Beinn Edra air crew plaque erected
A PLAQUE marking the tragic loss of nine men in a Staffin air disaster during the Second World War has been erected on the district’s main war memorial.
The B-17 Flying Fortress from America crashed in fog at Beinn Edra, the highest peak on the Trotternish Ridge, in March 1945.
The Staffin community held a commemoration in March marking 70 years since the tragedy, with the crew’s names now added to the Staffin War Memorial, by the Kilmartin River.
Ninety people attended the event and viewed the granite plaque which was expertly inscribed and fitted to the memorial by master craftsman Jon Hearach. As we all know the weather has not been great the last couple of months, hence the delay.
The granite plaque is in keeping with the character of the memorial.
The plaque is on the side facing north towards Staffin Bay with the local men from the Boer War, WWI and II listed on the south and west sides. As you stand in front of the plaque, on your right shoulder you look over to Beinn Edra.
A page about the disaster and commemoration will be created on the Staffin Trust website at a later date.
The Staffin Trust and Staffin Community Council reiterate their thanks to a number of other people and organisations for contributing to the commemoration event and plaque: Jackie Gillies and staff at Columba 1400 Centre; Rev Rory MacLeod, Rev John Murray, Lachie Gillies, John Angus MacDonald, Eoghainn Beaton, Anna Nicolson, Kim Marti, Pastor Charles Jeanblanc, Jennifer Shanks, Sine Gillespie, Ian MacDonald, Digg; Donald MacDonald, Sleat; Syvia Porter, John MacLaren, Lindesay Wood, Portree; John Philip, David Hudson, Billy Harley, Robin Pope and Mark Crowe at Highland Council, Alister Mackinnon, Jon Hearach Memorials, Allan MacLeod, Mickey MacLeod, Dugie Ross, Dr Terence Christian, Dr Amanda Charland and Dr Tom Horne.
More information about the disaster and commemoration can be read here http://staffin-trust.co.uk/mystery-solved-eda-was-wife-of-beinn-edra-victim