Tina Anne Murray: "Momentous occasion"

Their return was the fruit of a long-running campaign by islanders who have been anxious to see the pieces back on Lewis.

Tina Anne Murray, of the Uig Heritage Trust, described the day as a momentous occasion that many had thought would never actually come.

She added: "We are just delighted that the trustees of the British Museum have had the confidence in our small organisation and agreed to the loan.

'Special poignancy'

"I think there's a special poignancy in having them displayed here, so near the site where they lay hidden for so long."

Part of a collection insured for the sum of �3m, the most famous chess pieces in the world were brought to the centre under police escort.

The pieces were found 170 years ago

The exhibition coincided with a major conference charting the importance of the Western Isles in the Viking world.

The six pieces will remain on Lewis, at Stornoway museum, for the next six months.

One of Uig's residents, Dr John Hay, said he was glad to see their return.

He said: "The locals can see them and we really rejoice that they're home, even if it's for one day, they're welcome and we hope to see them again."

A spokesperson for the British Museum said the pieces could return for a second visit to the place they were found in the future.