Lews Castle Porter's Lodge, Castle Grounds, Stornoway

Castellated gateway and lodges (all integrated) to Lews Castle, probably designed by Charles Wilson in mid 19th century. Rubble, ashlar dressings; windows boarded 1991 (formerly casements). Symmetrical main front to town, tall, square-plan and buttressed gatehouse with high, pointed-arched carriage pend underneath, 2-leaf gates of yett-type; to either side, a lower square plan single bay lodge, each with arched bipartite, parapet base also arched over. Parapetted low quadrant walls either side. Treatment of lodges not identical on rear elevation; entrance in stone-roofed full-width low outshot at left (north). (Historic Scotland)

August 1997: The castle grounds are assessed by the Garden History Society, which intimates that they would almost certainly be included in the revised Inventory of Gardens and Designed Landscapes in Scotland currently being compiled. March 2000: Local planners are unaware of any change. August 2000: External inspection reveals that some minor remedial work has been carried out. The lodges exist in reasonable condition. 11 September 2003: The Stornoway Gazette reports that buildings within Stornoway Outstanding Conservation Area are eligible for up to 50% grant assistance to help with their restoration using traditional materials and building skills. Possible grant applications can be discussed with local planners.

October 2008: External inspection finds the lodge is now roofless although the masonry walls remain in fair condition. SCT understands that the interior is now ruinous. The Stornoway Trust carry out maintenance to ensure the structure is not a threat to public safety.

January 2009: SBA Architects have been retained by the Stornoway Trust to find an end use for the lodge. A scheme is being prepared for submission for funding applications, seeking to convert the building into a self-catering holiday let. Lewis and Harris Building Preservation Trust have also been looking at future uses. Discussions have taken place with Lews Castle Trust who are encouraging private developers to look at new uses for the lodge.

February 2009: The Stornoway Gazette reports on Lews Castle Trust seeking a development partner for the Castle and are inviting formal expressions of interest.

March 2009: The Press and Journal reports several developers have expressed interest in plans to regenerate the Castle and policies.

March 2010: External inspection finds the former lodge generally sound but remains roofless.

January 2011: BBC news website reports on a number of heritage projects having secured funding from the Scottish Government. Lews Castle is noted has securing £500,000.

7 May 2015: Listed Building Consent for the restoration of the gates and lodge is being sought ref: 15/00129/LBC.

12 June 2015: External inspection finds the building remains in much the same condition as seen previously - subject to slow deterioration. The building is no longer the main entrance to Lews Castle.

8 April 2019: Listed Building Consent for restoration and creation of a community-use room is being sought ref: 19/00098/LBC.

27 September 2021: Planning permission (20/00542/PPD) conditionally granted for installation of parapet railings on both sides of the Porter's Lodge bridge and public realm enhancements, including Caithness paving and removal of self-seeded saplings.