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Lewis Hub plans breathe new life into Stornoway hotel

News imageBBC A view over part of Stornoway harbour to the Caledonian Hotel. It is three storeys tall and cars are parked at the front of the building. BBC
The Caledonian Hotel has been lying empty since it closed in 2013

The Caledonian Hotel in Stornoway is set to be brought back into use for the first time in more than a decade.

The landmark building overlooking the harbour will be refurbished to provide accommodation for workers involved in SSEN Transmission's Lewis Hub project.

The multi-million pounds hub will help to connect Western Isles wind farms to the mainland electricity network.

The Caledonian Hotel is expected to be later reopened to the public and bring long-term benefits to the local community, according to SSEN Transmission.

The refurbishment of the hotel, which closed in 2013, is scheduled to begin this spring.

Workers from contractor R J McLeod will be moved in next summer.

The hotel will have 20 bedrooms as well as a bar and restaurant on a redesigned ground floor with views across the harbour.

The new owners, the Macarthur family, said that the Caledonian Hotel's absence had been keenly felt on the town's waterfront and they were delighted this regeneration project was coming to fruition.

News imageSSEN Transmission This image shows what the central part of the refurbished Caledonian Hotel could look like following refurbishment. There are large windows on the ground floor, some attractive plants outside and a large sign with the hotel's name. The building has a back and white frontage.SSEN Transmission
A visualisation of how the hotel will look after it is refurbished

SSEN Transmission said it was committed to creating a positive legacy from its Lewis Hub project.

Project director Callum Wardrop said: "Not only will this provide accommodation for personnel involved in the construction of the Lewis Hub, it will also bring the hotel back into long-term use."

He added that it would ease pressure on Stornoway's housing and tourism markets while delivering a valuable community asset.