November 22 2011

The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced that it is to invest £4.6m toward a planned revitalisation of Lews castle at Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.

This will facilitate a Malcolm Fraser designed revamp of the historic castle – transforming it into a museum and archive for the Outer Hebrides.

Conceived as a gateway attraction for visitors to the archipelago it will house the collections of Museum nan Eilean and act as a centre for the preservation and promotion of Gaelic language and culture.

Lews Castle is currently on the buildings at risk register having fallen increasingly into disrepair in recent years. It was one of the first properties in Britain to boast central heating, electric lighting and internal telephones.

Colin McLean, Head of the Heritage Lottery Fund in Scotland, said:  “The innovative combination of providing a new-build museum combined with the restoration of the Castle as a high quality hotel is an example of partnership working on many levels, and is a new model that we may see more of in the future.”

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