TWO of the lighthouses on the Isle of May will open their doors next weekend to visitors.

Scottish Natural Heritage is encouraging people to take a trip to the island, in the outer Firth of Forth, next Saturday and Sunday (September 6 and 7).

The lighthouses, including associated buildings such as the engine room and the keepers’ cottages, will be open to visitors to explore.

The Isle of May has been a lighthouse island for more than 350 years and has three lighthouses, including Scotland’s oldest, the Beacon, which dates back to 1636.

Besides the lighthouses on the island, visitors will be able to explore the other structures that help a lighthouse island to function.

This includes a well-preserved example of a lighthouse engine room, one of the two fog horns on the island, and two lighthouse keepers’ cottages.

David Pickett, reserve manager, said: “This is an exciting chance to get a glimpse of the life of a lighthouse keeper.

“The first lighthouse in Scotland started lighting the night sky 378 years ago to warn ships in the Firth of Forth of the rocky Isle of May.

“Since then, the island has developed a lighthouse heritage greater than almost anywhere else in Scotland.” It’s free to visit the reserve, but a boat trip is needed to reach the island.

To do so, contact the Scottish Seabird Centre at North Berwick on 01620 890202.