Lews Castle museum opening

Lewis Chessmen arrive for Lews Castle museum grand opening

26 June 2016

Six of the world-famous Uig Chessmen are returning to the island of their discovery when the new Lews Castle museum opens in three weeks.

The modern new-built museum in Stornoway - part of the Lews Castle restoration project - will fully open on Thursday 14 July.

The huge attraction of the chessmen display is predicted to be a major crowd puller from this summer, providing a tourism boost with visitor numbers estimated to reach 50,000 a year.

Overall, it is costing £19 million project to restore the crumbling Lews Castle into a plush hotel and museum.

Half a dozen pieces from the Viking treasure hoard will take centre stage in the museum galleries as part of a “permanent” long-term loan deal between Western Isles Council and the British Museum.

Making a return to the Hebrides are expected to be a King, Queen, bishop, knight, warder and pawn.

Special security measures to protect the valuable 12th century chessmen pieces caused new delays to the opening.

Hidden on the Uig machair on the west coast of Lewis for centuries, the walrus ivory chessmen were discovered amongst stone bothies in a small glen by the stunning sandy beach at Ardroil by crofter Calum Macleod of nearby Pennydonald.

They are believed to have been made in Norway, during the Viking period and imported via ship on one of the Norse’ expeditions to the Hebrides.

As the largest and best group of early chessmen to survive, they are one of the most significant archaeological discoveries ever made in Scotland and are of major international importance.

► Photos of the revamped Lews Castle

► Inside the new Lews Castle museum

British Museum