Three locations on Day 6 of the Seabirds and Castles Photography Tour July 2021

St Mary’s Lighthouse

Our last photographic stop of the day was at St Mary’s Lighthouse which it turned out isn’t in Northumberland! The lighthouse stands on a tiny island linked to the mainland by a concrete causeway. By now we were getting hungry and had our lunch from the food stand in the car park. Less hungry members of the tour had ice cream for the van parked further into the car park.

We set up our tripods next to the causeway to start the serious photography of the lighthouse with reflections.

Outside the lighthouse

The remaining members of the tour were given tickets by Robert to visit the lighthouse.

We looked over the rocks around the island at the seals laying on the rocks below.

The Range Finder

Next to the lighthouse is a pillar of concrete. This was built in 1914 and was used in two world wars to calibrate coastal defence guns.

Inside the lighthouse

At our allotted time we went inside the lighthouse and climbed up the circular staircase , first to the top gallery and then up to the lantern.

Standing by the lantern we had views of the causeway and the car park.

This is the view descending the main staircase.

Before we went into the gift shop we spent time examining the exhibits on the walls.

Curry’s Point

Before we left I found this plaque marking the site of an ancient gibbet just below the car park.

Curry’s Point

On 4th September 1739 Michael Curry was executed for the murder of the landlord of the Three Horseshoes Inn Hartley.

His body was afterwards hung in chains from a gibbet on this spot within sight of the scene of his crime.

Ever since that gruesome event this headland has been known as Curry’s Point.