Shetland had a blast from the past yesterday as the foghorn at Sumburgh lighthouse sounded for the first time in a generation.
The distinctive signal revived memories of a bygone time for members of the community who gathered to see the historic event.
Its return means that Shetland Amenity Trust has been able to complete another milestone of its Sumburgh Lighthouse restoration project.
The restoration is thanks to the work of Northern Lighthouse Board engineer Brian Johnson.
Mr Johnson has spent the past few years restoring the foghorn apparatus, and it is now the only working foghorn of its type in Scotland, if not the world.
Built in 1905 and powered by compressed air driven by a diesel Kelvin engine, the Sumburgh foghorn was last heard in 1987.
The Sumburgh foghorn used to warn nearby shipping with a seven second long blast every 90 seconds.
This is controlled by an air driven clockwork mechanism, which operates valves in the correct sequence, and at the correct time.
Trust chairman Brian Gregson said: “It is quite remarkable to hear this foghorn again, as far as we know it is the only one that is still working.
“For anyone who has heard one before it is an emotional experience in that it brings back memories – and for anyone who has never heard it before it must be quite amazing.”
Sumburgh Lighthouse was designed by Robert Stevenson, grandfather to author Robert Louis, and was constructed in 1821 by Peterhead building contractor John Reid.
It is being restored as part of a £4.5million project.
More than £3.7million of funding has come from national and European sources into the Shetland economy.