. The pier echoed with the sounds of Scottish music, clapping, and laughter as the children danced and whirled. It was a perfect and fitting end to our year of celebrations.
The RNLI is a charity dedicated to saving lives at sea, relying entirely on public donations to fund its vital work. Between the screening of ‘Launch!’ on 13 September 2024, and the commemorative events on 16 September 2024, we have raised £243 for the RNLI. Together, we can ensure that this essential lifesaving service continues for years to come.
Thank you to everyone who has supported, and continues to support our cause.
Notes to editors
· Longhope lifeboat station has been operating since 1874 and celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2024. To learn more about the lifeboat station go to: Longhope Lifeboat Station (rnli.org)
RNLI media contacts
Vicky Mackinnon, Lifeboat Press Officer, 07703 688066, [email protected]
Natasha Bennett, RNLI Regional Media Officer for Scotland, 07826 900639, [email protected]
Martin Macnamara, RNLI Regional Media Manager 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.