Lightkeepers were divided into two grades, namely, Principal Lightkeepers and Assistant Lightkeepers. Generally their primary duties were to keep the light and fog signal in perfect working order. At night each Keeper was required to keep a watch in the lightroom to ensure the proper working of the light, the hours of such duty differing in accordance with the type of station at which the keeper was serving. During daytime all keepers were engaged in cleaning, painting, if necessary, and generally keeping the premises clean and tidy. Normally there were six Lightkeepers at Rock Stations (three on the Rock and three having a spell ashore) and four at Mainland Fog Signal Stations.
On 31 March 1998 over 211 years of Lightkeeping tradition came to an end in Scotland at Fair Isle South Lighthouse – Scotland’s last manned lighthouse.