The launch of the Stornoway Waterwheel project and the restoration of the Lady Matheson monument and garden in the Castle Grounds in Stornoway took place on Monday afternoon. (November 1) They are joint projects being carried out by the Stornoway Amenity Trust and the landlords, the Stornoway Trust. A funding package in excess of £70,000 was secured to re-establish the view of the marble monument and the outlook from it, and to repair the angel monument which has a bust representation of Sir James Matheson the former proprietor of Lewis, who made his money in the opium trade.
INSCRIPTIONS ON THE MONUMENT
The history of Sir James Matheson is detailed in inscriptions on the monument erected in July 1880 by his widow. Lady Matheson herself died at the age of 77 on 19th March, 1896.
