Book on Iolaire tragedy hailed by prince

The Duke of Rothesay has recognised the “indescribable grief” suffered by islanders in the Outer Hebrides as the centenary of the greatest loss of life in British waters in peacetime approaches.

The prince, who is Lord of the Isles, has written a foreword to a seminal book – the result of more than 20 years’ work – that marks the Iolaire tragedy.

It was just before 2am on the first day of 1919 that a ship carrying more than 250 islanders home from wartime service struck a reef barely 20 yards from shore on the approach to Stornoway Harbour on Lewis, with more than 201 men lost.

The book, The Darkest Dawn, will go on sale on Thursday.

The prince said it is “a deeply poignant tribute to all those who tragically lost their lives”.

Co-author Malcolm Macdonald, whose grandfather perished on board the Iolaire, said he hopes the book will serve as a reminder and provide a fresh perspective on the disaster.

Co-author Donald John Macleod from the Bridge of Don died this year.