THEY are not normally buildings which are difficult to find and have been designed to be visible from all points of the compass.
But until now no guidebook existed to show the way to each of Scotland's lighthouses.
Lecturer Peter Gellatly has spent the last 20 years touring the country seeking out and photographing all of the landmark lighthouses from coast to coast.
The 45-year-old, who teaches Accounting and Administration at the College’s Coatbridge Campus, said that his book is "unique" and was inspired by his childhood dream of living in one of the towering structures.
He said: "What was interesting to me initially was that I wanted to stay in a lighthouse, because many of them have been sold off, and there wasn’t anywhere that I could go to find that resource.
"I thought, well, if there’s nothing there, then I’m going to do it myself.
“People do like a tangible thing, especially when you’re travelling where there’s often no mobile phone coverage or wi-fi, so that’s why I’ve created a hard copy book.”
Mr Gellatly's quest to shine a light on the impressive structures was conducted from his home in Coatbridge and made without the use of a car.
Instead, he relied on planes, trains, taxis, buses, bicycles, boats - and good, old-fashioned walking - to get around.
Last year, the keen photographer visited 22 lighthouses, and notched up 15 visits in 2015.
One of his recent trips involved flying from Glasgow to Campbeltown, then privately chartering a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) to visit six lighthouses around the West of Scotland in one day.
Peter added: “It does take a lot of time to plan, because I’m travelling by public transport most of the time to really remote areas.
“I just want to get the best photos that I can get to put into the book, even if it means incurring a big personal expense.
“I’ve been very lucky that the weather seems to follow me – it’s strange! People are always amazed that I come home with fantastic photos.
“I always seem to get good opportunities, like capturing a tall ship or a helicopter. I seem to be in the right place at the right time.”
His book will be launched at a free event at the Port Logan Harbour in association with Mull of Galloway Lighthouse Trust on July 22-23 to celebrate the work of engineer Thomas Telford.
Any profits from his self-financed book will be donated to the lighthouse community to fund upkeep.
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