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The Portree war memorial column stands on a paved square before the 'Antlers' pub.
Isle of Skye

Somerled Square War Memorial

Portree's war memorial, a small copy of Edinburgh's Mercat Cross topped by a seated lion, unveiled in 1922.

Welcome

In the middle of Somerled Square, the busy heart of Portree, stands the town's war memorial: a slender granite column on a six-sided stone base, with a small seated lion on top.

It is modelled on the Mercat Cross in Edinburgh, and it went up just a few years after the First World War, when its losses were still raw in every township around.

Walk round the base, where grey granite panels set into the stone carry the words of commemoration and the names of the dead, soldiers and sailors from the town and the country around it. Most days the square around it is full of cars, buses and people heading for the shops, but the memorial asks for a minute of quiet all the same, and it is a good place to stop and take the town in before walking down to the harbour.

Before you go

The memorial stands in the middle of Somerled Square, the heart of Portree, open to all at any time.

Where
Somerled Square, Portree, IV51 9EH.
Protected
A Category B listed building.

Did you know

A carved lion sits atop a stone war memorial column against a pale sky.
Did you know

Built by a father.

The memorial was made by Thomas MacFarlane, whose only son, John, was the youngest person from Portree to die in the First World War.

A stone war memorial column topped with a lion tops a plinth on a town square.
Did you know

Unveiled in February 1922.

Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Lachlan MacDonald of Tote unveiled it on 16 February 1922, and the minister of Portree read the prayer of dedication.

A stone war memorial panel lists 'Portree' servicemen's names by rank and regiment.
Did you know

Four townships named.

The First World War names are grouped by home: Portree, Braes, Sconser and South Snizort. There are 103 of them, and later panels add the dead of the Second World War and Korea.

A war memorial plinth reads 'To the glory of God, 1914-1919' with a carved wreath above.
Did you know

A line in Gaelic.

Among the English words on the memorial is a line in Gaelic: Mairidh an cliù gu bràth.

The Portree war memorial column stands on a paved square before the 'Antlers' pub.
Did you know

Mended for the centenary.

The memorial was repaired and conserved with help from the Centenary Memorials Restoration Fund, and is in good condition again.

The Portree war memorial column stands on a paved square before the 'Antlers' pub.
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Where it is

In the centre of Somerled Square, Portree.

Close byThe places nearest the square, in Portree.
  1. Barista pours milk into a latte at a wooden counterAntlers Bar & GrillPub food, from salads to seafood, at the Portree Hotel.Under a mile 1 min by road
  2. PortreePortreeSkye's main town, its painted houses set round the harbour Thomas Telford built.Under a mile 1 min by road
  3. ÒR Shop SkyeÒR Shop SkyeTwo Portree shops of contemporary art and craft from independent makers.Under a mile 1 min by road
  4. The Donnie Munro mural in PortreeThe Donnie Munro mural in PortreeMurals of island scenery by Runrig's original frontman, first unveiled in 2021.Under a mile 2 min by road
  5. BirchBirchA speciality coffee roastery and café in the middle of Portree, opened in 2020.Under a mile 2 min by road
  6. The LumpThe LumpAn easy hilltop above Portree Harbour, with fine views, walking trails and an old watchtower.Under a mile 2 min by road
  7. Wood burner between exposed stone walls in a pub with a bar and menus on tablesDulse and BroseModern Scottish cooking above Portree's harbour.Under a mile 1 min by road
  8. Scorrybreac CircuitScorrybreac CircuitA 3-kilometre loop round the headland on the north side of Portree Bay.Under a mile 3 min by road
Directions
Isle of Skye Distillers shopfront with Misty Isle gin sign and "We Are Open" boardShoppingThe Isle of Skye Distillers0.3 miles
Bedside lamp lit above a round table with tissue box, orange cushion on white pillowsPortreeThe BosvillePlace to stay · 0.3 miles
MV Seaflower, a white forty-foot catamaran, lying at anchor on flat water in low evening sun.AttractionsSeaFlower Skye0.3 miles
Twin beds with mustard cushions and throws beside a large windowPortreeMarmalade HotelSleeps 3 · 0.3 miles
Chocolate brownies from the bakery.CafeIsle of Skye Baking Company0.6 miles
Colourful houses line Portree harbour beneath misty, tree-covered hillside, with boats moored offshorePortreeCuillin Hills HotelSleeps 2 · 0.8 miles
A window table looking out over Portree.RestaurantsScorrybreac Restaurant0.8 miles
Wooden bar stools face shelves stacked with whisky bottles and hanging glass pendant lightsBarsThe Bar at Scorrybreac0.8 miles
A window table looking out over Portree Bay.RestaurantsThe View Restaurant0.9 miles
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Stay nearby

Places to stay near the square, and when each is next free.

Bedside lamp lit above a round table with tissue box, orange cushion on white pillowsThe Bosville
  • A hotel
  • In Portree
  • Under a mile from Somerled Square
Check datesTwin beds with mustard cushions and throws beside a large windowMarmalade Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Portree
  • Under a mile from Somerled Square
Check datesColourful houses line Portree harbour beneath misty, tree-covered hillside, with boats moored offshoreCuillin Hills Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Portree
  • Under a mile from Somerled Square
Check datesAttic bedroom with white panelled walls, double bed and framed floral printThe Crofter's House
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Camustianavaig
  • 3 miles from Somerled Square
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay on SkyeAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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