Longhope Lifeboat Museum

27/03/2026

We are pleased to say the Longhope Lifeboat Museum will be opening for the Easter weekend on Thursday 2 April to Sunday 5 April from 11am - 4pm.
Then from Monday 6 April our opening times are Monday to Friday 11am - 4pm.
We look forward to seeing you.

18/03/2026

Yesterday, Amber-Louise Thornborrow, very kindly selected and placed a bouquet of flowers beside the T.G.B. which is housed and cared for by the staff of the Scottish Maritime Museum in Irvine.

Her accompanying note said: 'For the crew of the Longhope Lifeboat, lost on the 17th of March 1969, remembered by their families and those at the Longhope Lifeboat Museum'

We would like to thank Amber, who is currently on placement with the Scottish Maritime Museum from Strathclyde University, for her kind and thoughtful gesture and also, for creating with the Scottish Maritime Museum, the exhibition about the T.G.B. which looks really interesting and well worth a visit.

Thank you again Amber.

17/03/2026

17 MARCH 1969
On that wild wintery night, of 17 March 1969 the power of the Pentland Firth, its streaming tides, swirling eddies and volatile currents combined with a furious gale force wind, created a mountainous, confused and violent sea. With poor visibility and driving snow showers, conditions that night were horrendous and a stricken vessel, the SS Irene, was struggling to stay afloat and was calling for help.

Eight men from Brims responding to the call launched the Longhope Lifeboat, the T.G.B. down the slipway and courageously ventured out into that dark storm. These lifeboat men, driven by a compassionate response to help others in danger at sea, never hesitated and never returned.

The tragic loss of these legendary men was deeply felt by their families, friends, and community and by people from near and far. A new tide of tears flowed silently in Brims. The heartbreaking sorrow, dignity and endurance of their families will never be forgotten.

We will carry the precious memories of these men deep in our hearts and sadly but proudly, remember the ultimate sacrifice they made for their fellow men. However, we do also remember, all the brave and successful rescues achieved and the many lives that they did save, before that disastrous night.

We also acknowledge the anguish and effort that night of the RNLI Lifeboats from Thurso, Kirkwall, Stromness, Wick and Stronsay. The horror they must have felt, clinging to hope and searching hour after hour for a sighting of the T.G.B. and their fellow lifeboat men. We remember the diligence of the Coastguards and Air Support and the incredible support from our Honorary Secretary at that time, Jacky Groat.

And we must not forget the courage and determination of the new crew members (and their families), who just months later, stepped forward and volunteered to undergo intense training and eventually launch a new Longhope Lifeboat on 22 May 1970.

Today our coxswain is Scott Johnson, grandson of Jimmy and great grandson of Soldier Bob Johnston, both lost that night.

REST IN PEACE: Dan Kirkpatrick, and his two sons Ray and Jack.
REST IN PEACE Soldier Bob Johnston and his two sons Jimmy and Robbie.
REST IN PEACE James Swanson and young Eric McFadyen.
We do remember you and we will always respect and keep your memory alive.

And here's a link to the amazing song written and performed by Bob and Louise for the 50th Anniversary and Commemoration of the loss of the Longhope Lifeboat. 17/03/2019 https://youtu.be/PtE7OkSGM5Q?si=WiTQp4FmO9om_4YC

Mary Harris

06/03/2026

Benjamin Stout was our first Longhope Lifeboat Coxswain way back in 1874 to 1900. He married Harriet Taylor Robertson of Osmundwald in 1859 and they had ten children. Living in Brims, a stone’s throw from the old lifeboat station, he remained coxswain for 26 years, retiring at the grand age of 70.

In 1891, in recognition of his gallantry and courage, Benjamin was awarded the RNLI Silver Medal following the remarkable rescue of 22 crewmen from the sinking steamship Victoria during a violent NW gale, about 15 miles north of Dunnet Head. The valiant crew deservedly received extra monetary awards.

Many of the rescued men were from Germany prompting the German Emperor to award a gold watch to Benjamin and further monetary awards to the crew. The anchor from the SS Victoria now rests at the entrance to our museum.

One of Benjamin and Harriet’s children, Mary Alice Stout married John Taylor Norquoy and we can trace the family line to our present Coxswain Scott Johnson and also to former Coxswain Kevin Kirkpatrick who was instrumental in establishing the Longhope Lifeboat Museum.

Hats off to Benjamin and Harriet and their impressive family, past and present.

Thanks to Peter Thornley, Suzanne, Nicholas Leach.

13/02/2026

If you want to be involved with the development of the Longhope Lifeboat Museum then this is a great opportunity. Thank you.

06/02/2026

53 years ago the Longhope lifeboat David and Elizabeth King & EB which was stationed at Brims from 1970-1988, was involved in a very dramatic and outstanding service to a fishing trawler the Ross Tern in the early hours of 10 February 1973.

The 300 ton trawler had run aground on rocks near Swona in the Pentland Firth and was seriously breaking up. After recovering six survivors from a raft the lifeboat battled on against the wind, sea and tide towards the stricken vessel and managed to rescue five more survivors that were clinging onto the wreck.

For his outstanding seamanship the Coxswain Jack Leslie was awarded the RNLI Bronze Medal while RNLI Medal Certificates were awarded to the crew, Second Coxswain Billy Budge, Mechanic Ian McFadyen, Assistant Mechanic Jimmy Swanson and crew members John Budge and Ian Williamson.

Read an interesting account of the dramatic event from the crew of the Ross Tern, in the article from the Press & Journal newspaper.

11/01/2026

Plans for RNLI Longhope Lifeboat station at Brims. Adaption for 45' 6" x12' 6"motor lifeboat. (Work completed 1927).

This work will have been to accommodate our first motor lifeboat the K.T.J.S. that was stationed here from 1926 to 1933. She was the first 45' 6" lifeboat to be built by the RNLI and one of only two to be powered by a single engine (80bhp Weyburn DE.6 petrol engine). She launched 24 times and saved 25 lives. As you can see in the third drawing it was a snug fit.

She replaced the Anne Miles, 43' in length and pulling 10 oars but was designed primarily for sailing. (1906 - 1926)

23/12/2025

We would like to wish you all Season's Greetings and the very best for 2026

It should be a very exciting year concerning the progress of our development plans for the museum which will be open again, as usual, in the spring.

Thank you for all your support, we really appreciate it.
From all at the Longhope Lifeboat Museum.

07/11/2025

Thank you to HB Conservation for this fine footage of the launch of our vintage lifeboat the Thomas McCunn, earlier this year.

27/09/2025

For anyone wanting to have their say and suggestions about the Longhope Lifeboat Museum, please take a minute to complete the attached survey. This opportunity closes on 30 September. We would really appreciate your involvement with this, which will help us to go forward in a positive way. Many thanks. Please click on the following link:

Longhope Lifeboat Museum is currently undergoing redevelopment supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. We are carrying out a visitor survey and would like to hear your views. Thank you for taking the time to do this survey. It should take around 5 minutes. Your answers are anonymous.

27/09/2025

We will never forget you Wing, your memory lives on. RIP.

Earlier today, Friday 26th September, William (Wing) Munro’s family, extended RNLI family and many friends said goodbye to the RNLI legend and local hero.
Volunteer crews from Longhope, Wick, Stromness, Barra, Portree and senior RNLI staff came to say their farewells.
The hearse containing his coffin, draped in the RNLI flag, arrived at the Thurso Lifeboat station to a guard of honour consisting of past and present RNLI personnel with Thurso and Longhope lifeboats afloat in the harbour.
The hearse and family cars left the station with an es**rt of Coastguard, Ambulance, Fire service and Police vehicles.
Both lifeboat crews lit flares as a mark of respect.
Wing’s service was conducted by his great friend Chaplain H. Murray Campbell O.B.E, M.N.M, within St Peter’s & St Andrew’s Church.
Following the service RNLI personnel walked behind the hearse for several hundred yards.
At Thurso cemetery there was a further RNLI guard of honour and the mourners toasted Wing with a wee dram.

25/09/2025

We will be closing for the season tomorrow but will open, if possible, by special request.
Thank you for all your support and we'll be opening again
Monday - Friday, 11am - 4pm, in Spring 2026.