Nicola Sturgeon Lews Castle

Also attending are representatives from the main funders including the British Museum, National Museums Scotland, Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland, Historic Environment Scotland, HIE and Bòrd na Gàidhlig.

Funding issues with the castle works also held up plans to allow the public into the new museum and restored ground floors of the castle until last summer.

Now, a highly acclaimed venue, the Lews Castle provides important jobs and a major visitor attraction through its modern museum, heritage centre and plush hotel.

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

Nearly one third of the material on display is on long-term loan from National Museums Scotland, ranging from spectacular Viking hacksilver hoards to a vintage 1923 Morgan three-wheeler car which was driven on the islands until the 1950s.

Nicola Sturgeon to officially open Lews Castle

2 February 2017

Nicola Sturgeon is to officially open the £19 million Lews Castle museum and hotel in Stornoway.

The First Minister undertake the honours at the grand opening of Western Isles Council’s flagship project on Monday March 6.

During a tour the rescued castle Ms Sturgeon will view a display of six world-famous Uig Chessmen pieces which have returned to the island of their discovery.