Press Release
Issued Friday 14th October 2016
For Immediate Release
“Building Our Islands” – Outer Hebrides’ Favourite Buildings to Mark Festival of Architecture 2016
An Lanntair and The Western Isles Architects Group have been celebrating architecture in all its forms in the Outer Hebrides. From modern architecture to 17th Century ruins, the project asked people to take a look at the architecture that surrounds them. Photographer (and former Buzzcocks drummer) John Maher has been documenting the shortlisted buildings and other architectural gems for the project (images attached via Dropbox). Over 500 people
voted for their favourite building in the islands.
The ‘winners’ are:
– The Boatman’s Tower, Stornoway Isle of Lewis – Built in the grounds of Charles
Wilson’s Tudor Gothic Lews Castle (1847-51). The boatman ferried people to
Stornoway and the boatman’s tower housed his family.
– Nicolson Institute Clock Tower, Stornoway, Isle of Lewis (1873). An Italianate
tower is all that survives of the elementary and infant schools on Sandwick Road,
demolished amidst much controversy and replaced by a Sports Centre in 1975.
– Store Girnal, Rodel, Isle of Harris (18th century) tin roofed structure perched above the harbour. The rear enclosure, with thick, buttressed walls, suggests an earlier building, possibly that for which local blacksmith John Morrison was paid for ‘dressing the locks and bonds of Macleod’s keeping house and girnels at Roudill’ in 1708.
A schools projects with workshops and talks is planned and lighting installations and a series of community events will take place in March 2017.
Neil Baxter of the RIAS said: “Scotland’s remarkable geography is matched by a rich heritage of superb historic buildings which strongly resonate a sense of place. The fact that local people have been so much involved in this brilliant initiative demonstrates the keen interest in our built environment. The Festival of Architecture 2016 has been truly Scotland wide – it has galvanised communities the length and breadth of the land. John Maher, truly a ‘man o’pairts’ has produced a series of powerfully evocative images.”
Project Manager and Head of Marketing for An Lanntair, Kathryn Lamont Smith said: “We were completely overwhelmed by the response to the vote. It is wonderful to see so many people engaging with the project and learning about the wide range of architectural heritage throughout the Outer Hebrides. We are now looking forward to the next stage when we will be working with local schools and producing very special community events where we will light up the chosen buildings in a spectacular way. Building our Islands will provide the opportunity for everyone in the Outer Hebrides to learn more about buildings and heritage and create a legacy that will support and promote our unique architecture.”
The project highlights the importance of architecture and its impact on everyday life, on health and wellbeing and on the local economy. Educational booklets, in both English and Gaelic will be delivered throughout the Outer Hebrides.
The project is supported by HIE and CNES along a number of other funders, including Tighean Innse Gall, The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland and The Big Lottery Fund Awards for All.
For more information please visit the website at http://lanntair.com/creativeprogramme/building-our-islands/
or contact: kathryn@lanntair.com or on 01851708488
Notes to editors:
An Lanntair is a multi-disciplinary Arts Centre in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis.
For more information on WIAG please contact – sba@sbaarchitectsonline.co.uk
An Lanntair is working with a diverse partnership of organisations across the Isles of Lewis and Harris to deliver the Bealach Project, our Creative Place Award winning project. For more information please visit – http://lanntair.com/bealach
Building Our Islands is supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Comhairle nan Eilean Siar along a number of other funders, including Tighean Innse Gall and The Big Lottery Fund Awards for All.
For more information on the Festival of Architecture 2016 please visit
http://www.foa2016.com
The Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland (RIAS) was founded in 1916. With over 5000 members, the Incorporation is the professional body for all of Scotland’s chartered architects.