Combining books, poetry, tv and music

"The mystery of Eilean Mor" is based on the true story of the Eilean Mor lighthouse, author Gary Crew investigates what secrets the lighthouse hides, in this hauntingly beautiful picture book illustrated by Jeremy Geddes.
The Flannan Isles Lighthouse, designed by Mr D Alan Stevenson, was erected in December 1899. It stands on Eileen Mor, one of the Flannan Islands off Scotland. Just over a year after the light was first exhibited. In December 1900, a disaster occurred which has since captured the imagination of the public in much the same way as the "Marie Celeste”. A vessel passed the Flannan Islands about midnight on 15 December and on arrival in port reported that the light was not seen. The Lighthouse Tender Hesperus arrived at the Flannans during the afternoon of 26 December, there was no sign of life to be seen on the island. The relieving keeper was landed on the Island, went up to the lighthouse, but found no one there.
The disappearance was immediately investigated, indications showed that the men disappeared on the afternoon of Saturday 15 December, and from the traces found, it was evident that very bad weather had been experienced on the Island. It was concluded that the men must have left the lighthouse for some purpose or other, probably to secure some gear or to ascertain what damage had been done at one of the landing places, (110 feet in all above the sea level). The investigative report findings believed the men had been washed out to sea by a massive wave.
The lighthouse remained manned until 28th September 1971, when it became an automatic light.

At school I had to memorise Wilfrid Wilson Gibson's poem "Flannan Isle" - 'Though three men dwell on Flannan Isle, To keep the lamp alight,...' so I found this book all the more poignant. Part of this poem was quoted during Dr Who's "The horror of Fang Rock", and it was also the basis for the Genesis song "The Mystery of Flannan Isle Lighthouse".