The final instalment of a funding package to transform Lews Castle has been unveiled.

The Castle on the Isle of Lewis is being made into a Museum for the Western Isles.

Finance Secretary John Swinney confirmed £1.8m from the European Regional Development Fund would be invested in the project.

Around a total of £14m is being spent on restoring and converting the property, which has been closed for almost 25 years. When completed, the museum will use Gaelic as its first language and will encourage people of all ages to tell and share their stories of island life.


The permanent displays will also include six of the world famous Lewis Chessmen.

The development will create a new resource for academics and family researchers as well as local schools and colleges.

Mr Swinney said: "This exciting project can transform the way we engage with the unique heritage of the Western Isles. It will encourage us all to get involved and make the most of the excellent new resources which build on the rich oral heritage of the area.

"The development will create new jobs, in both the short and the long term, and contribute more than three million pounds to the local economy during the construction phase alone.

"The tourism industry will benefit from this, with people traveling from far and wide to find out about their ancestors or to learn about the history of the Western Isles and their way of life."

(JP/CD)