Mystery of Cromwellian fort believed to be solved

The remains of what is believed to be a “lost” 366-year-old fort have been unearthed in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.

Archaeologists are investigating whether the structure behind Amity House on Esplanade Quay is the foundation of a Cromwellian tower built in 1653.

Its construction follows a battle the previous year in which islanders, organised by the Mackenzie landlords, launched an all-out attack on the garrison.

At the time of the battle, the central town area along present-day Point Street was protected by two large trenches.

The Cromwell fort was a substantial square building with thick walls to absorb artillery fire.

It is thought to have been three storeys high.

According to a previous report by Dr Mary Macleod for the Stornoway Historical Society the fort was probably demolished when the troops left after the restoration of Charles II.

“It seems very likely that the stone of the fort went into many of the buildings which were thereafter constructed along North and South Beaches,” says her study.

“Surprisingly the walls of the fort were not found during the work on the Lewis Hotel site, though demolition rubble was. This supports the idea that it may have been deliberately demolished by the soldiers as they left or rapidly dismantled for building stone.”

A detailed report from the team from the AOC Archaeology Group involved in the dig is expected later.

Malcolm Macdonald, chairman of Stornoway Historical Society, said after inspecting the works: “This is a very exciting find.

“We have known there was a Cromwellian fort in the area but not where. Now we do. It had been a mystery that now appears solved.

“It was clearly substantial and able to withstand cannon fire etc,” he said.

The building is also thought to be the oldest surviving man-made structure in Stornoway.

Cromwell’s forces built a fort in Stornoway, and one of the town’s streets is called Cromwell Street after him