_By permission of the Lighthouse Literature Mission._ THE SKERRYVORE, SCOTLAND’S MOST FAMOUS LIGHTHOUSE. The erection of this tower upon a straggling low-lying reef 24 miles off Iona, and exposed to the full fury of the Atlantic, ranks as one of the world’s engineering wonders.] The confidence of the Commissioners in the ability of their engineer was so complete that he received the official sanction to begin, and in 1838 the undertaking was commenced. The engineer immediately formulated his plans of campaign for a stiff struggle with Nature. One of the greatest difficulties was the necessity to transport men, supplies and material over a long distance, as the Scottish coast in this vicinity is wild and sparsely populated. He established his base on the neighbouring island of Tyree, where barracks for the workmen, and yards for the preparation of the material, were erected, while another colony was established on the Isle of Mull for the quarrying of the granite. A tiny pier or jetty had to be built at this point to facilitate the shipment of the stone, and at Tyree a small harbour had to be completed to receive the vessel which was built specially for transportation purposes between the base and the rock. Another preliminary was the provision of accommodation for the masons upon the reef. The Atlantic swell, which rendered landing on the ridge precarious and hazardous, did not permit the men to be housed upon a floating home, as had been the practice in the early days of the Bell Rock tower. In order to permit the work to go forward as uninterruptedly as the sea would permit, a peculiar barrack was erected. It was a house on stilts, the legs being sunk firmly into the rock, with the living-quarters perched some 40 feet up in the air. The skeleton type of structure was selected because it did not impede the natural movement of the waves. It was an ingenious idea, and fulfilled the purpose of its designer admirably, while the men became accustomed to their strange home after a time. For two years it withstood the seas without incident, and the engineer and men came to regard the eyrie as safe as a house on shore. But one night the little colony received a shock. The angry Atlantic got one or two of its trip-hammer blows well home, and smashed the structure to fragments. Fortunately, at the time it was untenanted. The workmen, who were on shore waiting to go out to the rock to resume their toil, were downcast at this unexpected disaster, but the engineer was not at all ruffled. He promptly sent to Glasgow for further material, and lost no time in rebuilding the quaint barrack upon new and stronger lines. This erection defied the waves successfully until its demolition after the Skerryvore was finished.