THI Complementary Projects

These projects were primarily concerned with raising conservation awareness of the town’s built heritage and developing conservation skills. They underpinned and reinforced the overall objectives of the Townscape Heritage Initiative.

Conservation Awareness

Raising awareness of the conservation assets of Stornoway was carried out 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 were made to reach as wide an audience as possible.

If any group or organisation wishes to see a presentation please contact the Planning Service using the information given in the Contacts page .

Conservation Skills

The lack of traditional building skills in the islands was revealed when all the properties in the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) area were initially surveyed. The survey identified that there had been a lot of inappropriate repair work carried out 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 a one year period of the THI project in close conjunction with the local construction training group and the agency Construction Skills to implement this.

The programme was made possible with additional funding from the European Social Fund.