Isle of Lewis
Stornoway
Western Isles
Visit the Isle of Lewis to see Lews Castle . This castle is located on the west side of Stornoway Harbour and dates back to the 19th century, so it is a fairly new castle by Scottish standards. Sir James Matheson bought this island in 1844 and in 1923 he gave the castle as a gift to the people of Stornoway.
Lews Castle is used as an educational facility, so visitors are not able to tour the inside of the building. However, there are guided tours of the outside of the castle and of the castle grounds provided by the Stornoway Trust Ranger Service.
Sir James Matheson originally made his fortune in the opium trade of the Far East. The many species of plants and trees that you see on the castle grounds were planted in soil that he transported from the mainland. During the Second World War, Lews Castle served as a naval hospital and later it was used as a technical college.
When you walk the grounds of Lews Castle you will see more than 100 different species of trees. There are also exhibitions and a tearoom in the Woodland Centre that is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Saturday. The panoramic view that you get from this area will let you see the main part of Stornoway and the beginning of the Eye Peninsula. Gallows Hill is a part of the estate that contains a chambered cairn showing you that people have inhabited this area since the earliest times.
Opening Times
Visitors are no longer allowed inside the castle as it is now used for educational purposes.
The Stornoway Trust Ranger Service operates guided walks in and around the castle grounds.
It is our goal to provide only the most accurate and useful information on Lews Castle. If you feel we have overlooked an important part of this place, or have included errors such as spelling mistakes or typing errors, please do not hesitate to let us know here.
ScottishHolidays.net is currently accepting photographs of Lews Castle and would be delighted to publish your pictures of this place on our webpage for other fans of Lews Castle to enjoy. To submit a photo, please click here.
|
