Exhibition review

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh until 3 April 2011 http://www.nms.ac.uk/shininglights

This exhibition marks the bicentenary of the lighting of the world's oldest rock lighthouse – the Bell Rock which lies 12 miles off Arbroath in the North Sea. The museum's collection of lighthouse-related objects was mainly assembled in the late 19th century and is a remarkable testament to some very special individuals who devoted themselves to saving lives by building and manning the lighthouses whose design and groundbreaking engineering achievements this exhibition celebrates.

The Stevenson family epitomised the values prevalent in much of Presbyterian Scotland in the late 18th and 19th centuries; a ferocious work ethic, loyalty to the cause of saving lives, and a respect for the sea which at times was sorely tested. Over four generations this family was responsible for the planning, designing and construction of 97 of the 208 lighthouses peppered round the Scottish coast. A map of their distribution seems to illustrate the utilitarian economy of scale which resulted in the optimum number for the greatest coverage of the thousands of miles of wild Scottish coastline, a possible metaphor for how to spread precious resources to minimise inequalities in the NHS …

The variety of lenses and mirrors providing the power for the lights which ultimately guided the ships to safer waters were the result of cutting-edge technology excelled at by the French. One of the best known examples is the Fresnel lens, an awesome structure of sharp angles and beauty taking centre stage on the exhibition floor.

Alongside the science are the very human stories of the many keepers of the lights, the last of whom stepped down from his formidably rigorous duties in 1998 as the final remaining manned lighthouse was automated. Living as they had to in the most inhospitable corners of the country, their sacrifices are given prominence throughout the exhibition.

A suitable motto for this exhibition of blending cutting-edge science with human endeavour in the service of mankind would be Cum Scientia Caritas … if you're in Edinburgh pop in and see it. It's free and very humbling.

• Download figure
• Open in new tab
• Download powerpoint

Rattray Head, between Peterhead and Fraserburgh, designed by David Alan Stevenson.