05/08/2026
MAGNUS LEASK
KEEPERS' CORNER
Today we shine a spotlight on the service of Shetlander Magnus J. Leask, from the isle of Yell, who served the Commissioners of Northern Lighthouses 1952-1991.
Magnus Leask joined the service in the year he turned 21, being sent to his first proper posting at McArthur's Head, which overlooks the southern entrance to the Sound of Islay. A fairly remote station in 1952, it would have had very little in the way of comfortable living. In June 1954, Magnus married Margaret Smith from Islay, at the Kilmeny parish church in the village of Ballygrant. They remained at McArthur's Head until 1956 when they were posted to Davaar, near Campbeltown.
Davaar is a tidal island which sits at the mouth of Campbeltown Loch, and is connected to the mainland by a natural shingle causeway called the Dhorlin. Davaar lighthouse must have been a novelty with it's brand new parabolic reflectors, installed only in 1950; a Stevenson invention to cut down on the cost of lenses. After about 4 years the Leasks left in 1960, onwards to the Mull of Kintyre; one of Scotland's four oldest lights, and overlooks the North Channel, between Scotland and Northern Ireland. While at the Mull of Kintyre, Magnus and Margaret had two sons; Harald, who was born in 1963, and Erling, who was born in 1964.
In 1965, they were shifted again, this time to Rona, with its shore station for the light keepers' families based in Portree. Rona lies to the north of the neighbouring island of Raasay, and east of the Trotternish peninsula in Skye. The lighthouse is located at the north end of the island. During his time at Rona, Magnus worked with Calum Macleod from the island of Raasay, who was the boatman as well as the Local Assistant light keeper. Calum famously spent over a decade (1964-1974) single-handedly building a 1.75 mile single track road by hand in northern Raasay to prevent his community from dying out.
As Magnus was near to the top of the promotion list, his time at Rona was short. In 1967 after his first 15 years of service, when his promotion did come through the Leasks were sent north to Orkney!
His first stop as Principal was to Hoy High lighthouse on the island of Graemsay, a comfortable enough station a short boat trip away from Stromness. At Hoy High, the light keepers were also responsible for looking after the neighbouring Hoy Low lighthouse, which was automated and destaffed in 1966. While at Hoy High, Magnus was a member of the Graemsay band, and usually played the accordion, or fiddle in the Graemsay hall. One of his many compositions was 'The Graemsay Jig.' The Leasks remained at Hoy High from 1967-72. Then they were posted to a less comfortable station: The dramatic Muckle Flugga in Shetland!
Muckle Flugga is the most northerly lighthouse in the British Isles, the original light being placed there as a temporary beacon for the Crimean War in 1854. It was known to take it's share of the worst weather. The families of the light keepers resided nearby, at Burrafirth, in the north of the island of Unst. The Leasks remained there until 1976.
Their posting for the next three years was to a much less remote location; Scurdie Ness lighthouse, near to the town of Montrose. The tower at Scurdie Ness, which stands at 128 feet high, marks the entrance to the South Esk estuary, leading to the port of Montrose.
In 1979, the Leasks were shifted for another three year stint, this time to the Rhinns of Islay lighthouse on the small island of Orsay, near to the picturesque villages of Portnahaven and Port Wemyss. The families of the light keepers however, largely resided in Bowmore, but two of the other Rhinns keepers and their families resided in the town of Oban. In 1978, the light was converted to electric operation. A modern electric sealed beam lamp unit mounted on a gearless revolving pedestal was installed to replace the older traditional optics and clockwork machinery.
In 1982, the Leasks returned to the Mull of Kintyre, where they spent the next six years. While there, Magnus encountered Keith Allardyce, his image appearing in the popular book 'At Scotland's edge.' He told how twice a week there was a Land-Rover run into Campbeltown for the shopping (a distance of 16.6 miles each way). However, in a bad winter, such as in 1963 and 1984, the ascent to the Gap, which is around 1,200 feet above sea level, would often be blocked with ice and snow, which could close the keepers and their families in for weeks at a time!
In 1988, for his last posting, Magnus was homeward bound to a Shetland lighthouse; Sumburgh Head, which lies at the most southerly tip of the Shetland mainland. It was here that automation caught up with the Leasks at the end of March 1991, retirement calling after 39 years in the service. They retired nearby to Toabs Geo in Virkie.
Sadly, Magnus Leask died less than a year later in March 1992. The NLB Journal stating: "The sudden death of Magnus, so soon after his retirement, deeply shocked his family and friends who will always remember him for his cheerful and helpful nature, and also his exceptional musical ability, as one could always guarantee Magnus would produce a tune and words to suit any occasion or incident."
