Work is to begin on a £1 million museum renovation project on the Isle of Lewis.

Building contractor Neil Mackay & Co will start carrying out works at Sgoil Chrois in mid-March.

Comunn Eachdraidh Nis said the museum will be closed for the whole of the construction stage, however the archive, café and gift shop will continue to operate during the spring and summer periods, with changes to site access and parking in agreement with the contractor.

Initial phases of works will focus on bringing the former schoolhouse back into use as a history archive and office, plus converting the former canteen into a museum store and workshop. Later stages will involve expanding the museum and remodelling the café and kitchen facilities, with a function room and exhibition area also created in the former school.

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Funding for the project has been secured from a number of sources, including Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, Western Isles Development Trust and the Outer Hebrides LEADER Programme. Other key partners include the Scottish Government, Museums Galleries Scotland, TESCO Bags of Help, the Garfield Weston Foundation and The Gordon, Ena Baxter Foundation and the Comunn Eachdraidh Nis itself.

Annie Macsween, Chairperson of Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, said: "The renovation of these buildings has been a goal since the organisation relocated to the former Cross Primary School in 2011. Comunn Eachdraidh Nis has a strong track-record and reputation for delivering innovative projects over many years.

"It is a great example of what can be achieved when a community works together to develop a facility designed to benefit themselves and visitors to the area."

Ruairidh Moir, architect for the project, said: "It has been a great privilege to be involved in this very exciting and transformative project for Comunn Eachdraidh Nis. We feel that the project as envisaged will be of huge benefit to the wider community, and also secure the former Sgoil Chrois building for future generations."

(LM/MH)