Lews Castle

Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom

Lews Castle was built in the years 1847-1857 as a country house for Sir James Matheson who had bought the whole island a few years previously with his fortune from the Chinese Opium trade. It was designed by the Glasgow architect Charles Wilson.

In 1918, the Lewis estate including the castle was bought by industrialist Lord Leverhulme from the Matheson family. He gave the castle to the people of Stornoway parish in 1923.

During World War II the Castle was taken over as accommodation for air and ground crew of 700 Naval Air Squadron, who operated a detachment of six Supermarine Walrus aircraft from a slipway at Cuddy Point in the Grounds. The base was referred to as HMS Mentor.

After the war, the Castle was also used for accommodation for students of Lews Castle College in the 1950s.

References:

Wikipedia

Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

Address

Stornoway Harbour 10, Outer Hebrides, United Kingdom

See all sites in Outer Hebrides

Details

Founded: 1847-1857
Category: Castles and fortifications in United Kingdom

More Information

en.wikipedia.org
www.lews.uhi.ac.uk

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Matt Dale (3 years ago)
Closed since March 2020 due to COVID. Very beautiful especially in the sunshine. Nice park to walk a dog in but must be kept on lead. The best view of the castle in my opinion is from the other side of the harbour (also where I saw a seal

jamie dooley (3 years ago)
Would love inside it

Ms Janice Lewis ש (3 years ago)
Lewis legends Family Project looks forward to our visit with you this month. An awesome location. A Lewis family is project

Joseph Markey (3 years ago)
Wonderful place, the grounds are amazing, a must have walk

Sharon Clark (4 years ago)
Only visited grounds and cafe. Lovely to cycle round. Food very nice choices.

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