Western Isles Schools Project (WISP)
The Nicolson Institute
The Nicolson Institute is the largest Secondary School in the Western Isles, located on Springfield Road in Stornoway. The current campus comprises various buildings and extends over both sides of the road. During 2007 and 2008, various options for the school were explored by Sgoiltean Ùra and Faithful + Gould. These included a new build on various sites in Stornoway and a new build on the current site. Following evaluation of the options, the Comhairle agreed that the best solution for the school would be a new building on the Springfield Road campus, along with the refurbishment of Springfield North (the Pentland Building). Matheson Hall will be reused by the Comhairle but it will not form part of the school’s accommodation.
When the new building is complete, the current school accommodation, other than the Pentland Building, will be demolished and the area used for bus parking, sports facilities and landscaping.
The new school will ensure that pupils do not have to travel from one building to another for classes as all the departments will be under one roof, which has been one of the Education Department’s aspirations throughout the design process. The Pentland Building will be linked to the school via a covered walkway and will still be used for Technical classes.
The Nicolson Institute will have a new full size grass playing field to the rear of the school and a Multi Use Games Area in addition to the existing All Weather pitch. The school will still have access to the Sports Centre and will have use of the games hall and swimming pool.
Nicolson Institute Main Building
Pentland Building
Aerial View of the new Campus
Main Entrance to new Nicolson Institute
New Nicolson Institute & Matheson Hall from Francis Street Junction
Matheson Courtyard
Pentland Building, Courtyard and new Building
