96 years ago tonight - 23:59

The year 1918 is drawing to a close and Big Ben in London is about to start striking the midnight hour. Six hundred miles to the north, HMY Iolaire is ploughing her way north through the Minch, passing between Raasay, Rona and the Scottish mainland. The weather, which had been reasonable upon departure from Kyle, is turning increasingly windy. A heavy swell is beginning to rise in response to the strong southerly wind. The lighthouses, which serve as reference points for mariners in the Minch, blink their messages to Iolaire. Milaid, on the rocky cliffs near Kebock Head; Rona; Tiumpan Head on the eastern extremity of the Point Peninsula; and Arnish, near the entrance to Stornoway Harbour.

In dozens of houses in Lewis, glasses are charged to the New Year. The last year of war is ending. Dry clothes are draped over beds, a stew is heating over the fire. In the blackhouses in Ness, and the town houses of Stornoway. A kettle is at the ready on the stove. A plate, cutlery and cups on the table. From Eoropie to Brenish, from Lemreway to North Tolsta, and between Manor Park and Newton, the same scene is repeated over and over. Only two hours to go, the boat won't make Hogmanay. But it does not really matter, the boys will be home soon.

The clock strikes midnight. It is 1919.

To be continued

96 years ago tonight

It is Hogmanay 1918, and the war has been over for seven weeks. Survivors from the Western Front and the war at sea are flocking home. As are hundreds of sailors from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Three trains pull into the harbourside station at Kyle of Lochalsh, and hundreds pour onto the platform and adjoining quayside to join a ferry home. The Skye men can take the short hop to Kyleakin, or join the steamer north to Portree. The sailors and soldiers from the Outer Hebrides have a longer journey ahead of them.

The mailsteamer for Stornoway, the Sheila is alongside at Kyle, but it very rapidly becomes clear that she has nowhere near enough space to accommodate the hundreds that want to go home to Lewis and Harris. So, a cable is sent to the naval base at Stornoway, and Rear Admiral Boyle sends HMY Iolaire to Kyle to relieve the congestion. Iolaire, the former private steamyacht Amalthea arrives in the early evening, bumping into the pier as she docks.

A disorganised scramble occurs, where the throng of men divides between the Sheila and the Iolaire. No record is kept as to who goes on board which vessel. Some start off by boarding the Iolaire, then switch to the Sheila. Others do the reverse swap. Finally, at half past seven, Iolaire casts off and heads north. The Sheila follows suit in short order.

1 May 1917

On this day, four sailors from Barra, Eriskay and Vatersay were lost in the sinking of SS Bagdale. The steamer was heading from the Clyde to Naples, when she was sunk by U-boat UC-66 off Ushant, Brittany, France, with the loss of 23 lives. UC-66 was lost about six weeks after the sinking of the Bagdale, on 12 June 1917. The story is that she was forced to dive and when she was depth-charged by HMT Sea King, her own mines blew up. Like in the sinking of the Bagdale, 23 lives were lost with UC-66, among them her captain, Herbert Pustkuchen.

Sailor John Macdonald
At the age of 17
Iain Néill Ghréitheir
Son of Neil MacDonald, of No. 14, Cleat, Barra, Oban, Scotland. Born at Barra.
Last known address in Barra: Cleat
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: Barra & Vatersay

Sailor John Macdougall
At the age of 20
Son of Effie McDougall (nee McInnes), of Coilleac, Eriskay, South Uist, Inverness, and the late Donard McDougall.
Last known address in Eriskay: Eriskay
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: South Uist

Able Seaman Donald Macneil
At the age of 23
Dòmhnull Iagainn Dhòmhnuill
Son of Angus and Ann McNeil, of The Square, Watersay, Barra, Oban, Scotland.
Last known address in Vatersay:
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: Barra & Vatersay

Able Seaman Neil Macneil
At the age of 24
Son of D. McNeil, of The Square, Watersay, Barra, Inverness. Born at Barra.
Last known address in Vatersay:
Service unit: Merchant Navy, SS Bagdale
Memorial: Tower Hill Memorial
Local memorial: Barra & Vatersay