Lews Castle garden restoration to start
Work is set to start next month on a major project to restore and regenerate the historic Lews Castle grounds in Stornoway.
A partnership involving the Stornoway Trust, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, the National Lottery and Historic Environment Scotland, will oversee investment of more than £5 million in the muchloved public park over the next few years.
Norman A Maciver, chairman of the Stornoway Trust and the joint project board with the comhairle, said: ‘It is great news that after so many years we are finally over the line and are now in a position to start the project to enhance the environs around the castle. I would like to congratulate all the officers who have managed to get this project off the ground.’
Building and civil works contracts with a total value of more than £3.6 million have been awarded to two island-based contractors by Comhairle nan Eilean Siar in partnership with the Stornoway Trust. Neil Mackay & Co will undertake comprehensive repairs to the Porters Lodge, the Category A-listed Boatman’s House and the adjacent Seawall. Other important features, including the castle’s bastion wall, steps and terrace path will also be repaired and restored to their original form.
Breedon Hebrides will undertake a range of civil works, including drainage works in the former private gardens and the Castle Green, extensive renovation of paths in the core area of the grounds and environmental improvements in key areas. The popular Woodlands Centre will benefit a new outdoor terrace and children’s play area.
The work is scheduled for completion by summer 2020.
Following completion of these works, an extensive programme of landscape planting and restoration will be undertaken by the Stornoway Trust under the direction of a head gardener – a new National Lotteryfunded post to be appointed as a key part of the project.