The storyteller is Duncan Macleod , the eldest of 5 children, with four brothers and a sister . He was brought up in Point, in the village of Garrabost. His mother Annie had little English and mainly conversed in Gaelic.

He was a crofter and an expert historian,  with detailed knowledge of the genealogy and history of the district. 

Kindly loaned to the Hulabhaig Collection by the artist.

John Alexander Macaskill (Jack)

Born 7th March 1899. Age 19.

75 Keith Street. Signalman RNVR.

Service number Z/8453. LWM 1/LWM 9

Born in Liverpool to Hugh and Chrissie "Teens" Macaskill (née Maclean), Jack Macaskill was their only son and had just one sister, Maggie 'Teens'. Jack was well known in the town as a junior clerk in the Harbour Office, from soon after war broke out. He was a member of the Stornoway Boys' Naval Brigade and volunteered his services as soon as he reached an age to enlist. His signalling skills were quickly spotted and he was engaged by the RNVR to serve from 1st April 1917 until the cessation of hostilities. He served at HMS Victory VI, HMS Victory / and HMS Vivid Ill and saw plenty of action, including being torpedoed twice. He left HMS Vivid at Devonport to rejoin his family in Stornoway but was never to see them again. His body was not recovered until late February 1919 and he was then interred at Old Sandwick Cemetery (WG). A memorial tablet to his memory is in St Peter's Church, Stornoway.

Source: The Darkest Dawn, Malcolm Macdonald and Donald John Macleod
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On New Years eve 1918, sailors who had survived the carnage of WW1 gathered in Kyle of Lochalsh, desperate to return to their loving families. Many went aboard the yacht 'Iolaire', others boarded the 'Sheila'

During the passage of the Iolaire from Kyle to Stornoway the yacht took the wrong course. At 1.55am, within a mile of the harbour and with the lights of home visible, she grounded on infamous rocks called the Beasts of Holm. 201 were lost; 79 survived of whom half came ashore on a rope taken from the ship to shore by hero of the night, John Finlay Macleod. 

On 1st January, islanders found the bodies of  men lying on the shore amongst scattered toys and presents they were bringing home to their loved ones. Many of the men's bodies were never recovered. 

The impact of the disaster was felt throughout the islands. Its effect was profound on the islands. It was little talked about afterwards through trauma and deep grief and is not well known outside the Hebrides. 

Margaret's own family was affected, with the loss of a great uncle, Alasdair Mackenzie, 'Am Boican'.

Mass emigration followed, with many islanders never to return home. 

Following her experience with "Dol Fodha na Greine" Margaret decided in 2015 to commemorate the sailors who were lost in the 1919 Iolaire disaster. 100 portraits in oils to commemorate the centenary have been completed. The exhibition at An Lanntair arts centre Stornoway ran from 29/12/18 to 2/3/2019. 

A selection of paintings was also shown in the Scottish parliament in March 2019 at an event hosted by Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP.

Kindly loaned to the Hulabhaig Collection by the artist.

Donald Macphail (Dòmhnall Beag)

Born 5th December 1874. Age 44.

11 Borrowston. Seaman RNR.

Service number 222Z/D. LWM 1/LWM 10

The son of Donald and Marion Macphail (née Macleod), Donald was married to Mary, [née Mackay) and they had five children. Naval records give his birth date as January 1874. Donald had enrolled in the RNR on 29th March 1899 and had nearly 20 years service. He reported to HMS Pembroke from Peterhead via Stornoway, on 14th August 1914, and eight months later joined the aircraft carrier HMS Campania, staying with her until she was sunk in a collision on 6th November 1918. Donald left the Chatham barracks at HMS Pembroke for his first New Year of peacetime and never reached his home.

He was interred at Dalmore Cemetery (WG].

Source: The Darkest Dawn, Malcolm Macdonald and Donald John Macleod
—————

On New Years eve 1918, sailors who had survived the carnage of WW1 gathered in Kyle of Lochalsh, desperate to return to their loving families. Many went aboard the yacht 'Iolaire', others boarded the 'Sheila'

During the passage of the Iolaire from Kyle to Stornoway the yacht took the wrong course. At 1.55am, within a mile of the harbour and with the lights of home visible, she grounded on infamous rocks called the Beasts of Holm. 201 were lost; 79 survived of whom half came ashore on a rope taken from the ship to shore by hero of the night, John Finlay Macleod. 

On 1st January, islanders found the bodies of  men lying on the shore amongst scattered toys and presents they were bringing home to their loved ones. Many of the men's bodies were never recovered. 

The impact of the disaster was felt throughout the islands. Its effect was profound on the islands. It was little talked about afterwards through trauma and deep grief and is not well known outside the Hebrides. 

Margaret's own family was affected, with the loss of a great uncle, Alasdair Mackenzie, 'Am Boican'.

Mass emigration followed, with many islanders never to return home. 

Following her experience with "Dol Fodha na Greine" Margaret decided in 2015 to commemorate the sailors who were lost in the 1919 Iolaire disaster. 100 portraits in oils to commemorate the centenary have been completed. The exhibition at An Lanntair arts centre Stornoway ran from 29/12/18 to 2/3/2019. 

A selection of paintings was also shown in the Scottish parliament in March 2019 at an event hosted by Dr Alasdair Allan, MSP.