Update over Iolaire Centre plans
30 March 2025
Plans for the proposed Iolaire Centre in Stornoway will be presented at an event
in the town this week.
The aim is to develop an iconic building with the project ranking in the top five
comparable visitor experiences in Scotland.
The multi-million pound visitor centre would tell the story of the disaster of Admiralty
yacht HMY Iolaire which claimed the lives of 201 of the 280 men on board when she
HMY Iolaire foundered on rocks by the entrance to Stornoway harbour in the early
hours of New Year’s Day of 1919.
The vessel had been transporting RNR servicemen from Lewis, Harris and Berneray home
for the first New Year of peace following the end of the war.
The project team has spoken to a range of people and groups across the island community
to understand how they can preserve this important story for both locals and visitors.
Meetings with focus groups have been carried out and interviews held with key stakeholders.
Primary and secondary school pupils took part in workshops as did some care home
residents as the project team seeks to understand islanders hopes, ambitions, and
vision for the centre.
The project team said: “Over the last six months the project team has spoken to a
range of people and groups across our community to understand how we can preserve
this important story for both locals and visitors.
“The centre will explore our relationship with the sea, how it both gives and takes
away, and places the Iolaire story at its heart.
“There will be opportunities to ask questions and provide feedback for input to this
ambitious project for a world class centre.”
The intention is to commission an architect of national or international renown to
design the building in conjunction “with and around the visitor learning journey,
from the inside out.”
Portraits works painted by the artist Margaret Ferguson of the men who were on the
Iolaire when she ran aground on the Beasts of Holm were proposed to put be on display
within the centre.
It is also hoped to secure “An Treas Suaile” musical work of Julie Fowlis and Duncan
Chisholm.
Ground investigations took place in 2023 at a proposed location by number one pier,
the spot where the returning service men set off from and should have been landed.
The Iolaire Centre presentation takes place on Tuesday from 7 to 8.30pm at An Lanntair.
The premier of a short film titled 'Survivor', about resilience inspired by the Iolaire
tragedy will be screened at the event.
