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Interesting news · Thursday 30 July
Calanais Visitor Centre reopens after £10.1 million redevelopment
Outer Hebrides · from calanais.org
Photograph · calanais.org
The redeveloped Calanais Visitor Centre on the Isle of Lewis opened for a preview season on 1 July, ahead of a full launch later this year. The £10.1 million project was funded by the UK and Scottish Governments, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Inside, a new exhibition traces 5,000 years of history at the stones, built with research from Southampton University, St Andrews University and Sabhal Mòr Ostaig. The café seats 70 and serves local produce, and the shop sells crafts made across the Hebrides.
Parking has been added on site for the first time, with six electric vehicle charging spaces, four accessible bays and thirty-three general spaces. The Calanais Standing Stones themselves have stood on the west coast of Lewis for around 5,000 years.
A week-long survey by the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust logged 129 sightings of six marine species, working from the Sea of the Hebrides out past Barra, Vatersay and Mingulay.
Kisimul Castle is open again. The Macneil stronghold sits on a rock in Castlebay and getting out to it means a boat from the jetty, which is half the appeal.
