Tour guide was heading to boat service
BY MIKE MERRITT A WOMAN who died after being hit by a car was on her way to a church service to remember a wartime tragedy.
Joan Murray Morrison, 67, was struck on the island of Lewis at about 5.30pm on Monday.
It is understood she was heading to a service commemorating the centenary of the HMY Iolaire maritime disaster.
On New Year’s Day, islanders on Lewis came together for a memorial service for those killed in the Iolaire tragedy.
In 1919, more than 200 people drowned just yards from the shoreline after the vessel hit rocks as it approached Stornoway and sank. The event was led by Prince Charles and First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Services were also held across the island to remember the centenary, including the one Joan was travelling to.
For the past 20 years, Joan worked as a tour guide and two summers ago, coordinated more than 500 tours with 30 local guides. She had a leading role in the Western Isles Tour Guide Association and helped create a professional guiding service for the cruise ship market.
Joan previously worked as a development officer and had been involved in Comunn Eachdraidh Nis Historical Society.
Police have spoken to witnesses but are still keen to hear from anyone who saw Joan or the black Dacia Logan involved prior to the collision on the A857 at Swainbost.
Sergeant Christopher Murray said: “I would urge anyone who saw either the vehicle prior to the collision, a pedestrian walking in the area or the collision to come forward.”