In the _Account of the Skerryvore Lighthouse_, which forms the first part of this Volume, there is an important omission; and, in this short prefatory notice, I gladly embrace the only opportunity, which now remains, of supplying the defect. Although, in the course of the Narrative, I have occasionally noticed some special deliverances from danger, I have altogether neglected to record the remarkable fact, that, amidst our almost daily perils, during six seasons on the Skerryvore Rock, there was no loss of either life or limb amongst us. Those who best know the nature of the service in which we were engaged,--the daily jeopardy connected with landing weighty materials in a heavy surf and transporting the workmen in boats through a boisterous sea, the risks to so many men, involved in mining the foundations of the Tower in a space so limited, and above all, the destruction, in a single night by the violence of the waves, of our temporary barrack on the Rock, which had cost the toils of a whole season, will not wonder that I am anxious to express, what I know to have been a general feeling amongst those engaged in the work--that of heartfelt thankfulness to ALMIGHTY GOD for merciful preservation in danger, and for the final success which terminated our arduous and protracted labours. EDINBURGH, _March 25, 1848_. CONTENTS. PART I. ACCOUNT OF SKERRYVORE LIGHTHOUSE. Page Introduction -- Constitution of the Lighthouse Board -- Lights established since 1821 -- Improvements in the mode of illumination -- Dioptric Lights -- Beacons and Buoys, 9 CHAPTER I. Topographic notice of the Skerryvore Rock, 19 CHAPTER II. Preliminary arrangements and works, including survey of the rocks, and opening of quarries from 1834 to 1837 -- Survey of the Skerryvore rocks -- Disadvantages of Tyree -- Pier and workyard at Hynish, Tyree -- Quarries at Hynish -- Skerryvore Committee appointed, 37 CHAPTER III. On the construction of Lighthouse Towers, 45 CHAPTER IV. OPERATIONS OF 1838.