Western Isles Lottery team plans rescue for iconic Stornoway horse Miss Porter

The iconic horse, Miss Porter, is situated beside the Porter’s Lodge in Bayhead Street and has been needing attention for some time now.

She is no longer the beautiful showpiece she once was and the lottery team is now endeavouring to provide Miss Porter with a makeover.

Miss Porter was the name selected by the Amenity Trust from a list of over 30 names suggested by the public in 2010.

Originally installed by Stornoway Amenity Trust back in 2010, the horse was made by Stornoway Trust’s forester Iain Murray, and painted by Jane Macintosh.

It has been admired by many over the years and was a pleasing talking point for visiting tourists.

However, Miss Porter is now showing her age, being rather weather beaten, and her original carriage, excavated from George Cladd’s croft in Marybank, has unfortunately fallen into disrepair.

The Lottery Team, in partnership with Stornoway Trust, plans to repair Miss Porter with some cosmetic surgery. In addition, the team has commissioned a local artist to repaint the horse to showcase her at her finest again.

Sadly, the original carriage was assessed as being beyond repair. However, Tony Robson, of the lottery team, sourced a suitable replacement in Halifax and it is currently on its way to the Island.

The Lottery Team is grateful to Woody at Express Parcels for waiving the expensive transportation costs which would otherwise have further delayed the project.

The Drawn Driving Carriage/Trap is described as being “an exceptional example of an original horse-drawn Victorian Ralli Car” by its previous owner, an antique dealer.

The cart, it is believed, has spent most of its life in Lincolnshire.

From historic articles, the Car originates from 1898 but no explanation can be found as to the origin of this vehicles’ name, nor why it is called Car and not Cart, but it became very fashionable. It is an off-shoot of the Dog Cart.

Emma Fraser, secretary of the Lottery Team, said: “This is truly an example of the community coming together to improve the aesthetics of the town.

“Thanks to everyone’s efforts, we will once again have a beautiful show piece at the heart of a very busy thoroughfare.”

As well as expressing their gratitude to Stornoway Trust and Woody’s Express Parcels, the Western Lottery team members also thanked every single supporter of the Western Isles Lottery who, through their commitment, continue to make projects like this happen throughout the islands.

To join the Wetsern Isles Lottery and help support the good work across the islands, log on to the website www.westernisleslottery.co.uk.