A memorial to mark the First World War Iolaire disaster on Lewis is to be made more accessible to the public following the construction of a brand new path.
The new walkway will be accessible to wheelchair users, as it will meet the criteria of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA), and will be completely tarred and fenced off.
It will lead up to the historic landmark at Holm, on the Isle of Lewis, which was erected in 1958.
The work, being carried out by the Breedon Group, is part of a £170,000 project and is expected to take around eight weeks to complete.
The project has also included the purchase of additional commemorative structure earlier this year to mark the centenary anniversary next year.
Norman A. Macdonald, chairman of the Iolaire Working Group, said: “The works to the path are part of the ongoing planning for the 100th commemoration of the Iolaire tragedy and will make the Iolaire Memorial more accessible for members of the public.
“We are very pleased to have reached this stage and look forward to the seeing the path works complete later in the summer.”
The Iolaire was the biggest tragedy to occur in the Western Isles, killing around 200 sailors on its return to Stornoway Harbour.
The vessel, carrying sailors who had fought in the First World War, was making the perilious journey from Kyle of Lochalsh to Stornoway Harbour in the Outer Hebrides on December 31, 1919 when it sank.
At around 2.30am, the lolaire collided with the Beast of Holm rocks and perished, leaving only 82 survivors of the 283 on board.
