A limited edition of a Harris Tweed design has been produced to mark the centenary of the Iolaire tragedy.
Over 200 naval ratings returning home at the end of WW1 drowned when the Admiralty yacht HMY Iolaire sank at the mouth of Stornoway harbour in the early hours of New Year's Day 1919. Only 80 people survived.
Workers at the Kenneth Mackenzie mill in Stornoway persuaded bosses to produce an “one off” pattern to commemorate the 100 years since the disaster.
Nautical colours are included in the specially produced tweed with a prominent blue and red check pattern depicting a ship’s rigging.
Blues and greys represent the seascape of the ocean and the rocks.
Kenneth Mackenzie’s is the oldest Harris Tweed mill still in production and -
Bodies of the sailors were taken ashore at the naval base just 100 metres from the mill.
Proceeds from the sale of the tweed will be donated to a maritime charity with local links, in memory of all those who lost their lives in the sinking.
Mill managing director, Alex Lockerby highlighted the “considerable strength of feeling” amongst staff regarding the anniversary.
Mr Lockerby highlighted the disaster was a “significant event” in the history of the island.
“We have employees who have relatives who were in the disaster and we wanted to support them in commemorating the anniversary.”
Weavers producing the cloth at their homes in Lewis have a family connection with the Iolaire.
John Murdo Graham said it was a “privilege and an honour “ to be asked to weave the special cloth.
Mr Graham’s great grandfather, Donald Murray from South Shawbost was lost in the disaster.
Donald Murray was 40 years old at the time and was called up early in the war, serving as a petty officer and was seconded to HMS Imperiuse.
Donald had lived his civilian life as a fisherman and had a wealth of experience from working at sea that made him popular with the Royal Naval Reserves.
He and his wife Murdina Maclean were parents to seven children.
Their family suffered an unimaginable amount of grief as between February 1911 and March 1915 they had lost all three sons.
Donald himself drowned on the Iolaire just weeks before his youngest daughter was born.
Weaving the Iolaire tweed has “provoked a lot of thought with the family” about their personal connection with the tragedy.
The disaster had a “profound effect on the island,” said Mr Graham.
He highlighted the producing a special design to commemorate the centenary event is “highly appropriate.”
He added: “Harris Tweed symbolises the Western Isles -
“Certain aspects of what we do nowadays are identical since the passing of these people.”
A number of commemorative events are taking place in the run up the 100th anniversary.
A service during New Year’s Day is also being arranged.
Harris Tweed mill produces commemorative Iolaire pattern
3 September 2018
Mill director Alex Lockerby said it was important to commemorate the disaster
Weaver John Murdo Graham said he was honoured to be asked to be involved in producing the Iolaire tweed