Building the Bell Rock Lighthouse‪.‬

Ever since the first mariners sailed off the east coast of Scotland the Bell Rock has claimed many vessels and countless lives. Also known as the Inch Cape Rocks they lie 18 km off the coast at Arbroath. Located near the mouth of the Firth of Forth and its important shipping ports these dangerous rocks cover an area some 440 m long and 90 m wide. Submerged for all but up to four hours a day it is said that a floating bell was moored at the rocks as early as the sixteen century in an effort to warn unwary mariners. The fierce North Sea storms can blow passing boats onto the rocks. At high tide, these rocks are covered to a depth of 3.5 metres of water. In calm weather and at a moderate tide no breakers betray the presence of the rocks. In years past many ships were lost after having their keels ripped out as they sailed the placid waters over the hidden rocks at moderate tides.