Support for Designation of Iolaire Site as a War Grave

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has welcomed the support of the First Minister for designating the site of the wreck of The Iolaire as a War Grave.

The MSP for the Western Isles, Dr Alasdair Allan raised the issue today at First Minister’s Question Time. First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon, confirmed that she was supportive of the move.

The First Minister also attended the Iolaire 100th Commemorative service on 1st January.

Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Chairman of the Iolaire Working Group, Cllr Norman A MacDonald, said:

“I very much welcome the support of the First Minister and the Scottish Government for the designation of the Iolaire site as an official war grave. We raised this issue with the Scottish Commemorations Panel and it would be fitting for the memory of the men lost on that terrible night and their families that recognition is given in this way.

 “We are also all very grateful that the First Minister, together with HRH The Prince Charles, Lord of the Isles, attended the commemoration service on the 1st January and paid a very fitting tribute.”

 201 servicemen lost their lives when the Iolaire sank just yards off the shore of the Western Isles in the early hours of 1st January 1919.  Around a third of the bodies were never recovered.