Memorial Unveiled for Victims of Borve Fishing Disasters
29 May 2026
by Donald Macdonald
A memorial stone and plaque were unveiled at Rubha Thanga, Melbost Borve, on Saturday 16 May, as residents gathered to remember fishermen lost in three nineteenth-century boat disasters. The ceremony, organised by Airidhantuim Community Council, marked tragedies that left a deep impression on the district in their aftermath.
The event was led by Roddy Martin, whose research into the three fishing disasters has helped bring renewed recognition to the nineteen men who died and to the families affected by the losses. He outlined the three incidents commemorated: the 1853 drowning of Eathar Aonghais Mhurachaidh, the 1865 loss of the Breadwinner, and the 1875 disaster of the Melancholy.
Once widely known in the area, the stories of the three disasters had faded from view over time. Research carried out by Roddy, with the support of Airidhantuim Community Council, has documented the lives, families and circumstances of those who were lost, while also highlighting the close links between Borve, Shader, Galson and neighbouring townships.
The memorial was officially unveiled by Donald Mackenzie of Borve, one of the district’s oldest residents. The stone was made from a door lintel recovered from the blackhouse home of one of the drowned men, giving the memorial a direct link to the community’s past.
The ceremony opened with a prayer in Gaelic from Iain MacSween of North Dell and concluded with a prayer in English from Murdo Nicholson of Borve.
At the close of the formal proceedings, Mr Martin thanked those who attended - many of whom had direct family connections to those lost - and acknowledged the support of Airidhantuim Community Council and the sub-group involved in bringing the memorial project to completion.
Further information on the three disasters is available on the newly launched Airidhantuim Community Archives website, which includes family histories, photographs and additional background.
The new memorial now stands at Rubha Thanga as a tribute to the men who lost their lives and to the families affected by the tragedies.