L2L Day 98 Iolaire monument and ferry to Ullapool


On Dec 31st 1919, the troop ship Iolaire  set sail from the Kyle of Lochalsh carrying 280 soldiers and sailors returning from action in WW1.  With a Force 10 gale and a heavy sea, the ship should not really have sailed but the prospect of returning the men to their families on Lewis in time for hogmanay, motivated the crew to take to sea.

In pitch darkness, within yards of the Lewis shore and only half a mile from Stornoway harbour, the ship hit rocks - known as the 'Beasts of Holm' and very quickly sank. By dawn 201 men had drowned.

It's a very moving story and a powerful memorial on the headland only yards from where the ship foundered. The men's names are listed by parish.



Apparently on top of the loss of local men during the war, this incident led to further emigration and depopulation of the islands following the war. A very sad story.


We walked back to the town in time for a coffee in the Arts centre, where we got talking to two very nice ladies who clearly thought we needed 'saving' before we made our tactical withdrawal and headed for the ferry terminal and the boat to Ullapool.



We had a smooth 2 hour crossing and were greeted into Ullapool in the sunshine by a school of dolphins.

Wonderful!!!!







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