In 1900, 3 lighthouse keepers vanished from Scotland's distant Flannan Isles. 126 years later, no definitive account explains exactly what happened to the men

In December 1900, lighthouse keepers James Ducat, Thomas Marshall and Donald McArthur disappeared from the Flannan Isles Lighthouse on Eilean Mòr in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides. Their absence was discovered on December 26 when the tender Hesperus reached the island after an earlier attempt had been delayed by poor weather. The lighthouse was empty, yet the station appeared largely maintained, while damage at the western landing suggested severe conditions. An investigation concluded that the men may have been swept away while securing equipment.