HMY Iolaire Memorial
Carragh-cuimhne na h-Iolaire
A memorial to the sailors lost on New Year's Day 1919 when a yacht carrying returning soldiers sank within sight of port. 201 people died, and the tragedy remains the deepest wound for the people of Lewis.
In the early hours of 1 January 1919, the yacht Iolaire, carrying World War I veterans home, struck the Holm rocks just outside Stornoway harbour and sank. A total of 201 people died, and nearly every village on Lewis lost family members. The memorial stands on the shore at the Holm and overlooks the rocks where the ship went down. For the centenary in 2019, a bronze sculpture and a memorial wall were added. It is about 4 km from Stornoway, and admission is free.
Opening hours
All day
Nearby sights
- Stornoway
- Lews Castle & Museum nan Eilean
- St Columba's Church, Ui
- Bridge to Nowhere & Garry Beach
- Tiumpan Head
- Clach an Truiseil
- Arnol Blackhouse
- St Moluag's Church (Teampull Mholuaidh)