On New Year’s Day 1919, the HMY Iolaire sank near the Isle of Lewis, claiming the lives of 201 returning Scottish servicemen. Only 79 survived, leaving families devastated as they perished in sight of shore. This tragedy, one of the worst peacetime maritime disasters in the UK, deeply impacted local communities.
During 1846, Samuel Lewis published his topographical dictionary of Scotland. This included some extensive and accurate descriptions of Blantyre’s hamlets, which included insights into population and employment. For 1846, in years immediately preceeding coal being mined, this provides a wonderful account of how life was in Blantyre before that remarkable explosion growth. The account is […]