A £2.2m, 5 year project aimed at improving the appearance of the town centre of Stornoway is underway.

The Townscape Heritage Initiative will involve various renovation projects including grant aiding the repair and restoration of individual buildings.

One of the first projects to be addressed is the repaving of Cromwell Street between North Beach and South Beach with Caithness stone. The opportunity is being taken to replace the ‘pyramid’ with a new feature which can act as a prominent central seating and meeting point. A competition is being held to select a new feature. Submitted proposals will be on display in An Lanntair during the next couple of weeks for viewing by the public who are being asked to give their views.

Also in progress is a project to interpret the castle and its grounds; this is expected to be completed and in place by the end of the summer and will be for the benefit of visitors and residents alike. Over the next few years there should be a marked transformation in the appearance of the town centre.