Iolaire Centre

21/10/2026

The Iolaire Poppy Pin commemorating the loss of the Iolaire is again available to purchase ahead of Remembrance Day this year.

The unique enamel badge was hugely popular during the commemorations for the 100th anniversary and has continued to be well-sought-after over the past few years.

Visit Events in Stornoway where they will be available up until Remembrance Day in November.

Last year we trialled posting badges further afield and we are doing this again this year. If you would like one posted, the cost is £4 for each badge + £2 to cover postage costs. Please DM us to arrange.

11/01/2026

Tèarnadh / Survivor is available to view until 1st February on BBC iPlayer. This beautiful short film (13 minutes) tells the story of an Iolaire survivor remembering a friend lost.

Listen out for the wonderful soundtrack by Julie Fowlis and Duncan Chisholm too.

Dràma goirid – tha fear a thàinig beò às a’ cuimhneachadh air tubaist na h-Iolaire. Short drama – a survivor recounts his memories of the tragedy of the Iolaire disaster.

09/01/2026

7pm, Saturday 10th January at Stornoway Airport, an evening of music and talks about the Iolaire and our local Coastguards. Tickets still available at this link: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/iolaireartsislands/the-iolaire-arts-and-the-islands/2026-01-10/19:00/t-glazgko

31/12/2025

107 years ago, on 1st January 1919, HMY Iolaire hit the Beast of Holm with 280 men on board. By the time the first New Year's Day of peacetime dawned, 201 lives had been lost and a community was left devastated.

We will remember them.

27/10/2025

The Iolaire Poppy Pin commemorating the loss of the Iolaire is again available to purchase ahead of Remembrance Day this year.

The unique enamel badge was hugely popular during the commemorations for the 100th anniversary and has continued to be well-sought-after over the past few years.

Pop into Events in Stornoway where they will be available up until Remembrance Day in November.

11/04/2025

Line Lund and Kate Hulme from Event Communications lead a presentation about the Iolaire Centre proposed for Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.

They outline a visitor journey learning about the Hebridean relationship with the sea, what it gives and what it takes away. The story of the Iolaire tragedy is told in a reflective and respectful way ensuring it is preserved for future generations.

The presentation took place on Tuesday 1st April 2025 in An Lanntair in Stornoway.

03/04/2025

Did you spot the Iolaire Centre piece on STV news yesterday evening?

Stewart Graham and Malcolm MacDonald, Trustees for the Charity and Kate Hulme and Line Lund from Event Communications speak about the proposed centre and its importance.

It was the worst peacetime maritime disaster in Britain, since the sinking of the Titanic. More than 200 servicemen died, in the sinking of the Iolarie in 19...

30/03/2025

As part of the Iolaire Centre presentation taking place on Tuesday 1st April, we are delighted to be screening the premiere of 'Survivor', a short film (13 minutes) about resilience inspired by the Iolaire tragedy.

Produced by Julie Fowlis and Duncan Chisolm, commissioned by 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary, this film is a continuation of the work initiated by An Lanntair that marked the 100 year anniversary of the tragedy. The release of Survivor is supported by 14-18 NOW.

Duncan will be there in person to introduce the short film and speak about the importance of highlighting the stories to a wide audience.

The Iolaire Centre project has developed a proposal for a world-class centre of cultural heritage, multi-medium powerful storytelling, insight and understanding, deep learning and inspiration for the future. Come along to see and hear about the proposals and how it responds to local and visitor need...

29/03/2025

Join us on Tuesday 1st April from 7 to 8.30pm at An Lanntair to hear about the plans for the proposed Iolaire Centre in Stornoway.

Over the last 6 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.

If you have any questions about the presentation please contact [email protected], or for venue accessibility information please contact An Lanntair directly.

11/01/2025

Have you been a visitor to the Islands recently, or can share this link with someone who has?

The Iolaire Centre team is looking for input from visitors and tourists who have, or are planning to, visit the Outer Hebrides. We are in the early stages of planning what the Iolaire Centre would hold, what stories it tells and what activities it hosts. We want to hear from a range of people about how they would want to use it, so that this can guide our plans and decision making.

Your voice is really important to us!

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JN9PZSB