Grant for historic church rescue

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A project to save an ancient church is to received a £25,000 grant from Western Isles Council.

The cash will help combat the long-term conservation of the old St Columbas Church in Aginish, Point which is at risk at falling into the sea.

Emergency works and building sea defences some years ago aimed to try halt the waves eroding the ground under the ruins but the pounding of past winter storms means additional protection works are required.

Major renovations of the church’s stonework are complete and the building which was closed for years is now open to the public.

The council’s financial contribution will help pay for part of a £65,000 round of consolidation and stabilisation work.

The ancient church - also called Eaglais Na h-Aoidhe or Ui Church - was dedicated to Celtic saint St Columba and is one of the most important mediaeval buildings in Lewis.

As one of the best preserved pre-Reformation churches in Lewis, it is of prime historical, archaeological and cultural significance and the site includes historic inscribed grave slabs.

Nineteen Clan Macleod chiefs are buried in the surrounding cemetery. So to was William Mackenzie, the 5th Earl of Seaforth, but it is believed his grave was lost by the eroding sea.

The council is awarding the grant from its allocation of landfill tax collected from rubbish dump site operators.

Grant for historic church rescue 14/10/14