Scotland

Very early on in my interest in the Isles of the Outer Hebrides of Scotland I learnt that a great many famous and rich people can trace their roots back to these small islands in the Atlantic ocean. The first name that I heard that was associated with the islands was Donald Trump closely followed by Lord Leverhulme (who helped set up Lever Brothers with his father and brother). The later interested me most as I had a little knowledge of his family and that of his wife but, most recently, it is hard to avoid missing the sight of Mr Trump as his plans for a luxury golf complex in Aberdeen are forced forwards (I may let loose my opinion on this matter at a later date).

If ever you get the chance to read of the exploits of Lord Leverhulme in the Outer Hebrides please do so as it is a fascinating read and helps greatly in understanding a most influencial man of his time. Until the recent release of a handful of books it was almost impossible to discover things about Leverhulme’s time on the Isle of Lewis, even in the Lady Lever gallery & museum in Port Sunlight only the town of Stornoway is mentioned once on a document fixed to a wall not far from the floor – when I discovered it I got the general feeling that to this day the islands are still a taboo subject best left alone.

Although many would say that Leverhulme attempted to force his opinions on the islanders he was, in his own strange way, really trying to do what was best for the islanders. However, when he realised that his plans had no future he decided to gift all his assets on Lewis to the people of the island. Amongst the lands and items gifted was Lews Castle. Lews Castle is really just a fortified house and the real castle of Lewis was reduced to rubble and eventually built over (pier one stands roughly where is once stood).

Around the time that Donald Trump began voicing his interest in creating a golf resort in Scotland, some folk in Stornoway suddenly began to take note. I am sure they grew more and more excited when they heard he was visiting his family on Lewis. There were rumours that he was going to be investing in Lews Castle but nothing much transpired.

Attempts had been made to gain funding for the renovation of Lews castle, it is literally falling apart and it will cost £millions just to fix the damn roof! Unfortunately plans to develop it into a hotel and museum failed to gain public support and the dream started to fade a little. However, as soon as the name Trump appears it would seem that these plans have, yet again, been cobbled together again with plans to apply once more for public funding.

I can’t help but feel sick at the thought of Lews castle becoming, once again, the playground of the rich and famous! It also makes me sick that there are clear pleas for financial support from Donald Trump. Although he could most probably afford it I doubt very much if Mr Trump would invest in such a venture. Poor old Leverhulme tried his hardest to help the island but he put all of his energies into working, almost, against the people. Many consider the island experience part of his downfall and even though there were clear external factors this belief is still strong today. Would a modern person of a similar type to Leverhulme really want to repeat the scenario?

What really makes this whole thing so amusing/sickening/annoying, depending on your point of view, is that Lord Leverhulme gave Lews Castle to the people for the service of the people. He clearly wanted the locals to have it made available to them. A small room with a few artifacts called a museum is hardly that as I am sure that most of the building would be passed over to the hotel development.

However, when Lord Leverhulme gifted Lews Castle to the people of Stornoway and the Isle of Lewis he clearly stated that is was never to be used as a hotel – interesting

As always, I bet there will be a way around the agreement and the intentions of a kind man with his heart in the right place will be ignored and trampled upon. He may well have been unable to understand crofting but he understood business and I repeat – he clearly stated that it should NEVER be used as a hotel, I think I would consider his intentions carefully if I was to be of a mind to invest in the current venture!