Latest news with #Iolaire
The National
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- The National
Musicians to hold tribute to victims of historic tragedy
More than a century after the shipwreck claimed the lives of 200 Lewis men, Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis and fiddler Duncan Chisholm (pictured) will pay them a moving tribute. The evening will be held during the Blas festival, the annual celebration of Gaelic culture. Fowlis (below) said: 'Working on creating a commemorative piece about the Iolaire tragedy has been the most profoundly moving project for both Duncan and me. 'Since the original commission of An Treas Suaile (The Third Wave) in 2018, ahead of the 100-year commemoration, we have continued to research the stories of the men who were on board the Iolaire, the ship which sank desperately close to Lewis shores in the early hours of January 1, 1919. This event will be an evening of conversation with music and song from our original production.' On December 31, 1918, the servicemen had arrived by rail at Kyle of Lochalsh, ready to board the ferry SS Sheila, owned by David MacBrayne Ltd. The HMY Iolaire (Gaelic for eagle) was then sent across the Minch to assist in taking the men home. In the early hours of New Year's Day 1919, the vessel ran aground on the Beasts of Holm, just 20 yards from the shore, less than a mile from Stornoway Harbour. More than 200 men lost their lives, with every village on the island losing loved ones. READ MORE: 'Absolutely crazy': Scottish jazz artist scores new film by Hollywood director The Isle of Lewis had already suffered greatly during the war with over 1000 men, of the 6712 who went to war, dying during the conflict. Calum Alex Macmillan, chief executive of Fèisean nan Gàidheal, said: 'More than a century later, the loss of the Iolaire remains one of Britain's worst maritime disasters. An Treas Suaile commemorates those who lost their lives and their families who were left behind. It is a privilege for Blas to host this special and moving musical work at this year's festival.' This year, Blas will host around 25 concerts and cèilidhs, with a strong focus on collaboration and partnerships with small arts organisations throughout the region. Since its modest beginnings with just three venues in Strontian, Clashmore, and Strathpeffer 21 years ago, Blas has delivered more than 1350 events featuring 5550 performers and welcoming an audience of more than 130,000. It has contributed at least £8.4 million to the local economy since it began. Other artists performing during the festival – from September 5 to September 13 at venues across the Highlands – include Dàimh, Lauren MacColl, Arthur Cormack, Ingrid Henderson, Ruairidh Gray, Flook, Norrie MacIver, Mischa Macpherson and Eabhal. An Treas Suaile will be performed in Kyle on September 8 and in Ullapool on September 9, as well as at the Nairn Book and Arts Festival on September 4
The Herald Scotland
24-06-2025
- The Herald Scotland
Major repairs project completed on 'beloved' Scottish island
The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) undertook a significant nine-month programme of work to reduce congestion and improve the experience of the tens of thousands of annual visitors when arriving and leaving the island. TSL Contractors Ltd, based nearby at Craignure, Isle of Mull, carried out the work on the landing jetty while an Environmental Clerk of Works monitored the environmental and wildlife impact, and a biosecurity and breeding bird protection plan was followed. READ MORE: To mitigate disruption to wildlife and the busiest time of the visitor season, the work was undertaken during the autumn, winter, and spring months. Difficult conditions over the winter meant that many scheduled working days were lost because crews could not access the island, or because extreme waves made the jetty unsafe to work on. This phase of infrastructure upgrades is part of a complex multi-year project that will also include work to replace the staircase to the upper island and puffin colony. All works are being undertaken with great care for nature, with special consideration for seabirds, NTS said. Clea Warner, Regional Director of the Highlands & Islands at NTS, said: 'Staffa draws visitors from around the world and is one of the country's most beloved islands. It is also an important site for cultural and natural heritage with its wildlife, geology, and dramatic scenery. 'As a conservation charity, we're proud to share this special place with people but it's our responsibility to both protect the island and its nature, as well as make visitors' experiences as enjoyable as possible. We have worked hard to minimise disruption during this project, and we thank members of the local community for their patience as this work progressed. The completed jetty (Image: NTS) 'This is a key project in the Trust's 10-year strategy to care for, share, and protect Scotland's nature, beauty, and heritage for everyone to enjoy, and we hope that our work on Staffa will ensure continued access to this important National Nature Reserve for many more decades.' The Staffa infrastructure project is supported by Argyll and Bute Council and VisitScotland through the Rural Tourism Infrastructure Fund, and by funds raised by players of People's Postcode Lottery and awarded by Postcode Earth Trust. Will Boyd-Wallis, Operations Manager for the North West Highlands at NTS, said: 'This was an extremely challenging and ambitious project. The jetty is intertidal, so much of the work could only be carried out at low tides and in good conditions. This meant that many working days were lost over the winter and we experienced significant delays. 'Thanks to the perseverance of the whole team, the newly improved jetty is now ready for use. It has been very well designed by Galmstrup Architects to sit alongside the stunning curved natural basalt columns around Clamshell Cave and there is now much more room for visitors getting on and off the boats. The Iolaire at the new Staffa Jetty (Image: Picture courtesy of Staffa Trips) "We'd like to thank Argyll and Bute Council, VisitScotland, and players of People's Postcode Lottery for the funding they have provided to support this project, and all the local boat operators for their assistance and cooperation during the jetty closure. This investment in such an important and iconic place will be of benefit not only for visitors to Staffa, but also for the local community, and tourism in the region for many years to come.' The Leader of Argyll and Bute Council, Jim Lynch, said: 'Staffa is a truly unique and beautiful island, well-known throughout the world for its cultural and geological significance. I am delighted that we have been able to help fund this vital preservation work to make it easier for more people to access this historical gem and protect it for future generations.' Staffa has been in the care of NTS since 1986. It's a world-famous National Nature Reserve, a Site of Special Scientific Interest and sits in the centre of the Loch na Keal, Isle of Mull National Scenic Area. The sea around Staffa is also a Marine Protected Area and Special Area of Conservation. The Staffa project supports the NTS's vision to care for, protect, and share Scotland's nature, beauty and heritage for everyone, as outlined in its 10-year strategy, launched in 2022.
The Age
17-06-2025
- The Age
No monsters, but this tourist-free loch is the one you should visit
Suddenly, there's a splash in the loch, sparking turned heads and heightened anticipation. It could be a trout, a salmon or something else entirely. 'Do you know about the kelpies?' asks Eddie, the skipper of our boat. 'They're shape-shifting spirits who live in the waters of Scotland. They often appear as beautiful men or women who tempt you to the water's edge. But they're quite malevolent. If you touch a kelpie, it will drag you in and eat you.' As a fellow passenger whispers that this is what Scottish parents traditionally told their children to steer them away from perilous waters, I gaze over this now unrippled Highland beauty spot, the autumnal foliage blazing above. While Loch Ness hogs the limelight and attracts coach-loads of tourists hoping to see another mythological creature, 'Nessie', Scotland has about 30,000 other lochs. And it's Loch Tay that keeps pulling me back (but thankfully not under). Slithering through Perthshire and Stirlingshire, it has seduced everyone from royals to pop stars and while it's day-trippable from Edinburgh or Glasgow, its inky waters, wooded banks and hillsides are peppered with appetising digs, drinks, dishes and activities. For the best daylight, temperatures and colours, come between April and November. Get your bearings of this, Scotland's sixth-largest loch, on a hire canoe or kayak, or take a 'loch safari' with Eddie on Iolaire, a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) named after the Scottish Gaelic word for eagle. If you're lucky, you'll spot the golden variety of that bird, but buzzards, ospreys, cormorants and herons are more likely. Wildlife including red deer – Britain's largest native land mammal – stalks the peaks and moors above the loch. Seek them out on 4x4 'Highland safaris' led by kilted guides, who'll offer you tea, locally made shortbread and whisky at a mountain bothy (refuge). With your own wheels, you could drive a scenic circuit around Loch Tay, 23 kilometres long and fed by the white waters of rivers like the Dochart, which tumbles through the village of Killin. Soak up the view here with a drink and smoked salmon at The Falls of Dochart coaching inn and smokehouse.
Sydney Morning Herald
17-06-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
No monsters, but this tourist-free loch is the one you should visit
Suddenly, there's a splash in the loch, sparking turned heads and heightened anticipation. It could be a trout, a salmon or something else entirely. 'Do you know about the kelpies?' asks Eddie, the skipper of our boat. 'They're shape-shifting spirits who live in the waters of Scotland. They often appear as beautiful men or women who tempt you to the water's edge. But they're quite malevolent. If you touch a kelpie, it will drag you in and eat you.' As a fellow passenger whispers that this is what Scottish parents traditionally told their children to steer them away from perilous waters, I gaze over this now unrippled Highland beauty spot, the autumnal foliage blazing above. While Loch Ness hogs the limelight and attracts coach-loads of tourists hoping to see another mythological creature, 'Nessie', Scotland has about 30,000 other lochs. And it's Loch Tay that keeps pulling me back (but thankfully not under). Slithering through Perthshire and Stirlingshire, it has seduced everyone from royals to pop stars and while it's day-trippable from Edinburgh or Glasgow, its inky waters, wooded banks and hillsides are peppered with appetising digs, drinks, dishes and activities. For the best daylight, temperatures and colours, come between April and November. Get your bearings of this, Scotland's sixth-largest loch, on a hire canoe or kayak, or take a 'loch safari' with Eddie on Iolaire, a RIB (Rigid Inflatable Boat) named after the Scottish Gaelic word for eagle. If you're lucky, you'll spot the golden variety of that bird, but buzzards, ospreys, cormorants and herons are more likely. Wildlife including red deer – Britain's largest native land mammal – stalks the peaks and moors above the loch. Seek them out on 4x4 'Highland safaris' led by kilted guides, who'll offer you tea, locally made shortbread and whisky at a mountain bothy (refuge). With your own wheels, you could drive a scenic circuit around Loch Tay, 23 kilometres long and fed by the white waters of rivers like the Dochart, which tumbles through the village of Killin. Soak up the view here with a drink and smoked salmon at The Falls of Dochart coaching inn and smokehouse.
