Detail of porte-cochere

Description Detail of porte-cochere

Date 9/1964

Collection Records of the Scottish National Buildings Record, Edinburgh, Scotland

Catalogue Number RC 240

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 793814

Scope and Content Detail of porte-cochère, Lews Castle, Stornoway, Lewis, Western Isles This porte-cochère is at the base of the four-storeyed north tower which is part of Lews Castle. Porte-cochères are large and formal porches into which carriages can enter to provide a dignified entrance and to shelter their occupants from inclement weather. The square-plan porte-cochère is buttressed on either side of the pointed-arched openings. Lews Castle, a castellated mansion house, is built from local stone with imported cream-coloured ashlar dressings. It was begun in 1848 and finished in 1860, at a cost of £70,000. It was designed by Charles Wilson (1810-63), an architect from Glasgow who had trained in David Hamilton's (1768-1843) office. Lewis and Harris are both parts of the same island, collectively known as 'the Long Island', which is the most northerly in the Outer Hebrides. Together they are about 95km in length and around 32km at the widest point. Most of Lewis is quite low-lying, whereas Harris is mountainous. Stornoway is situated on the east coast of Lewis and is the only major town in the Western Isles. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

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