Lews Castle

Self-catering accommodation · Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Lews Castle

Self-catering accommodation · Na h-Eileanan an Iar

Lews Castle Grounds, Stornoway HS2 0XP, United Kingdom

Highlights

Restored castle with museum, cafe, whisky bar, and grounds

Lews Castle Grounds, Stornoway HS2 0XP, United Kingdom Get directions

lews-castle.co.uk

@lewscastlebyttc

@afar

"Lews Castle If you’ve ever wanted to stay in a castle, this may be the place for you. Perched on a hill overlooking Stornoway’s inner harbor, this Gothic Revival palace is the former home of Sir James Matheson, who owned the entire Isle of Lewis in the 19th century. Over the years, Lews Castle has housed everyone from nobility and World War II hospital patients to college students and schoolchildren. Today, the upper floors are a warren of palatial, self-catering apartments where guests can sleep like royalty amid the turrets and towers. In addition to sweeping water views, rooms feature modern decor, spacious bathrooms, and authentic details like Harris tweed and Hebridean prints. On the ground floor, guests will find all manner of Victorian details, including a central hallway with star-filled ceilings. There’s also a gracefully restored ballroom, a tranquil family room, a café with handcrafted island dishes, and a whisky bar featuring single malts and occasional live music by local songstress Miss Irenie Rose. For those hoping to explore the Outer Hebrides, Lews Castle is perfectly positioned near everything from Luskentyre Sands to the Callanish Standing Stones."

The Essential Guide to the Hebrides

View Postcard for Lews Castle

David Calderon-Guthe

Google

Stayed here for two nights on Stornaway. A little separated from the rest of town it is connected by a short but lovely walk through the grounds. The rooms are spacious and well furnished. Breakfast is not included but there is a cafe on the ground floor open most days. Parking is plentiful. The castle itself is beautiful inside and out. It's lit up nicely at night making a good beacon to walk home from one of the many good restaurants nearby. It also doubles as an event, including weddings, and the rooms used are gorgeous.

Bridget Skinner

Google

We walked to the Lews Castle from Stornoway and spent longer there than we had intended walking around the vast gardens. The Castle was setting up for a wedding so we had a quick look inside. It looked very nice with huge rooms. The grounds are extensive and really well maintained for their size. Highly recommend visiting.

Kim

Google

A lovely castle and grounds. The attached museum is a fantastic place. At the time of our visit six of the Lewis Chessmen were on display. The cafe is also lovely. We had lovely soup served by young, friendly people.

Leon Roscoe

Google

A beautiful bit of architecture situated in a fascinatingly beautiful non-native area. There's a cafe inside, though I can't attest to its food. I was slightly dissapointed by the interior of the Castle itself (which this review is for) since its all converted over to a venue. Its still nice to look at though!

Colin I'Anson

Google

Engaging exhibition on life in the Hebrides that is in enjoyable chunks. The all-around scenery room is great and the stories of people who lived and left interesting. Did not see the castle as there was a wedding. Nice cafe and no charge for the museum. Good activity before catching the ferry.

Eva Brajkovic

Google

Very nice walking grounds with a castle in which there's a museum. The first floor is open to public, no entrance fee. There's a good cafe' there also offering some nice food. I ate sourdough with onion jam, eggs and avocado. Very tasty.

Tim Barfield

Google

Really nice castle with the ground floor open for tours. Upper floors are private residences. Interesting museum on site with a history of the island and culture. Small gift shop and café with coffee and light snacks.

Dawn Abbey

Google

Went for park run and grounds are a fine walk. The castle itself is a hotel, cafe and function hire place. Not really a castle that you can tour round. It's free to go in to the cafe and shop so you can see a little bit of it.