War Memorial, Memorial Avenue, Stornoway, Lewis

Erected circa 1920, tall castellated tower, built on Cnoc nan Uan as a memorial to those lost in the First World War. The monument is related in concept to that at Dingwall to "Eachann nan Cath" (Field Marshall Hector MacDonald) designed by James Sandford Kay and dated 1907. (The 1859-69 National Wallace monument at Stirling by the Glasgow architect J T Rochead seems to be the prototype of this class of structure). Rubble-built, square-plan, with internal staircase, castellated parapet with cap-house. The Islesmen gave a disproportionately great contribution to the First World War, suffering enormous losses particularly (among the military) at places like Gallipolli and at the Somme. The sea-faring tradition led many into the navy, where losses were also high, while the tragic loss of the homecoming troops with the sinking of the "Iolair" on hogmanay 1918-1919 increased the losses even further (though it is said to be the parish of North Uist which lost the greatest number "per capita" in that war). So this monument also has considerable significance in terms of historic interest.