Lews Castle is a Victorian era castle located west of the town of Stornoway, Isle of Lewis, Scotland. It was built in the years 1844–51 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. His nephew built Duncraig Castle in Plockton.
The castle is used mostly for events and therefore only a few rooms on the ground floor are open to visitors. And there is a local museum that has, amongst other artifacts, 6 of the famous Lewis Chessmen.
The Lolaire sank with great loss of life at the entrance to Stornoway harbour on the Isle of Lewis on 1 January 1919. The sinking of the yacht, which was originally the Amalthaea but renamed in 1918, was one of the worst maritime disasters in UK waters during the 20th century. Although the Iolaire struck rocks just yards from shore, at least 201 men out of the 283 people on board perished — most of whom were Royal Navy Reservists returning home at the end of WWI — because of the appalling weather and sea conditions.
Losing so many men, so suddenly was devastating for the community. This mural brings the pain home.
James Matheson’s widow built this memorial which is located on the castle grounds. The trails were excellent, the directional signage, not so much but every so often an overlook put me on the right path. I’m sure mountain bikers go wild on these trails.
And a thoughtfully placed solar powered loo.
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