Remembrance service in memory of HMY Iolaire tragedy
1 January 2021
A service was held today at Holm Point outside Stornoway commemorate 102 years since the loss of HMY lolaire on 1 January 1919.
The short service took place at 1pm this afternoon by the Iolaire memorial which is erected at the site of the tragedy.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar convener, Norman A Macdonald, laid a wreath on behalf of the comhairle and the community. The Royal British Legion also laid a wreath.
HMY Iolaire was carrying hundreds of Royal Naval Reserve sailors returning home on a spell of leave at the end of World War to visit loved ones on Lewis, Harris and Berneray.
The vessel foundered on rocks at the Beasts of Holm just outside Stornoway harbour only two hours into New Year’s Day resulting in the deaths of 201 of the 280 men on board.
Of those who perished, 174 hailed from Lewis. Five were from Harris while two teenagers belonged to Berneray. Members of the ship’s crew also died.
