Townscape Heritage Initiative
Complementary Projects
These were run alongside the main projects and were primarily concerned with raising conservation awareness and developing conservation skills. They strengthened and reinforced the overall objectives of the project.
Conservation Awareness
The layman often does not realise or appreciate the significance of what he sees in passing through an urban landscape; in some cases it is, in a sense, ‘familiarity breeds contempt’. At the same time people just do not look around them beyond what they need to know in carrying out their daily tasks unless their attention is specifically drawn to features, etc.
Awareness of the conservation assets of Stornoway has been done by a variety of means. At the simplest the Comhairle issued press releases of the progress being made with the various major projects, emphasising the benefits realised. At the more specific lectures/presentations were made to both individual groups and to the general public highlighting specific features. Efforts have been made to reach as wide an audience as possible. These presentations will continue throughout the life of the project and possibly beyond as the importance of conservation in Stornoway will remain.
If any group or organisation wishes to see a presentation please contact the Townscape Heritage Initiative Project Manager using the information given in the Contacts page .
Conservation Skills
There is a lack of traditional building skills in the islands. This was revealed when all the properties in the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) area were surveyed externally. The survey revealed that there had been a lot of inappropriate repair work carried thus eroding the historic fabric of the town.
The Lews Castle Walls Project, as well as securing the repair of a significant length of the walls bordering the inner harbour, also provided training in the use of lime mortar and masonry for several employees of the contractor.
This was part of a series of training events for traditional skills such as use of lime mortar/wash, leadwork, repair of sash and case windows, etc. which were presented over the last year. The THI project team worked in close conjunction with the local construction training group and the agency Construction Skills to implement this. The programme was also made possible with additional funding from the European Social Fund.
The programme has now almost been completed.
