Stornoway Historical Society hosts the launch of its latest publication ‘A Considerable Town: Stornoway’s Built Heritage’ in An Lanntair Arts Centre on Thursday 22 June at 5.00pm. This new book looks at the development of the town from a new perspective, that of its buildings and architecture, highlighting features and traditions of building that give the town a highly distinctive character. At the core of the book is the previously untold story of the expansion of the town in the 20th century, from the villas built by affluent merchants to the provision of social housing to meet the demand for good quality homes from throughout Lewis. Research was undertaken both nationally and locally by writers, Catherine MacKay, Ian Wilson, and Jessie Murray, in this celebration of the unique architectural heritage of the Stornoway townscape.
This handsomely produced book, designed by Muriel Mharie MacLeod and lavishly illustrated, sets the scene with a look at development of the town in the 19th century, a period of intense commercial and civic growth, when the present-day Cromwell Street took shape and buildings such as the Sail Loft, Lewis Hotel, and Amity House indicated growing prosperity. The coming of the Matheson’s in 1844 gave further impetus to development. Fascinating maps of the era, only recently publicly available online, make it possible to trace growth from a village to the town we know today.
“We expect this book to appeal to a wide audience, but particularly to those who lived in the new communities created after the war and beyond”, said Malcolm Macdonald, Chair of Stornoway Historical Society, “communities such as Kennedy Terrace, Manor Park, and the Cearns. We hope that, as well as adding to our knowledge of Stornoway, ‘A Considerable Town’ will help foster a sense of belonging and an appreciation of our unique identity”. The society acknowledges with gratitude the contribution made by architects, planners, builders, and residents consulted by the writers, as well as the assistance given by Point and Sandwick Trust in printing the book.
The book retails at £20 and will be available at the launch, in local bookshops and online from www.stornowayhistoricalsociety.org.uk/publications