The Wonderful Process of Sounding the Renovated Sumburgh Head Foghorn on Shetland Island

Foghorn

In May 2017, technician Brian Johnson sounded the beautifully renovated foghorn at the Sumburgh Head Lighthouse on Shetland Island, Scotland for the first time since 1987. Filmmaker JJ Jamieson documented the wonderful mechanical process that engages the gears to sound the horn.

The Sumburgh Head Foghorn is a striking landmark. Recently restored and re-painted, the bright red trumpet points out to sea as it has since it was built in 1905 and put into operation in 1906. …the Foghorn was last sounded in 1987, but will now sound again on special occasions.

Here’s a video of what the horn sounds like up close.

Lori Dorn
Lori Dorn

Lori is a Laughing Squid Contributing Editor based in New York City who has been writing blog posts for over a decade. She also enjoys making jewelry, playing guitar, taking photos and mixing craft cocktails.

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