Iolaire Memorial

This small memorial, standing at the entrance to Stornoway Harbour, is in memory of more than 200 sailors who drowned only 50 yards away on 1 January 1919. Their transport, His Majesty's Yacht "Iolaire" ran aground on a reef, the Beasts of Holm, and sank. Seventy-five of those on board survived. Coming on top of more than 1,100 lost in the four years of the First World War, this loss was almost too much to bear.

As per custom, those visiting will leave a stone on the cairn nearby. Today was a brilliantly sunny and bright day, affording views as far away as Broadford in Skye, 75 miles to the south, and only 9 miles from Kyle of Lochalsh, from where the Iolaire started her fateful voyage on 31 December 1918.

More information here.