Colin McLean

By ColinMcLean

The Face

I flew to Stornoway today for a series of meetings about proposals to redevelop Lews Castle - an A-Listed Victorian pile, complete with gargoyles, that has sat empty for a number of years but which may have a future as a hotel and a new principle museum for the Western Isles.

Built in 1848 for trader Sir James Matheson, and designed by Glasgow architect Charles Wilson, it sits in a commanding position overlooking the town. Lord Leverhulme bought the castle - and the island of Lewis - in 1968, then gifted the castle and its grounds to the town. It has seen various incarnations since then, latterly as a college.

Stornoway Historical Society has published an online history of the castle.

Comments
Sign in or get an account to comment.