Historic Lews Castle in Stornoway to appear on new TV series after £4.6m makeover

Presented by Rick Edwards and airing from March 9, Great British Castle Rescue on Sky HISTORY will shine a light on magnificent buildings across the country, the important role they have played in our history, and the journey they have been on.

Lews Castle, in Stornoway, will feature on the programme which shows how the survival of many landmarks has been powered by National Lottery funding.

Since the first draw in 1994, National Lottery players have funded around £200 million of investments into castle restoration projects.

Simon Thurley, chairman of The National Lottery Heritage Fund, and one of the series’ historians, comments: “Castles are extraordinary witnesses to our history, but they are also vulnerable buildings that require constant care. Thanks to National Lottery players, around £200 million has been invested in restoring castles across the UK since 1994.

“By supporting the preservation of these remarkable places we’re also creating jobs and volunteering opportunities, ensuring important heritage skills are kept alive and contributing to the tourist economy of the area. From Lews to Hay, castles across the UK are there for everyone to enjoy, now and for generations to come.”

Lews has been transformed with £4.6 million of National Lottery funding, restoring its exterior and creating a museum dedicated to the stories of the Outer Hebrides.

Its history is deeply connected to the Lolaire disaster of 1919, when a ship carrying servicemen home from the First World War sank off the coast, claiming more than 200 lives and devastating the island of Lewis in a single night.

Many left the island to make lives for themselves elsewhere. Mary Anne MacLeod was one of those who left, moving to New York where she later started a family and had a son called Donald Trump.

The castle also tells the story of the famous Lewis Chessmen - part of a hoard of 93 medieval gaming pieces, likely crafted in Norway in the 12th or 13th century.

Viewers of the programme and castle fanatics alike are being invited to visit these incredible monuments for themselves as part of National Lottery Open Week.

Five stars of Great Castle Rescue; Lincoln Castle, Gwrych Castle, Norwich Castle, Hay Castle and Lews Castle, will all be opening their doors as part of National Lottery Open Week, running from March 7 to March 15.

Rick Edwards, presenter of Great British Castle Rescue, said: “I’ve always loved castles, but making this series showed me just how close some of these incredible buildings have come to being lost.

“Behind the battlements there are amazing stories of survival and restoration happening right now.

“I really hope the show inspires people to get out and explore these fantastic buildings for themselves.”

During National Lottery Open Week, anyone with a National Lottery ticket can enjoy free or discounted entry and special offers at hundreds of National Lottery-funded venues across the UK, including over 40 incredible castles across the UK.