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Plans to build an Iolaire visitor centre will be revealed at an consultation event in Stornoway Town Hall on 27 February.

 

The facility aims to commemorated the tragic sinking of the HMY Iolaire in 1919 at the entrance of Stornoway harbour with the loss of 201 lives.

 

Only 79 people made it ashore alive in what is Britain's worst peacetime maritime disaster.

 

The vast majority of the dead came from Lewis. Seven belonged to Harris while 31 were crew members from different parts of the UK.

 

The proposed building would include an exhibition area and a high-end destination restaurant.

 

It is anticipated that a project plan will be completed by December 2018 with a view to works beginning in 2020.

 

Businessman Stewart Graham is leading on proposals to building an ambitious visitor centre on Stornoway’s Number One pier.

 

The events give islanders the chance to provide feedback on the idea.

 

There will also be an event for local businesses the same evening.

 

Representatives of the Iolaire Working Group - which os planning commemorative events fr the centenary of the tragedy - will be present at the events to provide information.

 

Stewart Graham said: “I hope local people and the business community will take the opportunity to come along and find out more about this important project which, 100 years after this most terrible tragedy, will provide a lasting legacy to the memory of the men who lost their lives.

 

“Not only would this be a lasting testament, the centre will provide a major, transformational, economic boost for the islands.”

  

Iolaire Centre open day

19 February 2018