New images have been released providing a closer look at the ongoing refurbishment of the Caledonian Hotel in Stornoway, following an announcement in January that the property will reopen after being vacant for more than a decade.

The redevelopment of the landmark building, which overlooks the harbour, has been enabled by significant financial backing from SSEN Transmission. Under the initiative, the facility is undergoing a comprehensive upgrade to supply accommodation for personnel working on the construction of the Lewis Hub project, starting from summer 2027. The investment returns the hotel to active operation for the first time since it closed in 2013. Once the Lewis Hub construction phase concludes, the hotel is scheduled to reopen to the general public to deliver long-term economic benefits to the local area.

The new owners of the property, the Macarthur family, bring three generations of local experience in developing and operating accommodation businesses. Refurbishment works commenced in the spring after funding was finalized, and initial progress includes:

Internal strip-out well advanced – the building has been substantially cleared after more than a decade standing empty, laying the groundwork for the rebuilding and refurbishment phase to follow.

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Completion of revised floor plans, reconfiguring the building to increase the number of rooms and provide improved kitchen and dining facilities.

Works in the coming months will include the replacement of all plumbing and electrics as the building is prepared for full refurbishment.

The ground floor layout focuses on flexibility, establishing two large public spaces designed to adapt to future requirements for dining, functions, events, or alternative business and community uses. A high-specification, modern multi-functional kitchen forms a central part of this design, aiming to attract hospitality talent while supporting local training and employment. This educational focus has already drawn local interest, including a site visit in May by catering students from UHI North, West and Hebrides.

Callum Wardrop, SSEN Transmission's Project Director for the Lewis Hub, stated: "People are understandably curious about the work that's underway and deeply interested in the future of this local landmark, and these new images show the progress being made and provide an insight into what the hotel will look like when finished.

"Bringing the Caledonian Hotel back into use after such a long absence is just one of the positive legacies of constructing the Lewis Hub – boosting energy security with homegrown clean power – and it's great to see it taking shape."

The project forms part of a wider series of benefits delivered to the region by the Lewis Hub and Western Isles High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Link. Other local initiatives include backing early works for nearly 100 new homes at Branahuie, funding the Arnish Road upgrade, and supporting the expansion of Macaulay College. Additionally, SSEN Transmission has distributed more than £875,000 to Western Isles projects through its Regional Community Benefit Fund, and is currently consulting local residents regarding priorities for the new Lewis Hub Local Fund, which will allocate over £1 million to communities situated closest to the development.