Welcome back to “This Day in Scottish History.” I’m your host, Colin MacDonald, and today we revisit a tragic event that shook the island communities of Scotland. On December 18th, 1863, a devastating storm, later remembered as “The Day of the Great Drowning,” claimed the lives of 31 men—the entire crews of five fishing boats from Ness, a community on the northern tip of the Isle of Lewis.

The sea has always been both a provider and a punisher in the rugged and remote Hebrides. Fishing was—and remains—a vital part of life on Lewis. The men of Ness were skilled seafarers, braving the Atlantic Ocean daily to feed their families and sustain their communities. Yet the unpredictable power of the sea, especially in winter, has long loomed as a constant threat. On this fateful December day, that threat materialized with devastating consequences.

The fishermen set out as they did on many other days, launching their open decked fishing boats, locally known as sgoths, into the unforgiving waters of the Minch, the stretch of sea between the Outer Hebrides and the Scottish mainland. Winter fishing in the North Atlantic was perilous, but the men of Ness were no strangers to harsh conditions. Little did they know that this day would bring one of the fiercest storms their community had ever seen.

Eyewitness accounts describe how the weather turned suddenly and ferociously. Gale-force winds swept across the Minch, whipping up towering waves. The storm was unrelenting, battering the small wooden boats and offering the men no chance of escape. Some of the boats were believed to have been capsized by the violent waves, while others may have been swamped and sunk outright. None of the 31 fishermen made it back home.

For the small, tight-knit community of Ness, the loss was catastrophic. At the time, Ness was a collection of small villages where everyone was connected—by blood, by friendship, or by shared labor. 31 men from five boats were gone in a single day, leaving behind grieving families, widowed wives, and orphaned children. In a community where every able-bodied man was crucial to survival, the impact was not just emotional but also economic.

To put this into perspective, in the mid-19th century, life on Lewis was already incredibly harsh. The people of Ness lived off fishing, crofting, and subsistence farming, their lives shaped by the unforgiving environment of the Hebrides. Losing so many men in one blow plunged families into hardship, and the tragedy rippled through the community for generations.

The event was so profound that it was remembered as “Là na Mora Mòire”—Gaelic for “The Day of the Great Drowning”. In a culture that preserved its history through song and storytelling, the sorrow of this day became woven into the collective memory of the Isle of Lewis.

The Day of the Great Drowning serves as a stark reminder of the dangers faced by those who earn their livelihoods from the sea. While modern fishing has advanced significantly with larger vessels, navigational aids, and weather forecasting, the North Atlantic remains as unpredictable as ever.

Today, the tragedy is still commemorated on Lewis, particularly in Ness, where descendants of the lost fishermen continue to live. Memorials and stories honor the men who set out that day in 1863 and never returned. Their courage and sacrifice are remembered as part of the island’s heritage—symbols of a community’s deep and enduring connection to the sea.

What is perhaps most striking about this story is the resilience of the people of Ness. Despite the devastation of “The Day of the Great Drowning,” life continued. Families grieved, rebuilt, and carried on, as they always had, enduring in a landscape where survival demanded strength, unity, and faith.

As we reflect on the events of December 18th, 1863, let us remember those 31 men and their families. Their story is not just one of loss but also of a people’s unyielding spirit—a spirit forged on the shores of one of Scotland’s most rugged and beautiful places.

Thank you for joining me on this poignant journey through history. Please tune in tomorrow for another episode of “This Day in Scottish History.” Until then, I’m Colin MacDonald, and as we say here in Scotland, Haste Ye Back.

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