In this part of our guide, we will discuss the town of Stornoway (Steòrnabhagh), the main town of the Outer Hebrides, and the capital of Lewis and Harris in Scotland.
Situated on the Isle of Lewis, the northern part of Lewis and Harris, the largest island of the Western Isles archipelago, Stornoway is the third-largest island town in Scotland.
Neolithic and Bronze Age ritual monuments imply that the area was inhabited as early as 6,000 years ago, although the town itself was founded by the Vikings in the early 9th century. The Old Norse name Stjórnavágr translates to "steering bay," referring to its strategic location for seafarers.
The town grew around a sheltered natural harbour, which attracted Viking seafarers, Swedish shipbuilders, and Dutch and English fishing fleets.
The Norse dominated the Hebrides from around 800 to 1266 AD.
In the High Middle Ages, the Nicolson family constructed a castle in Stornoway. The Macleods controlled the island from the 14th to the 17th centuries, a period marked by clan feuds, rebellions, and power struggles. At some point in the mid-1500s, the ancient MacLeod castle was destroyed by cannon fire when troops under the command of the Duke of Argyle assailed it.
By the early 17th century, the islanders firmly resisted government attempts to curtail traditional shipping rights, as was an attempt by King James VI of Scotland to establish a Scottish trading company on the island. As a result, James VI transferred the Isle of Lewis to the MacKenzies of Seaforth in 1610.
In 1844, the MacKenzies sold the Isle of Lewis to Sir James Matheson, who constructed the current Lews Castle on a hill overlooking the bay of Stornoway. Although the original Stornoway Castle ruins had survived in the bay until then, Matheson destroyed them in 1882 to expand the harbour. Today, only a few remains exist, hidden beneath Pier No. 1, close to the shore.
Between 1844 and 1918, Sir James Matheson invested in the island's infrastructure, including building a new lighthouse, fish-curing sheds, and a steamboat quay, which enhanced the town's shipping and trade industries.
Historically, Stornoway's economy was driven by fishing, shellfish being a significant source of income. The town's fishing industry remains important today, with prawns, scallops, lobster, and crab being exported throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. Fish farming, mainly of prawns and salmon, also significantly contributes to the economy.
Besides fishing, the town has long supported textile production, particularly Harris Tweed. Stornoway's weaving industry was established in the 19th century and remains integral to the local economy. Other sectors, such as quarrying, sawmilling, and renewable energy, have also contributed to the diversification of the town's economy.
Tourism has significantly contributed to the island's economy in recent years, exploiting its long history and location.
Notable buildings in Stornoway include Lews Castle. Built between 1844 and 1851, the Victorian-era castle is on the western edge of the town. Originally a country house for Sir James Matheson, the building served the military during World War II. In 1953, Lews Castle College was formed on the castle grounds, with the castle itself becoming student housing. Then, the building was left disused for several decades and is now owned by the local council, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar. Opened in 2016, the renovated structure includes a museum, cultural centre, ballroom, and cafe.
The Stornoway Town Hall and the Stornoway Public Library are other significant structures, while the An Lanntair Arts Centre showcases local art and hosts cultural events.
Distinguishable neighbourhoods or areas of town include Stornoway Town Centre, Goathill, Manor Park, Plasterfield, Lews Castle Grounds, The Cearns, Marybank, Laxdale, Sandwick, Stornoway Airport, Newvalley, Steinish, and Newmarket.
Local cuisine includes Stornoway black pudding, which is a gourmet black putting that was granted PGI status in 2013 to prevent inferior puddings produced elseway from being marketed as Stornoway" or "Stornoway Style." Stornoway kippers and Stornoway smoked salmon are also produced in the town. One of the last working brick kilns in the UK is at the establishment of Stornoway Fish Smokers on Shell Street.
Stornoway is home to the Nicolson Institute. Founded in 1873, it is the largest school in the Western Isles and the only secondary school in Lewis. Stornoway Primary School provides primary education. Lews Castle College, part of the University of the Highlands and Islands, is in Stornoway. The town also hosts a small campus of the University of Stirling.
Government entities, businesses, industries, schools, churches, libraries, art galleries, historical places, organisations, attractions, and events in Stornoway are appropriate topics for this category.
Recommended Resources
Situated in the centre of Stornoway, Scotland, the hotel is where the current monarch, Kind Charles, aged 14, once bought a cherry brandy after giving his security detail the slip. The hotel is about a ten-minute drive from the airport and a few minutes' walk from main public transport links, such as the ferry and bus terminals. The small inn features 16 en-suite rooms, along with its Harbour view restaurant and lounge bar. A gallery of photographs, directions, and contacts.
https://www.crownhotelstornoway.com/
The popular establishment is located in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland. Part of the Scottish Salmon Company, Harris & Lewis is known for producing high-quality smoked Scottish salmon using traditional methods. The smokehouse offers a range of smoked salmon products, including Native Hebridean and Harris & Lewis Smoked Scottish Salmon, which is hand-cured with sea salt and demerara sugar and then smoked over Scotch whisky cask chippings.
https://www.harrisandlewis.co.uk/
HebHideaways offers self-catering accommodations in Stornoway, known as "Mo Eilean," a restored Victorian home that can sleep up to six people and includes a master double bedroom, a twin bedroom, and a double pull-out sofa bed. Amenities include free fibre broadband, a laptop docking station, a monitor, a printer, a television, a Blu-Ray player, a sound system, a PS4, and a selection of books, games, and jigsaws. A patio garden offers outdoor seating, including a barbecue.
https://www.hebhideaways.com/
Established in 1992, the Historical Society promotes public education about the history, heritage, and culture of Stornoway, Scotland, and the Isle of Lewis. The organisation preserves the town's history through exhibitions, public lectures, and publications. Regularly hosting exhibitions at the Stornoway Town Hall, they also organise a winter lecture series and other events, and publishes a journal and books on local subjects. An online shopping area is included on the site.
https://stornowayhistoricalsociety.org.uk/
Stornoway Reformed Presbyterian Church
Located at the Bridge Community Centre, Bayhead Embankment, Stornoway, Scotland, the congregation meets for Sunday services at 11:00 am and 6:30 pm and on Thursdays at 7:30 at the Gospel Hall in Bayhead. Its mission, a statement of faith, and an introduction to the pastor are set forth. The church's leadership is named, and a schedule of events, sermon audio and video archives, a minister's blog, notices and updates, and an online contact form are featured on the website.
https://stornowayrpcs.org/
Operated by Intermedia Services (Stornoway) LTD, the website connects the island communities of the Western Isles, highlighting key events and sharing positive local stories. The site also provides local news, information, job listings, marketplace advertisements, and community events. Other resources include funeral notices, family notices, business advertisements, church service notices, a classified section, advertising opportunities, and an online contact form.
https://www.welovestornoway.com/
