Stornoway – A University Town

“This is one of the most exciting developments for the Western Isles in many years and demonstrates that when both local and regional partners work together there are mutual benefits for the whole island economy. We are confident that the new facilities will help to boost the local economy and help us to develop the college and university and achieve our objective of encouraging more people to come to our islands to live, work, study and carry out research” said College Principal, Mr Iain Macmillan. “We are committed to help to build capacity and confidence in the local economy and to reverse the out-migration trends from the islands that have become the norm. Amongst the ways of achieving this is by making more people aware of what our islands have to offer” added Mr Macmillan.

Amongst the facilities which are within 10 minutes walking distance of the new student accommodation are the following:

• Lews Castle College UHI – Stornoway campus
• Local shops, a supermarkets and filling stations
• The local Bowling and Golf clubs which are located within two hundred metres of the new student accommodation
• All weather football pitches
• Stornoway rugby pitch and other grass football pitches
• Stornoway Harbour with its opportunities to join canoeing, sailing and sea angling clubs
• Tennis, Badminton and other Sports facilities located at the local Bridge Centre
• Lews Castle Grounds – with its extensive range of walks, network of cycle paths and Woodlands Centre restaurant
• An Lanntair Gallery, theatre and cinema
• Sports centre, swimming pool and athletics track
• Wide range of pubs, restaurants and other “eateries” to meet a wide range of tastes and budgets

“Stornoway offers an impressive range of social, recreational and sporting facilities. When you then add the rivers, beaches, hills and moorland that is easily accessible in the rest of Lewis and Harris we can offer students an excellent and safe environment in which to learn and grow. At the same time an influx of new students will enhance the membership of local groups and clubs, particularly those related to sports and recreation. I am sure that they would find a warm welcome in the town and island and that they will be a great boost to both the economy and community. We have an excellent opportunity to develop the University town for the benefit of the islands” added Mr Macmillan

Comhairle nan Eilean Council Leader, Angus Campbell, welcomed the new initiative and said “Our council and local partners are committed to work together to build on the facilities available locally to attract people to study, train, live and work in our islands and the new accommodation helps us all to build on the theme of “Stornoway – a University Town”. The other facilities which the University and Lews Castle College continue to expand throughout our islands will also help us to support the development of the local economy”

The Lews and Harris Sports Council also expressed support, for the new student accommodation which offers mutual benefits to new students and local sports clubs. “The Lewis and Harris Sports Council and member clubs are delighted to hear about this new facility and look forward to inviting new students to join our clubs and take advantage of the wide range of sporting opportunities available locally. This will not only be of benefit to the students but it will help us to continue to develop sporting opportunities in Lewis and Harris“ said Lesley Graham – Lewis and Harris Sports Council Chairperson

Stornoway Councillor Charlie Nicolson (Stornoway South) welcomed the new plans for the student accommodation development. ”This new development will inject new life into the town and complement the previous investment with the College and UHI have invested in the campus buildings which they have built throughout the Islands and the facilities at the Bridge Centre in Stornoway” said Councillor Nicolson. “These modern facilities will bring the number of student facilities available in Stornoway to over 70 places – which by any measurement is very significant to both the economic and educational development of Stornoway and our Islands “ he added.

The planning application has been submitted by Cityheart consultants and the new accommodation is scheduled for completion by August 2017.