Lews Castle

Caisteal Leòdhais (Lews Castle) was built between 1847 to 1857 as a country house for Sir James Matheson, who had bought the whole Island (Isle Of Lewis) a few years previously, apparently with his fortune from the Chinese Opium trade!

In November 2011 Lews Castle was awarded £4.6 million by Heritage Lottery Fund to enable it to be converted into a bilingual museum and cultural centre.

A very good friend and I also had extensive wonderful plans for the renovation but unfortunately we just didn't have the spare millions it needed, heh. Och well... It will be great when it's finished, I'm sure! ;)