Iolaire Disaster

I have previously blogged about this sad episode in the history of the Isle of Lewis. In brief, 205 men drowned on New Year's morning 1919 when their ship sank 3 miles south of Stornoway. It was carrying 300 naval reservists back to Lewis after World War One. The ship went off course and hit rocks. After an hour and a half, it went down. Only 75 survived.

After losing 1,000 men in the Great War, the loss of another 200 was almost too much to bear for the islanders. This is still not spoken about. I have done a little research into this catastrophe, and found a great reluctance through the 88 years since then to discuss the Iolaire Disaster.

The year 2007 will the Scottish Highland Year of Culture. I was today approached by the National Museums of Scotland for the use of one of my pictures, to be used as a backdrop for an exhibition on this subject, which will tour Scotland next year. I am flattered and honoured to do so. Throughout my stint here in Stornoway, I have always felt that the Men of the Iolaire were not given the honour they were due. That is NOT a slight against the people of this island. They would not discuss, because it was too painful. The survivors would not talk, as they felt guilty that they had lived where their brothers, fathers, uncles and neighbours had died.

The last survivor died in 1992. I think it is a sensible move to turn the spotlight on the unfortunate men who died just 3 miles south of Stornoway, within sight of the lights of their island town. They should not be forgotten.

(Also have a look at my webpage Iolaire)