The Iolaire Memorial stands near the rocks where one of Scotland's worst peacetime maritime disasters happened. In the early hours of New Year's Day 1919, HMY Iolaire sank just outside Stornoway harbour while bringing home Lewis servicemen from the war. The ship was within sight of shore; 201 men died.
The memorial is stark and moving, especially if you have spent time in the villages the dead came from. It is east of town near Holm, reachable by car or by a long walk from the centre.