Treasured island castle saved for future after £3m repairs

STATE OF REPAIR: HOLY ISLAND has a recorded history stretching back to the sixth century.

It has seen Viking invasions and Norman conquests and it boasts a castle dating back to the 16th century. Now a £3m investment has been made to help preserve the historic site for future generations. The repairs to the castle – which was said to be leaking – should last for a century, bosses said.

Lindisfarne Castle was built in 1550 on Holy Island, Northumberland, and is owned by the National Trust.

The castle has been closed for the past 18 months and supported by scaffolding while experts repaired leaks and restored stonework.

Now the work is complete, steward

Nick Lewis said the castle should not need more work for 100 years.

Centuries of exposure to the elements on a high crag had taken its toll on the castle’s walls and windows, Mr Lewis said. The castle was built as a defence against a possible Scottish invasion.

Mr Lewis said: “We’ve spent a lot of money – more than we’ve ever spent before. It’s probably a once in a century job.”

He said the castle still needed a couple of coats of paint inside, but was open again to the public.

The island is within an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Northumberland Coast.

Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island, Northumberland, is open to the public again after an 18-month programme of repairs which should leave it in good shape for the next 100 years.