Ravenspoint centre

Public viewing for new Ravenspoint revamp 5/7/11

The new extension at Ravenspoint, Kershader, South Lochs, is being formally opened this evening. The public is being invited to come along to view the new facilities and free refreshments will be available.

The new Ravenspoint has an attractive 30-seat cafe with wonderful views over Loch Erisort. Specialities on the menu will include freshly-ground coffee, local fish and other food, and traditional dishes.

It also hosts an expanded community shop – the only one in the whole of Pairc – with a wider range of food products, local craft goods, and books and music about the history and culture of Lewis.

Within the premises are visitor attractions highlighting the area’s superb landscape and wildlife, and its rich human heritage and Gaelic culture. These include the local history museum, Angus Macleod Archive, Derek Cooper Collection, Patagonia Archive, and an exhibition featuring the great Gaelic singer Calum Kennedy, who was born in Orinsay.

A backpackers 14-bed hostel has a family room, kitchen and sitting room, washing and drying facilities, and bicycles for hire. There are also boat trips for sea angling, wildlife watching, and visits to places of local historical interest.

The facility has two small wind turbines to produce green energy and reduce fuel bills.

Chairman of Co-Chomunn na Pairc (the Pairc Community Co-operative), John Randall, said: “This will be an exciting day for the whole community of Pairc. We would like to thank everyone who has made the new extension possible, in particular all our funders, staff, volunteers, and customers.

“Our aim is to safeguard and improve the services available at Ravenspoint, and to be a show-case for the many attractions in South Lochs. This could not have been achieved without the support of everyone in the community.”

Following the official opening, there will be a presentation and discussion at Ravenspoint about rural transport technologies led by Dr David Corsar of Aberdeen University under the University’s CafeConnect programme, the only such event to be held in Lewis this year.

This will start at 7pm and is also open to everyone to attend free of charge. It is hoped that the new Ravenspoint will be used for other meetings and events of this kind in the future.