Chalmers Lighthouse

The Chalmers Lighthouse, also known as Anstruther Lighthouse, was built at the end of the west pier at Anstruther Harbour in 1880.

It was built as a memorial to the late Dr Thomas Chalmer, who died 31 May 1847.

Chalmers was born in Anstruther and was destined to become a mathematician, political economist, theology professor and leader of the Free Church of Scotland.

I hadn't heard of Thomas Chalmers prior to my visit here, but he seems to have a heck of a legacy. Time to get researching!

Thomas Chalmers was born on 17 March 1780 in Anstruther to a merchant father.

He was educated at St Andrews University, where he later became licensed to preach the gospel by St Andrews presbytery. He continued his studies at Edinburgh whilst becoming the assistant to the maths professor at St Andrews, before creating his own lectures in maths and chemistry.

In May 1803, he was ordained as minister of Kilmany, near St Andrews.

By 1815, he became minister of the Tron Church in Glasgow. In Glasgow, he created a church for those currently without a church. As minister at St John's, he successfully reduced the cost of supporting the poor, from £1400 to £280 per annum. He established school houses and sabbath schools, in the belief that the poor should be supported locally through education, self sufficiency and community support.

In 1823, he became chair of moral philosophy at St Andrews, then in 1828, he transferred to Edinburgh as chair of theology.

In 1834, Chalmers became leader of the evangelical section of theScottish Church in the General Assembly. He headed a party that stood for 'absence of intrusion' (a minister should be approved by the congregation, not forced upon them).

It was this that led to 470 clergy withdrawing from the General Assembly in 1843, and the Free Church of Scotland was born with Chalmers as moderator. He also served as vice president to the Royal Society of Edinburgh from 1835 to 1842.

Throughout his career, Chalmers published several volumes in the subjects of religion and economy.

I have tried relentlessly to find out more about the design of the structure, but have come back empty handed. It was definitely funtional as a lighthouse/beacon to guide ships into the harbour. It appears to run on mains electricity, but originally was much more likely to have been run on oil.

If anyone can guide me to a reliable source, I would be very grateful.

The inscription on the plaque reads,

CHALMERS LIGHTHOUSE

IN MEMORY OF

THOMAS CHALMERS DD LLD

A NATIVE OF ANSTRUTHER

DIED 31ST MAY 1847

INAUGURATED IN THE CENTENARY OF HIS BIRTH

17TH MARCH 1880

ERECTED BY HANNAH HARVIE

THE DONOR OF THE LIFEBOAT ADMIRAL FITZROY

AND THE SAFETY RAIL ON THIS PIER

THE LORD ON HIGH IS MIGHTIER THAN THE NOISE OF MANY

WATERS YEA THAN THE MIGHTY WAVES OF THE SEA

In 1803, Chalmers married Grace Pratt, and went on to have six daughters. His eldest Anne, married William Hanna who wrote a biography of Chalmers.

On his death in 1847, Chalmers was the first person to be buried at the Grange Cemetery in Edinburgh. He was joined by his wife in 1850, then later two of his six daughters.

He has been referred to as 'Scotland's greatest nineteenth century church leader' and 'chief Scottish man of his time'.

There is plenty of parking along the harbour front at Anstruther and it is worth spending time in this bustling harbour and enjoy the atmosphere of this pretty coastal town.