Stuff You Should Know Selects: The Flannen Isles Mystery
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Aug 23, 2025 In December 1900, three lighthouse keepers mysteriously vanished from a remote Scottish island, sparking endless intrigue. The podcast explores the history and lore surrounding the Flannan Isles Lighthouse, revealing the life and duties of lighthouse keepers amid natural challenges. Delve into the chilling legacy of St. Flannan and the potential supernatural elements linked to this case. The discussion also examines various theories about the keepers' disappearances, including storms and local folklore, keeping the mystery alive and unsolved.
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Remote, Hazardous Lighthouse Location
- The Flannan Isles Lighthouse stands on a very remote, windy cliff 200+ feet above sea level in the Outer Hebrides.
- Its isolation and treacherous seas made the station both necessary and hazardous for keepers.
The Three Keepers On Duty
- The three keepers were James Ducat, Thomas Marshall, and occasional Donald MacArthur filling in for William Ross.
- They staffed the brand-new 1899 lighthouse and were the only people living on Island Moor apart from sheep.
Relief Ship Found No Response
- Relief ship Hesperus arrived December 26 and found no response from the keepers despite standard customs to greet relief crews.
- The absence of any greeting immediately signaled a serious problem to the relief crew.